2016
Concept Triple-I Italian Imaginative Innovators is a series of conversations between Italian business leaders and prominent British editors, organised by the Italian Embassy. The meetings are set up to promote dialogue between Italian business champions and other experts on economic and financial matters. Italy is the eighth largest world economy, the second largest European exporter, a country that retains a large percentage of the world s market share in trade. Italian companies are among the most competitive in the world, with Italy the global leader in terms of trade surplus for 235 products out of 5,117. Successful Italian entrepreneurs are the protagonists of these achievements and icons of Italian resilience in times of crisis. They are well placed to evaluate not only the country s economic potential but also the perspectives of global competition and economic innovation in their respective sectors. To present their stories and insights, the Italian Embassy in London organised the Italian Imaginative Innovators (Triple I) initiative, a series of conversations between prominent Italian entrepreneurs and authoritative business columnists. This initiative aimed to present a dynamic productive system made up of public and private companies, competitive on the global market and keen to innovate. Pasquale Q. Terracciano Ambassador of Italy to the UK 1
Triple I series launched at Italian Embassy in London, with Mediobanca CEO Alberto Nagel Monday 16 May 2016 Italian Embassy London Corporate Italia: A vision for the future Outline of the event: Alberto Nagel is the CEO of Mediobanca and he is considered as one of the most prominent business leaders in the Italian banking sector. Alberto Nagel discussed the potential benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on Italy s economic recovery, especially for small and medium enterprises. He explained that long-term prospects for the economy may be improved further with the strengthening of infrastructure and the completion of the reform process currently underway in Italy. He guided the audience through the state of the art of Corporate Italy, explaining where it gets its strength, what domestic and international challenges will it have to face in the future, how well equipped it is to expand into new frontiers such as the digitalisation of industry and the complexity of global markets. 2 3
Highlight of the event: The key role of the Italian manufacturing The Italian manufacturing system is equipped to compete in a global market. Better governance Family business & succession Access to capital markets Innovation & Technology Where is it heading? The system of mid and mid-large companies accounts for some 30% of Italian manufacturing value added This increases to some 45% if we add small companies belonging to their supply chains (Marshallian districts) 4 5
Antonio D Amato, president and CEO of Seda International Packaging Group SpA (a family business and a global leader in packaging), president of the Italian Federation of Knights of Labour and former chairman of the Italian Employers Federation ( C o n f i n d u s t r i a ). Francine Lacqua is an award winning London-based anchor and editor-at-large for Bloomberg Television. She also hosts the Eye to Eye series, in which she interviews top CEOs, entrepreneurs and public figures. We dn e s day 8 J u n e 2 0 1 6 I t a lia n E mb as s y L o n d o n Outline of the event: A Triple I conversation between Antonio D Amato & Francine Lacqua 6 Antonio D Amato spoke about the Italian economic system, in particular the enormous potential of Italian entrepreneurs and t h e i r c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e c o u n t r y s e c o n o m i c re c o v e r y. D Amato highlighted the significance of the transformation of small and medium-sized companies into global players and discussed the challenges to business posed by the European market. He also emphasized the necessity of incorporating environmentally friendly solutions into productive p ro c e s s e s a n d p o i n t e d o u t t h a t I t a l y h a s m a d e g re a t progress in this field. D Amato stated that more Europe, not less, is necessary to overcome the current crisis. 7
Did you know that... Did you know? Happy Meal Boxes are made by an Italian company Did you know? Most of the paper packaging in the world is produced by an Italian company... As shown in the case of packaging, Italy is known for its leadership in niche products & sectors, including fashion eye-wear, specialised machine tools, stylish furniture, kitchen equipment, and other products featuring high design. Italian products are associated not only with quality and style, but with market leadership too. 8 9
Giulio Bonazzi is the CEO and chairman of Aquafil Group, a leader in the research into new production models for sustainable development and a landmark company in terms of quality and product innovation. John Lloyd is a contributing editor for the Financial Times. He makes regular contributions to La Repubblica and he has written several books. Frida y 8 J u l y 2 0 1 6 I t a lia n E mb as s y L o n d o n Outline of the event: A Triple I conversation between Giulio Bonazzi & John Lloyd 10 Bonazzi and Lloyd discussed how challenges can be taken as opportunities. Bonazzi described how the economic slowdown in the early 2000s forced him to shut down a number of the operations of his company, Aquafil, just a year after a major expansion. However, far from seeing this as a failure, he used it as an opportunity to reinvent the company, adjusting its operations to respond to the demands of the market, in particular the growing awareness of environmental issues. There is an increasing need for sustainable production and for greater participation from the private sector in the fight against climate change, and Bonazzi changed the direction of his company on this basis. The group has a presence in eight countries, including the UK, in three continents. 11
Almost 80% of revenue was earned abroad As with the Aquafil Group, the Italian manufacturing system s export figures validate its strong global positioning. Capacity, quality, innovation and flexibility are the magic ingredients, as well as the capacity to adapt to the globalised markets. 12 13
Lorenza Luti has been the marketing and retail director at Kartell since 2005. Her aim is to increase the brand awareness and to communicate Kartell s philosophy worldwide (it is present in 130 countries). Rosa Bertoli has been the design editor of Wallpaper* since 2007. Born and raised in Italy, Rosa moved to London to study fashion journalism, gaining experience at publications such as the Guardian and Amelia s Magazine. Thursday 22 September 2016 Italian Embassy London Outline of the event: A Triple I conversation between Lorenza Luti & Rosa Bertoli This conversation saw Lorenza Luti, Kartell s director of marketing and retail, discuss the company in a conversation with Rosa Bertoli, the design editor at Wallpaper* Magazine. Luti, the first woman speaker in the Triple I series, is part of the third generation of the family that founded the Kartell design empire. She is an exemplary representative of a new generation of dynamic Italian entrepreneurs who take an innovative and cosmopolitan approach to conducting business on the global stage. Luti explained the advances driven by innovation in product design and industrial production and highlighted how the expansion and consolidation of the brand are making it increasingly recognisable internationally. 14 15
Branding, an Italian strength 16 17
Nerio Alessandri is the founder and president of Technogym. At the age of just 22 he founded Technogym, now a world leader in p ro d u c t s a n d s e r v i c e s f o r rehabilitation and wellness. Rachel Sanderson is the Milan correspondent for the Financial Times. She was the first foreign newspaper reporter to interview Matteo Renzi after he became prime minister. Th u rs da y 6 O ct o b er 2 0 1 6 I t a lia n E mb as s y L o n d o n Outline of the event: A Triple I conversation between Nerio Alessandri & Rachel Sanderson 18 Nerio Alessandri spoke about how he created the Technogym empire in his garage with nothing but his family s working ethic, perseverance and tenacity. His commitment paid off to such an extent that it is estimated that 35 million people in over 100 countries now use Technogym products every day around the world, and the company was the official training-centre supplier in six Olympic Games. Alessandri s objective was to challenge the model of exercise as an activity whose sole purpose is to achieve physical attractiveness, focusing instead on the concept of mens sana in corpore sano a sound mind in a sound body. The Italian approach to design permeates his products, which are not just functional but also aesthetically pleasing. 19
Technogym was founded in 1983 in a garage. Since 2000 it has been the official supplier for athletic training equipment at the Olympic Games and since 2016 it has been listed on the Milan Stock Exchange T h e g r o u n d b r e a k i n g v i s i o n s o f I t a l y s entrepreneurs succeed because they combine tangible and intangible assets such as innovation, lifestyle and quality. 20 21
Andrea Rasca is the founder and chief executive dreamer of Mercato Metropolitano, a community food market based on the principles less is more and natural is good. Enrico Franceschini is the London correspondent for the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. He is the author of a dozen books of fiction and non-fiction. Th u rs da y 2 4 N o v emb er 2 0 1 6 I t a lia n E mb as s y L o n d o n Outline of the event: A Triple I conversation between Andrea Rasca & Enrico Franceschini 22 Andrea Rasca explained how Mercato Metropolitano, a combination of farmers markets and street food, aims to bring consumers closer to the source of the food they eat. In an excellent demonstration of Italian know-how and entrepreneurship, the business revolves around individuals: small-scale farmers, local producers and members of the local community. It takes s o c i a l re s p o n s i b i l i t y i n t o a c c o u n t, r u n n i n g e d u c a t i o n a l initiatives and supporting small-scale producers and artisans, and it runs cultural activities such as cinema screenings and art events. 23
Is Mercato Metropolitano a new way to export Italian foods and beverages? Italy exports 40 billion euros worth of goods in the food & beverage industry and related technologies. Italy is the origin of glocalisation and possibly the origin of a new paradigm of food distribution and consumption. 24 25
Federico Marchetti is the CEO of Yoox Net-A-Porter Group, t h e w o r l d s l e a d i n g o n l i n e luxury fashion retailer. The Group is a global company with Anglo-Italian roots, the re s u l t o f a g a m e - c h a n g i n g merger in October 2015. Francine Lacqua is an award winning London-based anchor and editor-at-large for Bloomberg Television. She also hosts the Eye to Eye series, in which she interviews top CEOs, entrepreneurs and public figures. Mon da y 12 D ecemb er 2 0 1 6 I t a lia n E mb as s y L o n d o n Outline of the event: A Triple I conversation between Federico Marchetti & Francine Lacqua 26 Marchetti described the leaps of faith he had taken to make his company the astonishing success it is now. He anticipated the importance of online retail long before the world of fashion was open to the idea, and he fought scepticism from all sides to create an entirely new economic sector. His insight, advanced business model and innovative approach to logistics paid off have been won over by his enthusiasm and competence, becoming his biggest customers and champions. The Yoox Ne t - A - P or t er Gro u p co v er s al l l u x u r y f as h i o n cu s t o mer segments, through its multi-brand in-season online stores Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter; its multi-brand off-season online stores Yoox and The Outnet and its numerous online flagship stores that are powered by YNAP. 27
Has Italy launched a revolution of the luxury fashion and online business? 2.5 million Active Customers in 2015 7.1 million Deliveries in 2015 27.1 million Unique monthly visitors 2015 1/4 1 Purchase every 4 seconds in 2015 1.7 billion Net Profits in 2015 28 29
ITOMG.LONDON Acknowledgements & Credits Triple I - Italian Imaginative Innovators. A series of conversations with Italian business leaders at the forefront. An initiative launched and promoted by Ambassador Pasquale Q. Terracciano Concept, Organisation and development: Dante Brandi, Head of Economic Office and Alternate Executive Director for Italy at the EBRD Special thanks to the Economic Office Team: Guglielmo Caggiano Maria Grazia Quagliarella Salvatore Sabatino Lara Milwid Warburton Lea Bruzziches With the editorial and graphic support of: Eat Drink Love Italian Ltd part of The Family Officer Group WWW.ITOMG.LONDON - WWW.THEFAMILYOFFICER.COM WWW.AMBLONDRA.ESTERI.IT @ItalyinUK 30 31
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