Reducing working hours by 40% to dedicate more time to training and be ready for the challenges of innovation —such as leveraging Artificial Intelligence for the development of innovative products— is one of the visionary goals behind the corporate reorganization of Idrobase Group, based in Padua. The company has become a case study in the enhancement of human capital, precisely at a time when the right to work is once again a pressing issue in Europe. This initiative represents a Nippo-Venetian approach to applying the Lean-Toyota methodology, which was recently analyzed by CUOA Business School, one of Italy’s most prestigious management training centers. The company’s transformation process began in the second half of last year and will be completed by 2026, involving all departments of the Borgoricco headquarters, including procurement, production, warehousing, sales, marketing, administration, and finance.
“We have set two clear objectives to enhance our global competitiveness, particularly in a time of crisis dominated by low-cost, low-quality products: to reduce our price lists by 15% while maintaining the hallmark quality and service of Made in Italy; and at the same time, to improve product and process performance by investing in the professional growth of our workforce”, explains Bruno Ferrarese, co-owner of the company. “The first results are already visible, particularly in the departments where the Lean method is being implemented: procurement, warehousing, and production. This has already enabled us to lower the prices of the Fog Makers cannons product line while freeing up resources for professional development.”
One of the most striking transformations is the shift away from the traditional production line -where each worker repetitively performs a single task- toward a "production oasis" model, in which an individual worker follows an entire work process from start to finish. Furthermore, the organization of each department remains a "work in progress," with ongoing internal discussions to identify critical issues and propose solutions.
“We are a company in constant evolution, with the ambition to transform the market,” adds Bruno Gazzignato, the group's other co-owner. “We have always believed that one of Idrobase’s greatest strengths is its ability to work as a team, as demonstrated by our rapid recovery following the devastating fire two years ago. After creating office spaces where people can breathe clean air, we are now enhancing every contribution of experience within the company. We want to dare to do what others do not, to help change the world.”
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