On 4th December the Museum of Sacmi Technology (MUST), which illustrates the cooperative’s 85 year history, was opened by Romano Prodi. Mr. Prodi attended the ceremony at the Group’s head offices in Imola together with President of the Group, Domenico Olivieri, Sacmi Imola General Manager, Eugenio Emiliani, Sacmi Group General Manager, Giulio Cicognani and the Mayor of Imola, Massimo Marchignoli. Also present was the Bishop of Imola, Monsignor Tommaso Girelli, who blessed the building.
“Sacmi”, said Mr. Prodi, “belongs to that small group of medium-size, highly specialised Italian firms that are world leaders in their respective fields - firms that succeed in reinforcing their position through constant innovation. Italy needs companies like this: they represent no less than the country’s future. This museum offers a wealth of history and experience that will, I believe, guide us towards ongoing prosperity”.
With a total exhibition area of some 600 m2, the museum traces the industrial, technological and social history of the Sacmi Imola cooperative, founded in 1919 by 9 mechanics and blacksmiths. It also illustrates the present – and possible future – of the Group: today, Sacmi is the world’s leading producer of production plants and technology for the ceramics, beverage and packaging, plastics and food processing industries. In 2003 Group revenues totalled approximately €862 million, 90% of which was accounted for by exports. Group employees now number 3,200 and the network of companies is global. “At a time in which innovation, research and international competitiveness are the focus of the economic debate in Italy”, explained Domenico Olivieri, “this new Museum of Sacmi Technology provides further evidence of the important role that has been played - and, more importantly, will continue to be played - by the Group: that of a world-beating supplier of Italian technology capable of blending competitiveness with ethical business practices”.