In the current context of global competition and instability, traditional internationalisation strategies are no longer sufficient to achieve a real competitive edge.
It is a good idea to activate all the resources deriving from every phase of the company’s activity: from purchasing policies aimed at improving services to innovative technological and commercial choices, from decisions taken in the short term to punctual delivery and uncompromising product quality.
All factors focused on by supply chain policies implemented by the SLIM management, and which drive the company towards continuous renovation.
With a very pragmatic and focused vision, SLIM carries out its business in a logic of partnership with its customers and stakeholders, through the identification and anticipation of their needs. Moreover, the constant control of the manufacturing cycle ensures top-quality products which, together with respect of delivery deadlines, represent some of its strong points.
The specificity of the products on offer has enabled the company to enter, grow and establish itself on the international market which accounts for 40% of its turnover,
The company has its headquarters and production facility in Biassono (MB), in the north of Italy, one of the most productive and technologically-advanced areas of Europe and relies on a highly reactive workforce of 30 people, with senior technicians who have grown up in the field supported by numerous new-generation engineers.
The ability to come up with solutions distinguishes many front-running companies, but the ability to consider the value of human resources as well as technological resources confers a further plus feature for the success of the company.
In recent years, besides having invested heavily in human resources, the company has also achieved a significant increase in R&D and production equipment.
The skills acquired by the technical staff allow the company to cater to very broad range of applications in the lighting, HVAC and household appliances sectors. The company’s versatility and ability to produce spare parts enables SLIM to also supply a vast network of distributors as well.
The product life cycle and the pressing demand for customised versions act as a springboard, dissuading the company from merely maintaining its consolidated advantages, but motivating it to define strategies which are increasingly more competitive and such as to achieve high technological goals.
All this in a correct context of procedures and commitments for the positive management of hi-tech waste, with full respect for the environment. Slim scrupulously complies with the Directive 2011/65/EU (Ro- HS) and the European Regulation No.1907/2006 (REACH) on the environment.
As proof of the company’s belief in a sustainable future, since 2012, it has been operating a photovoltaic plant for the generation of electricity and in 2022 it has integrated it with more panels to reach 40% of energy self-production for the daily needs.
The stages of continuous growth
In the 2000’s Slim began to integrate LED technology in the production of indicators,
but since its foundation in 1973, the company has never stopped fostering the technological renewal of its product range, to supply the market with increasingly more advanced and efficient products.
Initially, production was focused on glass neon lamps and electromechanical switches (its name is in fact the acronym of Società Lampade Interruttori Mercurio (Mercury Lamps Switches Company); in just a short time, the manufacture of new light indicators began, followed by switches.
Sturdy design ensures long life and reliable operation. The company has all the know-how required to create a variety of different product codes, reducing outsourcing to the utmost.
It has a fleet of presses to produce all the plastic components used for the broad range of products in its catalogue, recently joined by a latest-generation CNC system.
In a second department, the components undergo the first steps of the production process with seaming and welding operations followed by assembly; it is in this latter phase that the decades of experience acquired by operators is best expressed, because the success of the finished component depends above all on correct assembly.
Testing is the last step in the production cycle, a distinctive process which certifies quality assurance; a quality standard controlled by means of various protocols and customer audits.
Lots are also put into production according to the absorption capacity of customers: by means of forecast rolling in the case of large customers and with flexibility for the smaller ones. If necessary, the Kanban production system is also used, with standard codes customized to specific needs.
In any case, for any required solution, our technical team is always available to support the customer’s design phase. Stock management is carried out according to service logics which consequently also differentiates the type of offer.
“The pragmatic vision allows to carry out the partnership with the customers and the identification of their needs…”
From neon to incandescent and LED chips
The goal in the new millennium is to improve efficiency and ensure increasingly innovative solutions to become a benchmark for worldwide customers.
Changing product targets also sees a change in competitors and therefore, recently, both the marketing function and the sales team have been reinforced. According to the management, to match the market demands the R&D and production teams have been increasing in the levels of synergy and the standard of efficiency and responsiveness, while maintaining or upgrading that flexibility which has been aligned with expectations.
Standard indicator codes continue to be produced and hallmarked by reliability, while for new products, materials and possible technical and design applications are studied. The R&D laboratory plays a major role in this process by studying the possible uses of latest-generation LEDs and optical fibres. Alongside more traditional lighting solutions such as courtesy lights on household appliances, backlighting projects are being studied, and in particular the use of optical fibre (the IP65 plastic fibre is used for its flexibility) or tailor-made LED SMDs.
Because LEDs take up very little space, it is possible to miniaturize components and characterize them with a reduced, yet high-efficiency emitting surface, protected from electrostatic discharges, transient- and over-voltages.
Thanks to the innovative features of these lights, SLIM has launched a range of LED-based indicator lamps which can be used in all major indicator applications, making possible simple and cost-effective solutions. LED technology offers extraordinary flexibility for both designers in general and light designers in particular.
The mass production of LED devices takes place in the facility of a sister company with an SMT assembly line, which ensures superior quality and is a key step in the transition to the manufacture of semiconductor- based lighting solutions. The LED devices manufactured by SLIM are equipped with an anti-luminescence circuit, which boasts undisputed quality.
Two generations, continuity
With Raffaella Zambellini and Matteo Cattani, the Italian company is now in its second generation, a guarantee of continuity and entrepreneurial skill along a path stretching across more than 45 years.
Tradition and dedication are the values of the founding members, updated with the same passion by the second generation, bearer of a vision focused on new technologies, which looks to the future while always aware of its important historical background.
“The first neon indicators were surpassed by the introduction of LED indicators – comments Co-CEO and administrative director, Raffaella Zambellini, – technology in continuous evolution and which opens up new scenarios. The technological developments of the last decade enable us today to achieve innovative solutions and look at our market in a new and further-reaching perspective.
The company constantly invests in new systems to better manage the entire production cycle and R&D activities. The use of recently introduced stereolithography 3D printers and the die-sinking EDM machine makes it possible to considerably enhance prototyping, while the adoption of numerical control machines makes production even more flexible and efficient.
“We want to continue to grow by developing the technology sector,” continues Matteo Cattani, Co-CEO and quality manager, “strengthening existing partnerships and training our staff to constantly improve service and production.”
“Tradition and dedication are the values of the founding members, updated with the same passion by the second generation…”
SLIM would like to form business relationships with resellers in India to introduce its Light Indicator range of products. We believe we have the right type of pf products to offer to the growing electronics industry of India. SLIM is soliciting expressions of interest from Indian potential partners who are interested in buying our products for the Indian market.”
For more information:
SLIM Srl is represented by Octagona India
Email: octagona.india@octagona.com,
Website: www.slim.it/en
