What are the advantages of OLI products compared to its competitors?
OLI stands out for several advantages compared to its competitors. It offers a high-quality product at a competitive price, ensuring timely delivery according to customer demands. Many competing companies have long faced issues related to production or material availability. On the other hand, OLI manages to satisfy customers both economically and in terms of service, offering technical and application advice, thereby developing a fruitful supplier-customer collaboration.
In which sectors are OLI products in demand?
Speaking of vibrators, OLI is present in the construction industry, concrete batching plants, ceramics and premixes, asphalt plants, heavy industry, specifically quarries and mines, extraction and processing of aggregates, and foundries. OLI also serves the food sector, including milling, pasta factories, and vegetable processing. Additionally, OLI caters to the plastic and chemical industry, as well as recycling.
We cover a wide range of fields. The vibrating machine, where the vibrators are normally installed, can be used with certain modifications across various sectors.
Is OLI considering automating some production processes? Are there any new developments on the horizon?
Here, at the headquarters, we manage a portion of the customization of OLI brand electric vibrators, and produce the Visam brand, and the entire range of pneumatic flow aids. The future target is to start producing certain sizes of OLI-branded electric vibrators on-site, specifically the larger sizes. Therefore, we are structuring ourselves to expand internal production here in Italy.
Does each branch have its own specific strategy, or do they all follow the same approach?
Each OLI branch is responsible for its respective territory. In most cases, the branches decide their own strategies, but there are general guidelines and constant communication with the corporate office.
In 2011, I was offered the opportunity to embark on a growth path as the manager of the Italian branch, developing the market and clientele. And here we are today, with our Trading Italy office, where I coordinate people, always without forgetting the most important and enjoyable part: selling and persuading customers to purchase from OLI.
How did you make the OLI brand known in Italy?
OLI initially started with a list of WAM customers in the concrete batching sector. We began by contacting and visiting these companies. Simultaneously, through various types of research and visits to trade fairs, we identified many other potential customers not connected to WAM but important for OLI.Subsequently, trade fairs where we exhibited, advertising campaigns, continuous research and scouting for new clients, and most importantly, word-of-mouth from satisfied customers have all contributed to spreading the OLI brand.
Lastly, a question about yourself: How did you come to work at OLI and how did you end up in the current office you are in?
I joined OLI in 2004 after completing my military service. I went for an interview at WAM as I was looking for a job. During the interview, I mentioned to the recruiter, «My ambition would be to work in an office, but I’m open to considering any opportunity.» They informed me that another company within the group was looking for personnel, not for an office role but for production. I had an interview with OLI and started working in the workshop assembling MVE units.
Since my goal was to work in a different role, I continued to explore other options to find what I was looking for. However, after about 7-8 months, while continuing my work in the workshop and learning a lot about the product, how a vibrator works, its components, installation, and assembly, an opportunity arose to work in the office. OLI was searching for a customer assistant, and they offered me the position, which I immediately accepted.
As a customer assistant, I entered the office and gradually grew, achieving good results. Over time, the opportunity arose to become a salesperson. I became the sector manager for Italy and later also the area manager for some foreign areas. This allowed me to travel to Europe, the United States, India, and China, learning and experiencing different cultures.
In 2011, I was offered the opportunity to embark on a growth path as the manager of the Italian branch, developing the market and clientele. And here we are today, with our Trading Italy office, where I coordinate people, always without forgetting the most important and enjoyable part: selling and persuading customers to purchase from OLI.