HISTORY AND MILESTONES

Lamiflex's thirty years of business are marked by constant innovation and improvements, based on the strongest principles of modern industry: advanced technology, the management's indisputable know-how and an intelligent use of ideas and materials. The results are easily seen: constant, competitive growth. The Group's dynamism, excellence in production and research, plus constant technological innovation have led to its current strong position in Italy and abroad: a market leader in the field of technical composite laminates, proposing innovative, often revolutionary and always cutting-edge products.

LAMIFLEX COMPOSITES is the company set up to develop the new products studied and designed by Lamiflex.

1976: Lamiflex started its business, introducing a revolutionary concept of how to produce flexible ribbons for looms. The first Italian customers were mainly loom manufacturers, literally won over by the innovative systems Lamiflex managed to create. The word quickly spread abroad, especially in Belgium, leading to the first major orders.

1980/85: Lamiflex consolidated its position on the international scene by gaining the trust of the majority of designers employed by the textile loom manufacturers, including those in Japan: the high technological content typical of Lamiflex products made it possible for manufacturers to up the speed of their machines, from the then average of roughly 350 picks/min to 500 picks/min. During this period a brand-new, innovative material appeared on the market: carbon fiber. Lamiflex immediately appreciated its great technical properties and began to use it to produce ribbons with a particularly high-tech content, replacing the steel ribbons used until then.

1985/1990: Lamiflex invested huge resources in research and technological innovation to diversify its output, gaining importance in other emerging sectors.

1986/1987: the advent of carbon fiber meant Lamiflex could approach the vacuum pump sector: some customers in this sector began to use Lamiflex carbon fiber blades in their pumps.

1988/1990: Lamiflex entered the motor sector with the production of plates for 2-stroke motors. The company also started to produce carbon fiber bows for stranding machines that met with immediate success.

1991: Lamiflex signed a production/trade agreement with an important French company operating on the textile machinery market; initial contacts with the medical industry via a key account; entrance in the electrical components sector with the production of bushes for medium-voltage switches and the creation of details for the sports-gear sector.

1993: Lamiflex gained ISO 9002 quality certification and acquired an important German customer in the X-ray field, thanks to important high-tech, high-output advances. Further developments in the medical field coincide with approaches to the leading Italian and foreign players in that field.

1994: consolidation in the sports sector, especially due to the introduction of innersoles for cyclists' shoes and ski-boots.

1996: Lamiflex founded New Composites, a Company that studies new materials and designs and develops alternative products.

1998: an important contract was signed for the production of doctor blades in the paper industry. Lamiflex started producing tubes and gained new customers in the packaging and furnishing sectors.

2001: Lamiflex decided to go for 14001 Environmental Certification. Major expansion on the Asian markets, especially in China, where constant growth in the textile machinery convinced Lamiflex to sign agreements with a Chinese partner. The result is Lamiflex China. A new, but not the last chapter in the company's history.

2002: the first charter of corporate values, marking a sincere moral commitment to all those adding their energy and resources to ensure the group’s success. Lamiflex went from ISO 9002 certification to IS0 9001: 2000 certification: this guarantees not just the production process, but also the product design. A new goal reached, in line with the group’s philosophy of total quality.

2003: the A.S.F.A.V.S. training school, first conceived by Fausto Radici and turned into reality thanks to the will of a group of entrepreneurs from the Val Seriana, among which Luigina Bernini, a firm believer in the value of this school. Lamiflex adopts the code of ethics promoted by Confindustria Bergamo to ensure full integration of foreign workers.

2004: the first kindergarten is opened in Ponte Nossa, thanks to local businesses and councils wanting to offer a valid form of support to families in the area . Lamiflex and New Composites take an active part in this right from the start. New applications are found for products in the field of sports thanks to the development of wheels and saddles with complex shapes and efficient technologies.

2005: acquisition of a new factory: eight thousand square metres are added to the Lamiflex group’s premises. Further confirmation of the company’s links with the local area. In line with current trends and the reform in Italian education, Lamiflex experiments with new school/work alternatives . Assocompositi is set up, a trade association much desired and supported by Lamiflex to expand composite materials know-how in new sectors. The association confirms its strong links with all aspects of the world of further education and vocational training. Lamiflex sponsors the "Visions" and "Cézanne & Renoir" shows, two major cultural events in the Bergamo area.

2006: the three-year research project into innovative high strength and long-lasting products for use in the textile machinery sector (rapier ribbons) ends with great success. A new mark of excellence is coined for this superior quality product: "STARX".

2007: the Group turns its attention to aerospace and starts working towards certification in this field. The goal is further technological diversification and innovation. The R&D Team is boosted by the entrance of highly professional figures. Having always been aware of the importance of Human Resource training, Lamiflex launches its “Formazione nell’Eccellenza” (Training in Excellence) project, the aim being to offer staff extra qualifications in view of potential changes that businesses expect to have to face in the near future.

2008: the new co-ordinated corporate image is created. New Composites becomes Lamiflex Composites to underline the strong ties between the two group companies. The Lamiflex Group obtains aeronautical certification and is proud to represent the Bergamo in this prestigious sector. The “Formazione nell’Eccellenza” project continues and is flanked by another new related project, “Passaggio Generazionale” (Generational Passage), so that new generations can get ready to take over the running of the Group. Always aware of social issues and family matters, Lamiflex launches the “Premio Nascite Aziendali” (New Business Award), the prize-money going to the staff coming up with the best new ideas.

2009: every sector of the Group’s business sees innovative projects in 2009. The Group invests heavily in internal reorganisation and management ; work starts on a corporate code of ethics and an equal opportunities code. The Group President, Luigina Bernini, is actively involved at a national level to promote recognition of female workers and their professionalism, something she has always believed in strongly. Lamiflex signs an important strategic agreement with Itema Weaving concerning the Italian and global textile machinery sector, the aim being to consolidate their partnership. Lamiflex, together with other businesses in the Bergamo area, kicks off a Lombard challenge to re-launch innovative textiles: the Lombartech consortium sets out to act as an incubator for cutting-edge projects in the textiles and textile machinery sectors. Another project, the result of an idea by Marcello Raimondi, under-secretary to the President’s Office at the Region of Lombardy, is “Mi fido di te” (I trust you), aimed at increasing people’s trust in each other by encouraging and sustaining real examples of mutual support in Lombardy. The President of the Lamiflex Group, Luigina Bernini, immediately joins in personally, as she feels trust is communicated by people, not just pretty logos. 2009 also sees the launch of the new CICLOTTE project: a stationary exercise bike coated in carbon and with a truly unique character, combining essential aesthetics and technology.