Featuring more than fifty years of experience, the company based in Montebello Vicentino provides machinery and cutting-edge technologies for the tanning industry. Wooden, steel and polypropylene drums, available in different sizes and formats, test units, automations and milling drums: this is the core business of Pajusco Tecnologie, all-Italian enterprise featuring more than fifty years of experience in the design and manufacturing of tanning technologies. Flagship quality of the company based in Montebello Vicentino (Vicenza province) is the in-house management of all whole production cycle, from the supply of raw materials to the manufacturing of mechanical elements and the development of software programmes, up to delivery and installation, while putting at the clientele’s disposal a global assistance network as well. We interviewed the managing director Olimpio Storti, who put in the limelight the distinctive traits that have turned Pajusco Tecnologie into a one-of-a-kind enterprise.
Olimpio Storti, managing director of Pajusco Tecnologie
Tecnologie
When did your career in Pajusco Tecnologies begin? Our company boasts more than fifty years of experience in the field of tanning machinery: together with another firm, we have invented and developed the concept of wooden drum as well as its technology. When my family took over Pajusco in 1982, it had grown into a renowned enterprise, widely praised not only in Italy, but also abroad: for this reason, we chose to keep intact the name of such a well-loved brand and to just add “Tecnologie”. Over the years, we have invested significant resources in the upgrading of our machines, including the implementation of remote control tools and the complete automation. Our growth was constant, as confirmed by the addition of new production areas; in 2009, we built a new facility located in Via della Tecnica, in Montebello Vicentino, right in the heart of Vicenza’s tanning district.
As for the wooden drums, in what ways has the production process changed? It has changed a lot, not only in terms of inside structure, but also of types of materials. At the beginning, we opted for iroko, a peculiar kind of wood that ensured excellent performances and durability. However, due to the development of more aggressive chemicals and to the progressive increase in loading capabilities, we had to look for different solutions. Currently, we use a strong yellow wood for smaller drums, while we employ a special red wood for large- sized models, as it is harder and more resistant to chemical corrosion. We choose only the finest African timber, purchased on-site from certified suppliers.
Do you take care of the wood’s drying? Yes, we opt for a natural method. Even if it takes longer compared to the artificial technique – approximately one year and a half/two years vs. maximum three weeks –, it has turned out to be a successful strategy, because it gives us the chance to effectively plan our stocks and to have at our disposal a well-provided warehouse, so as to promptly meet even the most demanding requests. Moreover, natural drying ensures a higher durability and better quality standards. As far as polypropylene and steel are concerned, we don’t need to store them away, because we rely on suppliers that always have top-quality materials available on stock.
What is the main strength of Pajusco Tecnologie? We keep everything under control. We are the only company in the business that can manage in-house the whole production cycle, from the selection of raw materials up to the delivery of the plant. Therefore, we provide a full package. Thanks to a team of specialized engineers, we can develop software programmes as well: open- source systems without passwords, conceived to give to customers the opportunity to turn, if necessary, to local suppliers too. Furthermore, due to the partnership with the multinational corporation Schneider Electric, we guarantee a global assistance and maintenance network, without any additional cost for the clientele.
What about the mechanical components? We are part of a group comprising ten companies owning shares of a foundry. Another strategic choice, because, in this way, all the required metal components, both external and inner ones, are specifically made to be used in the manufacturing of our drums, guaranteeing at the same time an unparalleled price/quality ratio. Gears, supports, adaptors and much more: our hardware contains more steel and less iron, abreast of the finest quality as well as performance standards. For this reason, we are the only ones able to manufacture large-sized drums, as in the case of the Obelix model, 4800x5000mm. www.pajusco.com
