WHERE DO THOSE IDEAS COME FROM?

A journey to discover Mattei’s R&D: where the future of compressed air is built.

“We don’t allow ourselves to be influenced by what others think can or cannot be done. Here we develop ideas and projects that to many would seem impossible, in order that we can always create something new and never seen before”.

Research & Development at Mattei is where the magic happens, allowing a small company with international aspirations to compete with the biggest giants in the compressed air sector.

R&D“At Mattei, when we talk about R&D, it goes well beyond the department in an organisational chart,” explains Stefano Murgia, Technical Manager at Mattei, “we’re talking about a real working philosophy. We deal not just with product development but also research into new technologies. Our strong point? We don’t let ourselves be conditioned by limiting thoughts of what might or might not be possible. Instead, we develop ideas, focusing on what we think will be useful for the group and we find a way to make it happen. We let ideas and projects flow, that for some people might seem impossible and yet we try to turn them into reality: an approach that has led us to registering ten patents in five years. An achievement which would not have been possible without the trust and foresight of our owners, who always aim to create something that has never been seen before”.

It’s a close-knit approach centred around discussion and collaboration: “We are a team,” says Ida Costanzo, Innovation Manager in the technical area, “where everyone is encouraged to look beyond, exploiting the multidisciplinary nature of a team that adeptly combines practical activities with theoretical study. This is our strength compared to the other big players: each one of us counts and everyone has their part to play; it is the sum of our ideas and experience that creates the conditions for success”.

But how does innovation come about? “Unfortunately, there is no secret recipe and it differs every time. It’s a bit like Columbus’ expeditions: sometimes we set out from point A with the idea of getting to point B, only to discover during the development that the best results lie at point C. The rotary vane technology developed by Mattei is rock-solid, and it is the solidity of this foundation that allows us to build from, over and over, making ever more significant improvements, especially from a performance point of view”.

The new RVXi compressor is the result of this approach of balancing technological innovation and standardisation. In the new compressors Xtreme technology, the innovative patented injection system from Mattei, has been combined with the use of other technological solutions aimed at further improving performance and the sustainability of the machine. One of these many examples being the new Maestro XC controller, that uses advanced logic to control the machine operating temperatures.

Product development in Mattei also relies on strong collaboration with universities, especially the Polytechnic in Milan: “I’m living proof of this,” explains Ida Costanzo. “We collaborate a lot with universities, and this also translates into internships and graduates coming to us for their first work experience. I did the same myself, coming here as part of my master’s thesis in energy engineering in 2015. The participation of so many younger people enrich the whole team, because their enthusiasm and desire to learn and get involved rubs off on the whole team”.
A hotbed of innovation where creativity meets a strict focus on the organisation of work: “We work with shared objectives,” says the Mattei technical manager, “aligning all our resources towards the success of the team. We are precise in how we organise our work, quantifying the correct allocation of resources for each workstream. This helps us to better focus and avoid distractions in order to constantly push the boundaries”.

The focus is always on sustainability; a core business objective at Mattei: “We mainly work on two aspects,” adds Ida Costanzo, “performance and environmental compatibility. Our aim is to continuously reduce the environmental impact of our machines, starting from the compression process, all the way through to the choice of materials we use. Because every aspect can make a difference so we know we must leave no stone unturned”.

September 2021

 

 

 

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