The 78th Ordinary Meeting of Amafond, the Italian Foundry Suppliers Association, was held on May 9, 2024. Elections were held for the renewal of corporate offices for the three-year period 2024-2026: Andrea Todeschini, CEO of HA Italia Spa and Vice President Europe of HA Group, was elected as the new President of Amafond. Tiziana Tronci (Board Member - Gefond Srl) was appointed among the Directors for the Products Group.

This was followed by a panel discussion entitled Governance and generational continuity in family businesses.

Tiziana Tronci spoke along withPresident Andrea Todeschini who moderated the meeting, Marina Brogi professor of Economics at Sapienza University of Rome, Luca Petoletti, Partner at The European House - Ambrosetti. Federica Pederzoli, Meccanica Pi.Erre, and Piero Starita, Laviosa Chimica Mineraria.

Marina Brogi: All over the world, family businesses are the backbone. It is common for the entrepreneur to start with family capital and through his or her entrepreneurial verve and ability to be goal-focused to be the driving force behind the growth momentum of small and medium-sized businesses. The blend of entrepreneur/family and business is the strength. Family businesses are the most capable of surviving crises. Being an entrepreneur, however, is a talent, and it is not so easy to pass on.

Luca Petoletti: The best time for generational transition is when the company is doing well, when there is firm leadership, when people are getting along. We need to work on awareness and training of the younger generation, communication, and it would be better to share in advance how to live together, rather than doing it under date or too late.

Tiziana Tronci: My father left me the freedom to choose, and when I joined the company it was my choice. I decided to join Gefond very late after 15 years of managerial experience in other industries. The fact that I joined the company at a mature age also makes a difference, because I had a background of prior experience that allowed me to bring new visions and earn my father's trust. And my father is happy to see that something he started 30 years ago can continue over time.

Reference sites:
Gefond - Foundry Equipment
Amafond - Italian Foundry Suppliers Association