ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Anna Garbagna reports from Italy on changes to the board of the cleaning product manufacturers’ body.

The assembly of AfidampFAB (Association of Italian Manufacturers of Machines, Products and Tools for the Professional Cleaning and Environment Hygiene) took place in Milan recently for the election of the board of directors for 2018/2019.

At the opening of the session, the acting president Gianfranco Bonotto highlighted the importance of debate in the cleaning market. This is Afidamp’s own method: within the association all ideas are generally heard, confronted and analysed and it is essential there is an open dialogue focused on reaching shared decisions.

Stefania Verrienti, secretary of the association, then outlined the activities carried out by  AfidampFAB in the two-year period of 2016/2017. She thanked member companies for their active and effective participation in shared projects - to which they have devoted availability, time and knowledge.

By virtue of this level of involvement it was possible to improve relationships with other trade bodies, to establish contacts and new partnerships with sectors in which the cleaning industry plays a role of critical importance. Research projects have been started with prestigious universities and training courses implemented - the aim is that Afidamp becomes a true and recognised reference point for establishing rules related to hygiene and the protection of human health and the environment.

After the secretary’s speech, it was time for the election. The elected board of directors consists of Francesco Pasquini and Riccardo Trionfera (paper), Giuseppe del Duca, Vito Palmisano, Giuseppe Riello and Giampaolo Ruffo (machines), Michele Guida (chemicals), Michele Redi (equipment) and Gianfranco Bonotto (components). Lastly came the elections of the leadership with the choice of Giuseppe Riello, elected president and Gianfranco Bonotto as vice-president, which  made possible the establishment of a new executive team.

Giuseppe Riello has been  managing director of Ghibli & Wirbel Spa since 2014, and was part of the retiring management. In the last 12 years he has been vice-president of Confindustria and he is currently  president of Verona Chamber of Commerce.

A strong supporter of community life (in fact his credo is summed up in the quote: “If you want to go fast, go by yourself; if you want to go far, go together with others”), Giuseppe Riello thanked everyone for their trust in him and declared himself ready and capable, with the help of his colleagues, to guide Afidamp towards new horizons of development.

We must not forget the mandate the new management will have to carry out is very delicate, as a result of the Extraordinary General Meeting in December 2017, during which the proposal of partnership with ISSA was approved and it was decided the new board would conduct negotiations to define the project and the protection of the association’s interests.

This is a project of great responsibility which will see the leadership and associates engaged with great commitment on a number of fronts in order to safeguard Afidamp’s’ future, and preserve the recognition the association has been building over recent years.