Category: Factory Life

A degree in agriculture and a future as a sommelier: “But I’d rather go back to moulding.”

At first glance, it might seem like the outcome of a failed attempt, but the story Lapo tells us shows us that work takes on value above all in the gratification, relationships and serenity it brings us.

Let’s take it one step at a time. Lapo joined Euro Stampaggi in 2021, at the age of 19, with an agricultural diploma in his pocket, which at that time was mainly useful for dreaming: cultivating his passion for oenology. So, while working shifts in the Stamping Department, he obtained his Sommelier diploma and perfected his English. “In December 2024,” says Lapo, “I received a job offer from a leading wine shop: it was difficult to refuse, as it was an opportunity to turn my lifelong passion into a profession. I decided to give it a go, but after a few months of stress, bad relations with management and impossible hours… I began to miss my old colleagues, manual labour and scheduled shifts that left me free time to spend with friends and loved ones.”

“I always stayed in touch with my colleagues at Euro Stampaggi,” Lapo continues, “and when I said I would gladly return to my old job, I was welcomed with open arms. What struck me most,” he confesses, “was their interest in me, my story, the reasons for my change of heart and the analysis of the causes of what could be considered a failure. I found my balance again, and in the end, I realised that work cannot deprive you of the most important things. Now I can go back to taking care of my passion; I will continue to be a volunteer sommelier at Fisar events and take care of my wine collection.”

Joined Euro Stampaggi at the age of 16, with registration number 4.

Maria Grazia Neri has ceased her employment at Euro Stampaggi. She began working for the company at the age of 16 (when it was still called SiCo). Registered in the employee register with the number 4, she saw the company grow and many new colleagues arrive, and always treated everyone like a second family.

The editorial staff and all colleagues at Euro Stampaggi wish Maria Grazia a future filled with serenity and satisfaction.

Also on stage were “our” Antonella and Giuliano.

The warehouse at Civico 25 hosted a theatre performance for the second time, repeating the highly successful experience of the previous year. The play was “Consiglio di fabbrica” (Works Council), based on Stefano Massini’s play “7 minuti” (7 Minutes).

The story is about an important textile factory which, after a change in management, sees the new owners make a simple request to the workers in order to avoid closure or redundancies: to reduce their break time from 15 to 8 minutes. A request that is only seemingly harmless and easy to accept when the jobs of two hundred people are at stake… but the dialogue changes and leads to reflection on the future, on rights and on dignity.

Under the direction of Fabrizio Pinzauti, the eight women and three men on stage must decide during the works council meeting whether or not to comply with this request. They are all different workers, each with their own story behind them. Bianca, the spokesperson for the works council, tries to make her colleagues understand that this question is only apparently simple and innocent, but hides dangerous pitfalls.

Playing the role of Maria, the veteran of the weaving department, is our extraordinary Antonella Bocci, who returns to the stage alongside her husband Giuliano Simonelli, who plays the role of the former director.

“In almost half a century, I have seen this company grow step by step”.

After working in other offices and a maternity leave, Luciana Allori arrived at Euro Stampaggi on 17 March 1988, when it was still called SiCo and when there were fifteen employees. “I have seen this company grow step by step,’ Allori recounts, ‘and every day for me coming into the office was a joy. I started working at the age of 14, after eighth grade, and what I have learnt I owe to the work, to the people I have met. I thank Giuliano for the human relationship he had with me and for his ability to choose people, first and foremost Dr Ciampi, who supported me and made me grow so much, both professionally and humanly; it was a fundamental professional collaboration for me, which then continued with Dr Becattini’. In fact, Luciana had already retired in 2014, but for over ten years she continued her service in the administrative office, even if only part time: ‘They asked me to continue to lend a hand,’ she explains, ‘and I did it with pleasure, because I felt good about it and because I saw the two young colleagues in the administrative office grow.

He joined Euro Stampaggi on 2 May 1989 (when it was still Si.Co.).
The baton of Head of Stamping Department passes to Lorenzo Soffici

Giuseppe Bellassai joined Euro Stampaggi on 2 May 1989(when the company was still called Si.Co.) and after 34 years he reached retirement age. After working as a paper worker, a ceramist and a mechanic, he came to Si.Co. to start working as a printer. Over the years he has managed to grow a team of capable and motivated young people around him that represents one of the flagships of Euro Stampaggi’s production. Leading this team will be Lorenzo Soffici, who took over from Bellassai in the role of Stamping Department Manager.

The brilliant comedy ‘The Last Ticket’ in the premises of Euro Mim Toscana

It was a special evening on 13 May, when the premises of Civico 25 were transformed into a theatre to host the brilliant comedy ‘The Last Ticket’ written and directed by Fabrizio Pinzauti. Among the eleven talented actors were our own Antonella Bocci and Giuliano Simonelli. A beautiful show for an equally beautiful occasion of meeting and conviviality.

Twenty-seven years spent in the workshop department

Retirement time has also arrived for Alberto Vignoli. He joined Officina as a temporary worker in 1997 with a one-week contract and has not left his job for 27 years. “After the first three years,’ says Vignoli, ‘I hoped for a permanent contract, because I liked the work and because I saw great prospects in this company; and I was not wrong. Thanks to that contract I became professionally fulfilled, but I was also able to realise my life’s dreams’. On the day of his discharge, Alberto could not hold back emotion and tears: ‘I was very fond of my job and my workmates,’ he says, ‘and I also had an extraordinary relationship with the management. Giuliano then was a perfect employer; I still remember when he and Antonella insisted that I address them with ‘tu’: a simple gesture but one that made me feel like a friend’.