Several Danone biscuits factories have tremendously increased their capacity recently in Europe, after a major industrial project was initiated about two years ago. Imaforni has played a key role: the Verona-based company was entrusted with approximately 85 per cent of the operations covering the review of the production lines involved in the restructure, the transfer of such lines to other facilities and the supply from scratch of other production lines or single pieces of equipment. Ronald De Beukelaer, technical director of the Biscuit Division, is the manager who has been following step by step the technical aspects of this major project, and as such, he has been the main contact for Imaforni in this challenge, which has gone on for almost two years. He is well known in the industry for his high professionalism and expertise.

Mr De Beukelaer, this rationalisation project took off from a redistribution of production volumes, with a view to optimising time and resources, two key factors in this reorganisation process. The project had to be finalised in less than two years with strong schedule issues.

“You’re right. Imaforni fully met the schedule and played a major role in the success of the initiative. It proved to be an important partner capable of meeting our technical standards. Imaforni carried out a general review of most of the Biscuit

Division’s existing equipment and studied together with Danone the implementation of new equipment.
Given the importance of matching the time schedule, we introduced a system of strategic contractual penalties to protect our position.
I am glad to say that we did not have to enforce any of them thanks to the punctuality shown by IMAFORNI in the various stages of the project.”

Do you consider Imaforni a major partner also in terms of organisation and technological innovation?

“I would say so. Throughout this project Imaforni showed great design and management skills. The company has shown an efficient and very flexible task force, in terms both of its project management capabilities and its technical teams in charge of the installation of the equipment.”
The success of this demanding operation confirmed the high reliability of Imaforni as a partner and a reference point also for the future.
As regards technological innovation, Imaforni significantly and actively contributed to the supply of plant and equipment for our new Vitapole Danone R&D Centre