ZA
In the summer of the crisis year 2009, the plastics experts of IMG s.r.l. in Brescia started sales operations in Italy for Haitian International. Among other things they had the all-electric Venus in their portfolio; a new product, from a relatively unknown brand “Zhafir” in a crisis-ridden business year. Not necessarily the best conditions for a “starter kit” for Davide Bonfadini and his team; as he recalls for us.
In that year, the market shrunk by half to conceivably only 700 machines. The economy collapsed completely. With a little luck, we were finally able to sell the first Venus to a converter friendly to us. The resulting productivity was both outstanding and convincing in every respect. With this excellent result in hand, and a highly motivated sales team, this year we were able to place over 50 machines in the market.
Showroom at IMG in Brescia: Venus machines are ready for mold tests
Although the business year began rather cautiously, Bonfadini anticipates a further growth in sales. And, although it is well known that the Italian economy is not generating any great headlines, there are many small processors which are solidly positioned and have indicated further demand. “Certainly because of the uncertainty in the economy, investments are restricted. Because of that we score points with our extremely competitive price to performance ratio”. So says Davide Bonfadini.
The demand for all-electric machines in Italy is continually increasing. The criteria of precision, energy consumption and durability are among the most important in purchase decisions. “More and more we meet customers who will only consider all-electric machines. In order to position the still new “Zhafir” as well as possible in the marketplace, we seek representative reference customers in each market segment. They are not the big processors. Most are owner/operators with mid-level technology needs, nevertheless often astoundingly innovative.
Davide Bonfadini, responsable at IMG for the sales of the brands Haitian and Zhafir
It is not an easy sales task; however the previous success confirms we are on the right path. Including for automotive, packaging or housewares. In the meantime, we can be a little proud that we have covered the most important market segments.