Research and innovation, digitization, public/private relationship, strength of the district: in the aftermath of the presentation of the 4.0 plan for the new industrial revolution, Matteo Renzi could not have chosen a more significant and encouraging event than the inaugural ceremony of the maxi Philip Morris plant in Crespellano, a municipality in Valsamoggia, near Bologna. This is the worldwide site where the support structure for the revolutionary Iqos cigarette is produced, the one with heated tobacco but without combustion, a stone's throw from Gd, the packaging giant for blondes.
The premier is full of optimism when he cuts the ribbon of the futuristic factory, two years after the first stone is laid with Philip Morris International CEO André Calantzopoulos and adopts the slogan chosen by the multinational: "Stronger, together".
“Two years ago GDP and employment had a minus sign, today they have a plus sign – claims Renzi – this is an objective fact. I'm not saying it's the government's merit, because the recovery is of the men and women who roll up their sleevesAt most, governments can help investments, fight against bureaucracy and reduce taxes, the rest is done by people. But today we are celebrating two pieces of news: the fact that a multinational has announced investments in Italy, has kept its commitments and respected the deadlines; and the fact that there is still the same government.”
The Philip Morris model worked and Renzi would like a boost to come from Valsamoggia and Emilia-Romagna for the whole country. “Italy is a great world power, the seventh. Maybe it could become the sixth, but we must be aware of our strength. And this area, where there is recovery and where things are working, must try to accompany the rest of the country to grow together”. Resignation and renunciation lead nowhere.
“Twenty months ago we laid the first stone, today we are laying the last, but not the most important. The next one is the most important, made up of economic values and commitment, because the world appreciates not only manufacturing, but also the quality of Made in Italy work”. A promotion with full marks also for the agreement reached by the multinational with the employees who will allow the plants to work around the clock. An agreement also praised by the minister of labour, Giuliano Poletti, who looks "favorably on second-level bargaining".
The new maxi factory in Crespellano is striking for its grandeur, for the infrastructural endowment, the result of an evident collaboration between public bodies and multinationals. In a few weeks, a few hundred meters away, a new toll booth will also open.
The establishment presents impressive numbers. “It is the largest factory built from scratch in Italy for many years now,” says Calantzopoulos. In total they are 6 factories, for a total area of 160 square metres. In addition to the industrial sites, there are relaxation areas, a study, a gym, a kindergarten, bicycles to reach the station and a restaurant. The investment is 500 million euros, including the amount spent on the pilot plant in Zola Predosa, a few kilometers away, where Intertaba is located, a cutting-edge company in the field of cigarette filters. There are currently 300 employees, but they will reach 600 at full capacity. The pieces produced per year will be 30 billion, continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A very big bet holds Eugenio Sidoli, CEO of Philip Morris Italy. “Our strategy has changed since Bologna. It takes a lot of courage to make such an important investment, without a market, but courage pays off”.
Something, starting from this choice of the multinational, has completely changed in the long-term strategies. Health becomes part of the goals of the world's largest cigarette manufacturer. “Responsibility – concludes the CEO of Philip Morris International – means having a moral obligation to develop products with reduced potential risk, ie without combustion, and to convince all adult smokers to adopt them. It is a paradigm shift in our industry, a revolution that I have made a commitment to bring about in the shortest time possible. However, the change cannot only concern us, it will involve all our stakeholders". But the legislator will also be fundamental in supporting the change and the communication of scientifically verified and unambiguous information.
"We will guarantee maximum attention", promises the premier who had previously visited two other excellences of the Emilian industry: Lamborghini and Ducati. The Emilian tour actually began in Sant'Agata Bolognese, in the Lamborghini factory and on construction site where the production line for the new Urus SUV will be built which will become operational from next year. The visit to Lamborghini, a company that is part of the Audi-Volkswagen group, was also scheduled last August 31 when the Italy-Germany bilateral meeting was held in Maranello with Chancellor Angela Merkel. The visit, then, skipped. Subsequently Renzi inaugurated the Ducati Museum in Borgo Panigale.
