Paolo Zanette

Tell us about your experience with Visottica Group.

I joined Visottica in September 2004 immediately after graduating as a mechanical engineer. After initial training in quality control, I moved almost immediately to the technical department under the guidance of Federico Lorenzon, where I held the position of Production Manager until 2008. After a brief break, in 2015 I make the decision to join the company again and be involved with the realisation of an ambitious project concerning the construction of a CN machine. Given my previous experience and the mutual esteem between the company and myself, I decided to take on this new challenge. In the same year, I also started studying Mechanical Engineering, completing the course of studies in 2021 with a master’s degree. This achievement was possible thanks to the company’s support and goodwill. From 2015 to now, I grew a lot within the company, and from Mechanical Designer to Machine-and-workshop Maintenance Manager, I am now a Technology Development Manager.

What is your role in the Visottica Group and what are your main responsibilities?

I am responsible for Technology Development, which now consists of two people, but we are already looking for new resources to join the team. My duty is to deal with innovation and the improvement of industrial processes. Specifically, my team focuses on the analysis of production processes and on the search for innovative solutions to ensure continuous competitiveness in the market. Among other activities, we design and manufacture special equipment, revamp obsolete machinery and, as mentioned above, design totally innovative machines that are not yet available on the market, which are able to respond to the continuous evolution of market demands in a short time and at lower costs.

What do you love most about your job and about the company?

The aspects I love most about my job are the diversification of activities and the possibility to think of a solution without any technological constraints or limitations. In the Visottica Group, the production processes are varied and very different from each other, so we need a lot of wide-ranging ideas and a spirit of creativity. In the beginning, we only focused on chip removal, but with the passing of time and various acquisitions, we are also dealing with surface finishing, safety and logistics, moulding, and general automation. Besides the professional aspect, there is the human aspect too. Here at Visottica, I have established relationships based on friendship and mutual esteem. This gives added value to my everyday job.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

The most challenging aspect of my job is definitely goal setting. This is fundamental in my work since there can be so many different ways forward. The risk is to work for months and come up with a solution that does not fully meet the requirements. Therefore, once the final goal has been set, it is important to create a united team that works in an open way by sharing its activities. The solution we have to present must be competitive in terms of added process value, but also sustainable from an economic point of view. This is not always easy, and it sometimes results in continuous revisions of the initial project. Finally, the technical complexities that arise during the process are many and it is not always easy to keep the focus on the final objective.

What skills are fundamental to your role?

Solid basic knowledge of mechanics and automation, of safety and environmental regulations, is certainly essential. No less important are curiosity, a desire to study and propose new ideas, and interest in overcoming the obstacles set by each technological limitation. The ability to work in a team and the spirit of collaboration are also aspects that must not be underestimated when achieving an objective.

What are the strengths of your team?

I think the greatest strength is the constant willingness to face each new challenge without fear. In fact, we see every new problem as an opportunity for personal and corporate growth. I also think we are a very good link between the different companies, and so far, we have always managed to create synergy within the group. It may be trivial, but the positivity we transmit to those who interact with us is also a strength for me. Innovative ideas can only flourish in a healthy and serene environment.