BIESSE holds BIESSEiNSIDE event in Italy

Biesse is adapting the Kaizen method throughout its organization in response to mounting market pressures in terms of cost, flexibility and innovation, with the goal of transforming itself into a “lean company.” Accordingly, Biesse has initiated an overhaul of internal processes, both organizational and production-oriented. Lean Manufacturing principles and methods such as Value Stream Mapping, used to identify and eliminate waste, are meant to enable Biesse to strengthen its leadership position and surmount future challenges.



The BIESSEiNSIDE event was billed as an “open door on the world of woodworking processes and technology.” A world leader in this sector, Biesse is the only company with a production line that extends to three different segments – wood, glass and stone. Foremost among these is the Wood Division, which in 2007 produced 75% of Biesse’s Consolidated Revenue.



BIESSEiNSIDE, held in Pesaro, Italy at the headquarters of parent company Biesse S.p.A. February 28 – March 1, drew representatives from more than 1,000 businesses around the world. While open to all, the event was geared primarily to clients of Biesse’s Systems Division, who are engaged in construction, institutional casework and store fixtures, as well as window, door and furniture manufacturing. Attendees saw a variety of advanced woodworking technologies and processes in action. State-of-the-art Biesse machines were displayed in Biesse’s brand new 32,000-square-foot Tech Center, where 32 different machines are in constant operation. More than 100 demonstrations were held on the entire Biesse line, including processing centers; line boring machines; manual, automatic and line edgebanding machines; panel saws and sanding machines.



Event participants also had the opportunity to assist at a working demonstration of the door production line in the BIESSEEDGE factory, bearing witness to Biesse’s increasing involvement in the development of solutions for the door and window manufacturing industry. The line carries out squaring and edgebanding of flap doors using soft-forming technology.



There was also a focus on engineering solutions to meet the automation needs of the furniture industry, such as an integrated boring and insertion line offered by BIESSESYSTEMS.



“BIESSEiNSIDE is a unique, strategic initiative for Biesse, calling the attention of both Italian and foreign analysts and investors,” commented Biesse Chairman Roberto Selci. “This event repeats the success of the first Biesse Inside, held last October, with four days dedicated to technology and innovation, which saw the participation of approximately 2,000 people from over 50 different countries. We are firmly convinced that it is of fundamental importance for our company to open its doors to customers and operators and establish a direct link with the market, providing a live demonstration of the company’s potential as well as our innovations in products and processes, foremost among these being the new Kaizen model.”



“In terms of manufacturing systems,” stressed Stefano Bartolini, Industrial Manager of Biesse, “Lean Manufacturing will enable us to reduce waste and inefficiency, perfecting a flexible manufacturing system that is able to ‘bend’ to the market, pursuing complete customer satisfaction, and as a result, achieving better profitability. Operating in an increasingly competitive industrial context, in which reduction of delivery times, quality of both the product and after-sales service, and reduction of manufacturing batches and overall costs, become critical factors for success, Biesse has felt the need for a radical re-thinking of its existing manufacturing flow, as the traditional methods used to improve efficiency and effectiveness are no longer sufficient to support change and guarantee success.”



ABOUT BIESSE S.p.A. – Founded in 1969 in Pesaro, Italy, Biesse S.p.A. is a leading manufacturer of wood, glass and stone fabrication equipment, supplying innovative engineering solutions to the panel machining and furniture making industries. # 1 in the manufacture and sale of CNC machines, Biesse S.p.A.’s products range from turnkey systems to individual machines, workstations and high-tech components. Along with an extensive global distribution network, Biesse S.p.A. has 18 subsidiaries on five continents and 2,400 employees.



Biesse S.p.A.’s North American presence is comprised of woodworking divisions Biesse America (Charlotte, NC) and Biesse Canada (Montreal, QC), and Intermac America (Charlotte, NC), the company’s glass and stonedivision. www.biesse.it • www.biesseamerica.com • www.biessecanada.com • www.intermacamerica.com