What makes a cooperative a virtuous social circle? Great commitment and innovation that also goes through the protection of the environment and workers, sustainable decisions and processes, ethic development, unceasing ability to conceive new content and steady services for its partners. Minucoop is an example of a new business model that aims at enhancing and preserving every human resource also to guarantee a sustainable future, both ecologically and socially, so that the effects of our commitment are positively reflected on the activities of the entire supply chain and on the community around us. Elisa Bonini and Diego De Rossi told us more about their work.
Let’s start with the news…
“As far as our products are concerned, we start from a historical range of eyelets and rivets that we have carried with us since Minucoop was born in 1980. From year to year, we have integrated this line with new geometries, new finishes and precious items. This fashion accessory has now become a jewel that must also enhance the product.
You represent the second generation…
“Many of us were hired when Minucoop was founded, often former employees of a historic small parts company in Padua. Gradually, younger staff was hired. Today we count a mix of all ages, ranging from 20 to 50, who are progressively growing. We are focusing on young people to better face the generational change. Fortunately, in our company there are highly experienced people who act as “tutors”; on the other hand, it is clear that our task is to make them grow and, in a second moment, to pass the baton to them.”
Experience is everything…
“Thanks to experience, you know if the project of a client is feasible or not. If you are solely a sales agent, it is difficult for you to evaluate. Not everything is achievable, we want to support the customer to create a product that is the same, or even better than what he already has in mind.”
Often, designers make wonderful creations on paper that are however impossible to be developed.
“That’s true. Sometimes customers ask us for products, shapes, customizations that are not feasible. Thanks to our experience, we can immediately give them feedback and tell them if it can be done or not: one thing is the design, another thing is to make it.”
Technology can’t solve everything…
“Not yet at least. Metal has objective technical limits; we carry out cold molding, which has mechanical limits that cannot be exceeded. However, we put ourselves at the customer’s service and what is perhaps impossible we try to make it possible. Many new items were born on the basis of particular customer requests. From the classic round buttonhole, we have come to produce it in the shape of a star, flower, heart…”
The world of fashion still asks for diversification and customization. For you, over time, has this represented a plus or a difficulty?
“For us it was absolutely positive; being in the game is always a good thing.”
Is it more important for you to find a way to satisfy the requests of your customers or to evolve internally and then get to satisfy all the requests?
“The two things go in parallel because by improving the professionalism of each of us the whole process is improved as well, thus offering real advantages for the customer. If we increase the geometry quality of the product, the customer will be happy with it. If customers ask for more and more green products, we will be ready to accept the challenge. So yes, we are constantly evolving precisely to meet the new demands of customers who are increasingly looking for made-in- Italy items, a label that is really making a difference.”
What are your most innovative products that you have recently presented?
“Definitely stainless steel, which is once again on the rise due to its ‘green’ features. We are also working on aluminum and copper, materials that guarantee durability over time and eco- sustainability in the finishing processes, carried out without the use of heavy metals in galvanic coatings: the world of fashion is increasingly aiming at being in line with sustainability and circular economy.
