Experience, technical expertise and cross-department collaboration are key elements in taking on new challenges and developing increasingly diversified projects.
In this new interview, Matteo Panzeri, Head of Sanmiro’s Tooling Department, talks about the work carried out by his team, from the in-house design and manufacturing of moulds and tooling to supporting other departments across the company. He also explores how experience and mechanical expertise are contributing to Sanmiro’s expansion into new sectors and applications.
Good morning, Matteo, and thank you for your time. What is your role within Sanmiro’s Tooling Department, and what does your day-to-day work involve?
My main responsibilities within the Tooling Department involve the development and implementation of mould and tooling projects. However, my role extends well beyond this and involves working closely with several other departments across the company. I collaborate with the Technical Department to assess new projects and prepare quotations, and I regularly work with the Moulding Department and the ferrule production team to address any operational issues that may arise.
How important is it for Sanmiro to design and manufacture its moulds and tooling in-house? What advantages does this approach offer?
Designing and manufacturing moulds and tooling in-house is essential to the company’s growth, enabling effective collaboration with other areas and greater flexibility when working on different types of products. This approach allows Sanmiro to go beyond the production of moulds for handles and significantly broaden its scope towards new fields and business opportunities.
By choosing our company, customers benefit from careful and thorough support at every stage of the process, from design through to the manufacture of the tooling itself. We can also make adjustments while work is in progress, thanks to an in-depth and targeted approach that ensures the final solution fully meets the objectives of the project.
In recent years, Sanmiro has also expanded into new projects beyond the cookware industry. How has the expertise of the Tooling Department contributed to this journey?
Sanmiro’s real strength in its diversification beyond cookware lies in an approach based on attention to detail, research and the constant exploration of new sectors and projects developed by other companies. By combining this approach with the extensive mechanical expertise of our Tooling Department, we have been able to integrate cross-functional skills while maintaining high standards of quality and production efficiency.
This has enabled us to take on new challenges with confidence and precision, making the most of our core technical capabilities.
When you receive a request for a completely new application, what approach do you take?
When we receive a request for a completely new application, our approach is guided by a strategic and collaborative mindset. We always begin by listening carefully to the customer in order to fully understand not only their immediate needs, but also their long-term business objectives. This allows us to establish a clear and shared framework together.
We then carry out a technical and market feasibility analysis, assessing the most suitable technologies and potential challenges while keeping a close eye on innovation and future scalability. We then develop a detailed, phased plan that allows us to prototype quickly, gather continuous feedback and adapt in real time.
How important are knowledge of materials, experience and cross-department collaboration in the development of new projects?
Knowledge of materials, experience and cross-department collaboration are essential and represent the cornerstones of successful new project development. In-depth expertise in materials ensures that every technical choice is optimal, sustainable and innovative, while helping to reduce risks and costs. Consolidated experience enables us to anticipate potential issues, speed up processes and make informed decisions with confidence.
In recent years, Sanmiro has begun applying its expertise to sectors beyond cookware. In practical terms, what does working on these new projects mean for your department, and what new opportunities does this approach bring?
For our department, working on projects outside the traditional cookware industry means facing new technical challenges and working with different materials and processes, broadening our expertise and encouraging innovation on a daily basis. This approach pushes the team beyond its comfort zone, encouraging us to explore different solutions and develop a more versatile and creative mindset.
