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The project - financed by the Lombardy Region within the Research and Innovation Agreements framework - relies on various technological application keys in various operational contexts:

• Smart components that self-diagnose their health
• Smart machines that generate data to analyse their status, predict future behaviours and regulate themselves
• Smart devices that facilitate human-machine interaction
• Smart factories equipped with monitoring and tracking system (connected factory)

Partners

The project leader is Cosberg, the partners involved are: Camozzi Automation (Smart component group); Politecnico di Milano (Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering and Department of Management Engineering); University of Brescia and Bergamo; CNR-STIIMA (Institute of Industrial Systems and Technologies for Advanced Manufacturing) and other leading companies for innovation.

Smart4CPPS shares the mission with the partners to:

• create a regional ecosystem of excellence that is a concrete expression of the Smart Factory concept
• transform Lombardy into a hub for digitisation processes for Small and Medium Enterprises.

The sectors involved are the manufacture of metal products - which covers 17% of regional manufacturing - the manufacture of plants and equipment - about 4% of regional VA - and the textile industry.

Smart4CPPs was launched in March 2017 and will end in September 2020.

The single Camozzi Automation distribution centre for Italy and Europe operates from Palazzolo Sull'Oglio (Brescia) in Via Sant'Alberto 10. Production coming from the two production plants of Lumezzane and Polpenazze also flow into the new logistics hub. Near the main freight forwarders, the A4 motorway and the Orio al Serio airport, the Hub provides a direct, widespread, rapid, punctual and efficient supply service. There are also numerous advantages for the network of our distributors who can guarantee their customers quick deliveries.

Lodovico Camozzi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Camozzi Group, commented during the inauguration:

"This strategic investment, worth around €9 million, aims to make the logistics sector a competitive advantage, thanks to more efficient use of space and rationalisation of the internal layout, with positive repercussions in terms of employment. It will also allow us to provide our customers with a direct, widespread, rapid, punctual and efficient supply service ".

Intelligent automatic systems

The system operates in a single shift, as it is managed by the previous warehouses with the use of triple shifts, to respond flexibly to today's market logic, which is increasingly based on streamlined production in small lots and on parcel shipments.

The distinctive feature is the innovative Cuby system by SSI Schaefer, the first installation in Italy, powered by Artificial Intelligence Models. This technology involves the use of as many shuttles as there are shelf levels, offering a handling capacity 3-4 times higher than the traditional single SRM machine.

The heart of the system is the WMS warehouse management software - integrated with the SAP company ERP - which guides the operators in promptly processing orders, and minimising the risk of error.

The export and internationalisation hub of the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (Cdp) Group supports the development of Camozzi through the subscription of a bond and through equity investment.

SACE

The Fondo Sviluppo Export (Export Development Fund) has subscribed a bond for €12,512,000 issued by Camozzi. The 6-year bond is fully guaranteed by SACE and subscribed by the Fund.

The proceeds of the issue will be used to support its development programme on international markets, mainly in: Ukraine, United States, China and Russia.

SIMEST

SIMEST will invest €4.7 million in two companies located in China, near Shanghai, specialised in automation systems components and wholly controlled by the Camozzi Group.

The investment will also have important positive effects in Italy, generating an increase in the demand for components produced in the plants in Northern Italy.

The President of the Group Lodovico Camozzi commented on the double agreement:

"SACE’s support of and SIMEST’s entry into the share capital of the Chinese companies strengthens us from an institutional and financial point of view and will allow us to be even more competitive on international markets."

Fondo Sviluppo Export

Established by SACE and managed by Amundi SGR, Fondo Sviluppo Export opens the capital market to Italian exporting companies thanks to the availability of €350 million (€175 million made available by SACE and the same amount funded by the European Investment Bank, with a guarantee by SACE).

The Fund, for professional investors, is dedicated to investing in secured or unsecured bonds, with fixed or variable rate coupons and repayment in instalments or on maturity, issued by Italian non-listed companies with an export and internationalisation mission. Through the issues subscribed by the Fund, a wide range of activities can be financed:

• foreign direct investments, such as acquisitions, mergers or joint ventures
• research and development investments in Italy
• expenses for the purchase or renewal of machinery and equipment
• communication and marketing.