Mec Man: technological innovation at the service of excellence

The story of Mec Man is a triumph of perseverance and audacity. Since its origins as customer service, the company has been able to embrace the challenges of the market, transforming itself into a technological excellence renowned worldwide. Since 2003, its leadership in the national and international market has no rivals. Thanks to its proven experience, tanneries, manufacturers and brands from all over the world can count on innovative solutions and excellent technical assistance. Through a combination of advanced engineering, relentless research and an uncompromising vision, the company has earned a reputation for reliability and innovation. As a matter of fact, at the basis of Mec Man’s success there is a constant commitment to the use of cutting-edge technologies. The company has taken advantage of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and advanced automation to optimize production processes and ensure a high level of accuracy. Mec Man machines are equipped with ground-breaking control systems, able to adjust to the changing challenges of modern industry and offering impeccable results. But the innovation of Mec Man and its creative branch, Mec Man Engineering, is not limited to machines only. The company has developed a state-of-the-art customer service that focuses on top-quality and personalization. Each customer is treated with the utmost care and attention, as the company offers tailor-made solutions for their specific needs and is committed to creating a long-term relationship of trust with them, guaranteeing constant assistance and prompt feedbacks. The philosophy of one of its founders, Marco Agostini, also stands out in his unceasing search for improvement and in the collaboration with industrial partners, as he himself tells us in this interview. The company endlessly invests in the training and development of its team of experts, to always stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies. In short, Mec Man is a technological excellence that has been able to combine craftsmanship with ground-breaking innovation. Through its success story and its constant commitment to offering cutting-edge solutions, the company has established itself as a reference point in the tanning sector. A tangible example of how innovation and technology can come together to create a better future.
On what projects are Mec Man and Mec Man engineering have been focused in the last few months?
“We are focusing on an important innovation: the Integrated Drying System (IDS), developed by Mec Man Engineering. For months, the team has been working hard to create a proprietary computer system that lets all the machines to communicate with each other in the drying department. This system allows you to follow the entire leather processing cycle, from entry to its exit from the department. Through the use of QR codes and special scanners, it is possible to accurately monitor each stage of the process, letting the subsequent machines to know the processing specifications of the previously processed leather. Furthermore, we were able to equip the machines with a system that automatically adjust and set themselves based on the information acquired from the scan, thus reducing the need for human intervention in the machines setting phase. This represents an added value for those who decide to purchase Mec Man machines. The engineering department finalized the development of this innovative solution before the summer and it’s about to completing the installation of the first line. This new technology proves our constant commitment to offer cutting-edge solutions in the management sector. We keep on investing in research and development to ensure utmost efficiency and quality for our customers.”
What is really innovative about the IDS system?
“This is an unprecedented innovation in the industry, as it goes beyond simple process monitoring. This system grants a level of interaction and interconnection between machines never seen before. We’re not just talking about the number of leathers entering and exiting a line. It is about one machine communicating with another, telling it exactly how to process the material automatically. Each customer, together with us, will help create its basics, i.e. the way each specific item should be processed. We will lay these foundations, a series of recipes, creating QR Codes that will contain the name of the recipe and all the related parameters. Every time a batch of leathers to be processed according to a specific recipe hits the tannery, all this information will be enclosed in the QR code. The machine loads the data, the hides are processed and, once the process is complete, they are scanned again. At that moment, the next machine already knows the quantity, what it is getting and how it will have to be finished. Automation offers many benefits, including significant cost and time savings, and the ability to avoid human errors that may occur. By freeing man from this responsibility, there will be the chance of employing him in more gratifying and satisfying activities.”
What innovations will you launch at this new edition of Simac Tanning Tech?
“We are focusing on an innovative concept of modular staking machine, which will be introduced by Mec Man on the market shortly. We kicked off the project development starting with the 3D drawings and the executive documents, and now we moved on to the phase of creating the prototype.”
What’s so special about this staking machine?
“The machine we are developing will be perfectly customizable for each customer. Everyone will be able to create their own bespoke staking machine, responding to their needs in an exceptionally simple way. Again, we focus on the concept of modularity, offering an alternative to the traditional concept where one must fit into the standard machinery. We want our customers to be able to create their own tailor-made solution, which enclose their needs and goals.”
To stay at the forefront of the sector, Mec Man Engineering not only innovates outside but also in-house machinery, right?
“Yes. Everything we have said so far concerns the machinery and the concept of the department, that is, related to the supply chain. However, Mec Man also grows internally and modernizes its departments because this too is an integral part of the company’s innovation. As a matter of fact, in October, the brand- new spray booth designed to use only water-based paints will be installed, completely eliminating the use of solvent-based paints. This new solution is the result of the commitment of Simone Golin, Majority Shareholder and Managing Director of Mec Man Engineering, an expert mechanical designer boasting years of experience in the tannery spraying lines sector. We have taken advantage of his precious technical knowledge, enhancing it. With a view to business growth, the creation of this new product undoubtedly represents an added value for Mec Man. But that’s not all: thanks to this innovation, our company will also have the opportunity to enter a new market. As a matter of fact, thanks to an agreement with a partner, we will be able to market them, thus opening up to new business opportunities. In short, this is an ambitious project that not only represents a development for the company, but also a new chance to expand our range.”
Marco, in your opinion, what is the secret of your success?
“We have always believed in the importance of finding a balanced quality/price ratio. Let’s take for example our reference model, Amazon, which has been able to offer an incomparable service at a competitive price. Obviously, it’s not an easy challenge, but finding ways to achieve this is a responsibility we take on. If we can offer quality at an acceptable price, there will be no insurmountable obstacles in our growth. We have been working on this concept for years: we have a light structure, experienced collaborators who are greatly committed to the job. We are aware that the moment is uncertain but, in the meantime, we are laying the groundwork to make the most of all future opportunities.”

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