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[February 2008]
Thailand Studies the Italian Ceramic District
Professor Surachet Sittikit of King Mongkut’s University of Technology in Bangkok, Thailand had a meeting at the Acimac headquarters in Italy with its director Paolo Gambuli, as part of a Thai government research project on the specific features of an industrial sector that is a world leader
Thailand is an attentive observer of the Italian ceramics industrial system, interested in understanding the reasons for its success, its history and its strategies, in order to improve technological levels and personnel skills in the sector in Thailand. Professor began his task of gathering information for a fact finding survey commissioned by the Thai Ministry of Industry with his trip to Acimac.
Professor Sittikit gathered information on the collaboration between machinery suppliers and ceramic manufacturers, on the key features that contribute to making the Italian ceramic machinery sector a world leader, and also on the challenges connected with international competition today. Special attention was devoted to the aspect of technical training for operators and personnel, as well as technological innovation.
On this subject, Mr Gambuli had words of praise for the advanced level of mechanical and electrical expertise of Italian sector companies, capable of designing and building extremely complex and sophisticated machinery. This was thanks also to a consistent demand from the Italian ceramic industry, he said, a fundamental factor in boosting growth and development in the sector dedicated to supplying its technical tools. Also discussed was the Acimac Quality Mark, whose use is rapidly spreading among affiliated companies and which around the world is regarded by the association as synonymous with cutting-edge technology, reliability and excellent post sales service.
Professor Sittikit was scheduled to go on to have discussions with Confindustria Ceramica and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Among potential future collaborations is the idea of introducing lessons on ceramic technology given by Italian experts in courses in the professor’s home university.
Thailand manufactures roughly 140 million square metres of ceramic tiles per year, making it the tenth largest producing country in the world. Its foreign sales come to 27 million square metres, placing it among the top ten exporting nations. Its national consumption is 121 million square metres, of which 20 million is imported.
ENDS