Negri Bossi is a historic company, established in 1947 in Milan and, since 1960’s, the headquarters are located in Cologno Monzese (Milan). The company is known globally as a leading supplier of premium injection moulding machines and technologies and the 6th largest manufacturer in the world.
Interview with Craig Ward, Group General Manager at Negri Bossi.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Craig Ward: For us, Automotive represents a key market but we supply also into medical, packaging electro-domestic, electronics.
Our range of machines covers all the needs of the market. For example, the ALL ELECTRIC NOVA eT machine is suitable for sectors with greater technological content, where there is a need for very high precision, speed and cleaning such as medical, electronic and electrical.
The NOVA sT big tons (600-1300t) and the BIPOWER respond perfectly to the automotive production as well as the NOVA iT are dedicated to packaging sector.
E.E: What’s the news for 2021 about new products?
C.W: The new product of 2021 is the NOVA sT hydraulic machine from 180 to 1300 tons with servo powered toggle technology.
The NOVA sT up to 500t is a renewal of our historic CANBIO sT series machine instead from 600 to 1300t with the new patented toggle developed vertically, we intend to replace the successful and reliable VECTOR series, adding to the latter higher mechanical performance and better energy efficiency.
The machine is equipped with the patented Motus controller, the „first” true multi touch Controller with innovative gesture navigation system incorporating swipe, scroll&zoom functions.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
C.W: We have one of the most comprehensive product ranges in the industry.
Our production range is very wide:
The hydraulic machines are from 180 to 7000 tons and the electric ones from 50 to 450 tons.
We have also MULTIMAT, multi-component machinery of all sizes and configurations. Whether it is 2 or 8 units, vertical, horizontal, parallel or piggy back., we have engineered the modules and powerpacks.
With the NOVA iT (550-1150t) we complete the range: it is a hybrid machine with toggle technology.
All our hybrid and hydraulic machines are equipped with our innovative MOTUS controller.
Negri Bossi is a trusted partner that provides customized solutions for LSR and thermosetting resins injection moulding.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
C.W: We are active in more than 50 markets worldwide. 40/50 countries in the world and our main market is the European one. We are strongest in Europe, but are also well established in both North and south America as well as India.
The North American market remained strong last year whilst Europe has quickly bounced back this year after a disruptive 2020. Soth America and India remain with difficulties entirely due to covid pandemic.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
C.W: Market trends in this period are overall sustainability and reshoring. About sustainability we have our product NOVA eT, all electric machine that guarantees energy efficient platen movement and a clean environment thanks to the oil free linear platen guides. The bimetallic barrel, the ceramic heater bands give better insulation and with the fan cooled servo motors also increase energy efficiency. The other trend, the reshoring, is a typical effect of pandemic period, the job returns cause to logistic problems that have affected everyone.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
C.W: The future is ENVIRONMENT and industry 4.0.
We are looking to the future with an optimistic view, we are already able to process biodegradable material and during these years we have developed the INDUSTRY 4.0 project. Our Amico 4.0 Negri Bossi system allows integration with customer’s management systems and agree to Industry 4.0 specifications for an increasingly control of industrial processes.
Craig Ward, Group General Manager at Negri Bossi
The system permits:
- to exchange data between Negri Bossi injection molding machines and customer control server, adapting to customer’s protocol, in an open source environment.
- to send new production data and receive a production upgrade in real time.
- To show all machines connected in an easy dashboard.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2021?
C.W: We projected a bounce back of around 20% but in reality, have found the growth to be more significant than we expected.
Our Q1 revised forecast is now projecting numbers not too dissimilar to those pre-pandemic.