Ever greener, ever healthier, ever more Bolognese: these seem to be unusual attributes for an American cigarette multinational, but not for Philip Morris, who has been working for years on a future free from smoke, but not from the pleasure of smoking. After the launch five years ago of Iqos, the combustionless cigarette that found a welcoming, spacious, innovative and well-integrated home in Crespellano, in the province of Bologna, Philip Morris is now inaugurating a new Center for industrial excellence in the same area , where he even transfers an important part of his own brain.
This is the largest center in the world of the multinational as regards process innovation, industrialization, engineering, sustainability and will give work to 250 highly qualified people, as part of an investment plan of 600 million euros over three years, linked to new products without combustion, with an estimated direct, indirect and induced impact on employment of around 8000 jobs along the supply chain.
This factory of the future, or "factory of factories", as defined by Massimo Andolina, vice president of Philip Morris, will act in support of the creation of prototypes and industrialization of products, will work on improving production processes, but also on sustainability projects such as the efficient and responsible use of resources.
Many authorities from Cardinal Matteo Zuppi to the President of the Region Stefano Bonaccini attended the ribbon cutting this morning, while Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti spoke online and Minister Luigi Di Maio sent a video greeting.
A great success for Philip Morris, but also for the Emilia-Romagna region which confirms its ability to attract and welcome large companies. The region, among other things, is experiencing an even more effervescent economic situation in this phase than the pre-pandemic one.
“This year we are growing by 6,5% – argues Bonaccini – 1% more than we thought three months ago, we are the first region for growth in the country and next year we will probably reach 10-11%. There will be a lot of supply, but we fear there will be a shortage of workers and that's why we are moving. Our territory is very attractive for foreign companies because we objectively have an exceptional manufacturing system, 90% of ceramics, but also mechanics, mechatronics, engines, agri-food. It was believed that the biomedical sector would be overwhelmed by the earthquake and instead today it is stronger than before". Why? Social and political stability contribute to support. "I never use the word model, I don't like it, but there is our own way of deciding the things I would export - underlines Bonaccini - Prime Minister Mario Draghi spoke some time ago about a social pact, well we have been practicing it for six years, because full sharing strengthens and reduces the risk of error”.
If Emilia-Romagna confirms itself at the forefront as an attractive pole, Italy is also experiencing a happy season: "primarily thanks to the leadership of Draghi's government - says Giorgetti - but also for other situations including sporting successes". The government is now working to make the credibility achieved in recent months structural, trying to offer certainty to investors. Furthermore, according to Giorgetti, we need to go out into the world to promote the country and build important relationships. The minister's recent trip to the US also served this purpose: “the sense of the mission was to establish relationships with those involved in industry in the Biden administration and create solid relationships with individuals who are evaluating where to invest in Europe. I came back more optimistic, there is great interest in the Italian system. Obviously, today Bonaccini can be proud of the choice of Philip Morris and of the ability of this territory to create a system".
In fact Philip Morris, with the whole world at his disposal, has once again chosen Bologna.
“Since we inaugurated this site in 2016 – explains Andolina – it has become a global reference point, a beacon and has been central to the transformation of Philip Morris. There is an ecosystem here that offers us unique access to our partners, suppliers, universities, research centers and top technicians in the world. From here we will now offer support to other areas, including our main research center in Switzerland”.
Only five years have passed since Philip Morris became a bit Bolognese, “but it seems it was geological” observes Marco Hannappel, president and CEO of Philip Morris Italia. “These additional investments reward the work of over 30 people and 7 Italian companies which in recent years have contributed to building a supply chain that is unique in the world. This factory will be the basis for creating other factories, a sustainable model also for resources such as water and energy". In a context like this, among other things, it is easier to offer "good" work, a theme dear to Cardinal Zuppi. “Sometimes you die of work and this shouldn't happen, because work is good, it has to be. Sometimes the word multinational scares, because there are multinationals that create a big problem for the restaurant, deciding to go elsewhere, where it is convenient". Instead here we stay and grow "there is attention to maintaining a balance and then the foundations are laid for a sustainable future".
