Metalmont is an Italian agro-industrial Benefit Corporation, operating in the storage field of bulk agricultural products since 1986. Among the main activities of the company, there are the designing, manufacturing and marketing of material handling equipment, grain cleaners and storage facilities like silo plants or automated flat storage warehouses. The company operates in different continents, including Europe. Concerning Romania, Metalmont has done some installations for Romanian millers, sunflower producers and traders, including in the port of Constanta. Through its activity, the company supports also the achievement of Food Security in some developing countries in Africa and South East Asia, in line with the Goal n.2 “Hunger” goal of the United Nations Agenda.
Interview with Iacopo Meghini, CEO & Nicoleta Axenti, Marketing Manager at Metalmont.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Iacopo Meghini: The company designs storage solutions for all the operators along the grain value chain “from field to fork“ ensuring the most suitable storage solutions for cereal cooperatives, dry and wet ports traders, bread and pasta industry, cocoa and nuts processors and the animal feed sector. Metalmont is currently entering also the fertilizers and biofuel markets by providing these industries with highly technological solutions, focusing on safety issues, zero pollution and the optimization of the Total Cost of Ownership (ROI).
What’s the news about new products/services?
I.M: At Metalmont we strongly believe in customization because every operator that deals with the agricultural commodities, has different needs and issues to solve. That’s why our engineers work hard from the simple customization of the equipment, to the research and development of new solutions. Some of these are now patent pending and we’re eager to unveil them, very soon!
What are the ranges of products/services?
I.M: Metalmont products are basically the machines used for the mechanization of silos plants, namely material handling equipment like conveyors and bucket elevators and grain pre-cleaning systems. Metalmont specializes also on the mechanization and automation of flat warehouses and hangars used as an alternative of the silo plants.
Among services provided by Metalmont there are the pre-sale support on storage plant configuration, consultancy on Return on Investment, project financing tools, design and customization of machines, installation supervision and after-sales support.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
I.M: In the European countries we have noticed that there is a general decrease of investment from the operators, who are threatened from one side by the Ukrainian situation and by the smaller funds granted by the EU. On the other hand, we feel a good potential of business in the developing countries as well as in the American continent.
What can you tell us about market trends?
I.M: Addressing the Food Security issue will be crucial for sure in the next decades, having seen the constant world population growth. We see an increase in demand both for food crops and feed, so hard work will be needed not only to increase soil yield, but also to reduce at minimum the post-harvesting loss through proper cleaning, drying and storage techniques and solutions.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
I.M: One of our most innovative solutions is the automated green flat storage warehouse, the so-called Robot, that allows the automatic and safe management of bulk products inside the storage facility, through remote control. The alternative would be the management through wheel loaders which causes pollution and non-constant productivity. This system applies also to products that cannot be stored in silo because of their properties.
What estimations do you have for the rest of 2024?
I.M: In general, to be stable and mirroring the past 2 years, with an unstable situation in Eastern Europe but promising numbers in many other regions and countries.