by Marco A. Guerritore
Editor in Chief Italian Fasteners magazine

A bright star has been shining in the skies of the Italian Fastener Industry for some time now.
Starting a new business in a sector like fasteners and bolts might seem outdated or even risky nowadays because many believe the market is already oversaturated.
However, Giovanni and Gabriele Pastorelli did not think so when they decided to lay the foundation stone of their new company, MITOS, in January 2012 on the outskirts of Milan. Undoubtedly, the key to their confidence lies in the expertise and exceptional management abilities of Giovanni Pastorelli. Having previously played a vital and strategic role in elevating the global presence of the Italian fastener industry, he possessed a profound knowledge of the sector.

MITOS started out as a company specialising in the marketing of screws and bolts. Over time, it expanded its operations to include manufacturing, thus fulfilling the expectations of the founders.
“Within a few years,” observes Gabriele Pastorelli, CEO of MITOS S.r.l, “the growing demand for our products made it necessary to move production to a larger operating site, accompanied by a major expansion of the machine park.”

In January 2018, MITOS relocated from its original manufacturing site in Rozzano to a larger facility in Cernusco sul Naviglio.
Today, MITOS is a well-established, ISO 9001 certified company with a functional organisational setup and, most importantly, a clear marketing strategy. This strategy allows the company to fulfil a unique role in the market, specialising in the production of metric screws ranging from M2 to M8, self-tapping screws, self-forming (trilobate) screws, Hilo thread screws and its core business of screws with single and double captive washers. 
The way the company is structured helps it offer high-quality services and products to its customers.

We met with Engineer Gabriele Pastorelli, who graciously answered a few of our questions.

How do you perceive the evolution of the fastener industry over time?

Mitos is too young to be able to answer this question comprehensively and using adequate criteria. 
However, we can see that there is a growing demand for a higher standard of quality, for people with more specialised skills and expertise and for continuous research aimed at enhancing production efficiency, sales and services within the industry.

The economic model solely focused on development is being challenged, particularly by environmental advocates. 

How can industrial production align with today’s obligation to protect the environment?

Paying more and more attention to consumption and waste management is undeniably pivotal in reconciling industrial production with environmental responsibility today.
Moreover, the search for new renewable energy sources and the adoption of production methods with minimal environmental impact can be key strategies.
Partnering with environmentally conscious collaborators and suppliers can promote cooperation, such as efforts to optimise the number of shipments and prioritise local sourcing wherever possible. In essence, a production development plan should focus on reducing environmental impact, particularly in terms of logistics and energy consumption.
Technological innovation stands as a potent ally in achieving this objective and addressing other pertinent concerns.

Competition from both European and non-European markets is intensifying in the fasteners sector. What marketing principles do you think can be used to overcome these challenges?

I believe fostering collaborations and synergies with influential companies in the fastener market is imperative to mitigate competition from both European and non-European manufacturers.
For this reason, working groups and sector associations, such as UPIVEB, are valuable and necessary for consolidating synergies and strengthening the strategies of each manufacturing company within the country.

Do you believe there are new markets for MITOS to explore?

Our main challenge right now is to consolidate the positive results we have achieved in the domestic market while capitalising on the potential for further expansion into the European market.
Currently, Mitos supplies products to Germany, Spain and France. One of our aims for the future is to increase our presence in these countries while also expanding into other markets.

There are a number of contingent difficulties associated with manufacturing in Italy, such as high taxes and energy prices.

How do you think it is possible to remain competitive while overcoming the difficulties we are facing in Italy?

What sets Italian companies apart is their flexibility and ability to meet specific customer and market requirements while ensuring that finished products maintain a high level of reliability. Proper planning could be an effective strategy for controlling company and production expenses and reducing waste. 
Certainly, at the political level, industry associations may need to engage in dialogue with governmental representatives to address issues like rising utility bills and taxes.

What kind of Europe do you expect to emerge from the upcoming elections?

My concern is that individual interests may continue to overshadow the collective interests, even within Europe. I fear that the upcoming elections may not bring about a shift in the mindset of decision-makers.

The current geopolitical scenario is definitely worrying. What impact do you think the ongoing hostility in the Middle East and Ukraine will have on the Italian economy as a whole and its operational trajectory?

We are already witnessing a general decrease in demand. Mitos has, thankfully, managed to carve out a niche in the market where the company’s objectives can still be achieved. However, we’re closely monitoring developments in neighbouring regions as part of our risk analysis. 
In any case, maintaining a lean company structure with controlled fixed costs has proven beneficial, maybe more than ever, given the geopolitical scenario you accurately describe as “worrying.”

Which managerial function do you believe is appropriate to assign to Trade Associations?

As I said before, Trade Associations could play a crucial role in engaging with government representatives in order to protect companies in the industry from increases in operating costs, direct and indirect expenses, taxes and other challenges beyond the control of individual companies.

What is your final wish to conclude this interview?

We obviously hope for a positive shift towards conflict resolution in Europe and beyond and for a revitalisation of the market in which we operate. This would empower companies like Mitos and others to enthusiastically pursue their projects with the success that comes from unwavering commitment and dedication to their craft.