Poletto repackaged
In an already difficult trading climate Poletto Group experienced a disastrous 2002, suffering from profound financial problems, culminating in a twenty day cessation of production at the Poletto tannery machine plant in San Pietro Mussolino. After a period where the survival of the tannery machine business became increasingly problematic with the users of some 4000 Poletto machines worldwide becoming fearful about spares and service, salvation came in the form of new shareholders.
Poletto has become Poletto Tecnology, restructured by a newly established company, Euroventilatori International, which has also absorbed Euroventilatori, a business previously part of Poletto Group. The directors and important shareholders are Walter Peretti, proprietor of Peretti tannery and Mario Tolio who manages the Tolio tannery, both located in what we loosely know as the Arzignano tannery district. None of the previously Poletto Group associated companies are involved in the new structure. The new owners of Poletto tecnology, it is reported, paid 11..2 million Euro for the fixed assets at San Pietro Mussolino along with the rest of the company’s assets.
Work at the San Pietro plant restarted on on the 17th February this year under the management of Achille Belloni, formerly the managing director of Euroventilatori. Belloni impresses. He would have retired but for the challenge of re-establishing brand leadership, at the rudder of the new or ganisation. We quote him as saying that the order book is full right up to the end of August despite that competitors appear to have moved into a perceived gap left by the problems at Poletto. Numbers at San Pietro are down to 70 from 100 through early retirement and some downsizing. The Poletto brand, well established since 1969, remains strong, Belloni affirms, justifying a 13 – 14 million Euro sales forecast for 2003, half of which will be taken up by the domestic market and the rest exported chiefly to
The range of machines to be manufactured has been rationalised to three models of fleshing machines, two splitters, three splitters, three shavers with variants and three setting out machines. Other equipment comprises the spraying lines with finish dryers and fume scrubbers, four models of milling drums as well as the toggle dryers.. The prospective input of the investors intimately connected with the local tanning industry regarding further development and research is seen as a significant bonus. A major plank of Belloni’s policy is technical support for the existing customers with their 4000 Poletto machines and an after sales service backed by a strong team of experienced technicians.
