Marco Lombardini: 'Our motto is continuous improvement'

As a new player in the awning market, Plastex has been in the spotlight several times in recent Z&Rs. The man who usually operates out of the spotlight, but plays an important role within the company, is Marco Lombardini, owner and the technical and innovative brain of Plastex. An interview.

How did it all start?

"I was born into a Milanese family with a rich history in the processing of thermoplastic materials. My father was a pioneer in this field from 1952, especially granular extrusion. He was a forerunner in co-extrusion and in 1955 founded Per. Ind. Mario Lombardini. My father's entrepreneurial character was an inspiration to me. His passion and know-how led me to also pursue a career in the plastics industry with a specific focus on products for the construction industry." 

How has the company developed?

"Plastex was founded in 1949 by the entrepreneur Greco, focusing on the production of molded plastic products. It was not until the late 1960s that the company introduced extrusion technology, primarily to produce rigid profiles for the construction and furniture industries. In 1989, Plastex moved to its current location and then introduced raw material production to produce color variations."

"In 2000, the Lombardini industrial group took a majority stake in the company. Until 2011, when I became full owner, I personally oversaw the technical and commercial aspects of the company. A year later, we broke new ground by modernizing our production of thermoplastic materials and introducing production based on super polymers. This allowed us to expand into new markets and we acquired eight new patents to prepare Plastex for the future. Meanwhile, the company is ready to continue its success under the leadership of my sons Samuele and Giacomo." 

What do you think are the company's key achievements and how what is their impact on the plastics industry?

"In addition to having a clear vision and the ability to adapt to new market challenges, Plastex has achieved significant results through passion, dedication and a willingness to innovate. By prioritizing technical over economic solutions, we are able to compete effectively in all the sectors in which we operate." 

Balancing sustainability and profitability often proves challenging. How does Plastex address this and what measures have you taken to position your company as a forerunner for a sustainable future?

"Sustainability is a universal principle that fundamentally contributes to the development of our company. We are a green company with respect for the environment. The sustainability principle guides all our projects. By also raising awareness of sustainability among our customers, we can develop new ideas as well as products that not only benefit the environment, but also increase profitability." 

Can you talk about some of Plastex's most innovative products and solutions? How can they meet industry challenges?

"To answer this question, we must take into account the valuable experiences that have been passed down for two generations. They have taught us to develop products that meet customer requirements and are innovative solutions to problems." 

"Our products all have unique names that not infrequently articulate the solution to a particular problem. ClipZip®, PAD, Continuum and AVIASTA®, for example, all offer solutions to common problems, such as noise reduction and resistance to weather and aging." 

Over the years, Plastex has expanded its business globally. Can you describe how you enter new markets and address the challenges?

"Challenges are there to be met. The success of our company is based on the experience of our employees and partners, who have assisted us in competing with market leaders for more than five decades. This and our vision of different markets have allowed us to adapt to diverse needs. Today we are represented on four continents. Time and again, we put our knowledge and experience to the best use for our customers to tackle the challenges they face." 

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the plastics industry and how does Plastex plan to meet them?

"The biggest challenge we face is actually ethical: it is essential to align our actions with our values. Despite the general perception, the plastics industry is not mature. Constant development means there is always something new to think about. One challenge is to improve the technical properties of available raw materials without losing their intrinsic properties. Another is to ensure sustainability." 

Finally, what is the company's vision for the future and what initiatives are you taking to achieve it?

"Our motto is continuous improvement. To meet the challenges of the future, we need foresight and to stick to our values. For me, these are work, ethics and respect. I see these values as fundamental to all of our futures. They allow us to grow and improve as a company while remaining true to ourselves. We must remember that hard work, integrity and adherence to our ethical principles are prerequisites for continued success." 

Thank you!