Established in 1973 for the production of gaskets for refrigerators, the enterprise created by Valter Giavazzi has succeeded in upgrading according to technological evolutions and today it proposes a broad range that goes from soundproofing materials to expanded filters, to fabric sleeves up to heat shields that equip also professional coffee machines by renowned brands.
This year, Pavia company Magneti Plastic celebrates fifty years. Its history starts in 1973, when the company was founded by Valter Giavazzi. «He started working in 1971 in a company that manufactured and marketed rubber – tells his daughter Raffaella, who since 1992 has collaborated with him in the business management –. The first occupation of production clerk was a tight fit for him. So, already after a few months, he switched to sales, becoming a sales representative. Having gained the necessary experience, after two years he decided to open his own business and was surrounded by a staff of people experienced in rubber production. In this way the company was born, which started its business by producing gaskets for refrigerators». And it is from such gaskets that the name Magneti Plastic was born: in fact, they have a magnetic core.
More and more sophisticated products
Professionalism and expertise in the sector of the processing of compact rubbers, foam filters in punched and sewn PPI as well as in the production and design of parts upon design. These are the peculiarities that characterize the offer by Magneti Plastic.
«Modern structures and high-tech machines – Raffaella Giavazzi specifies – allow us to supply more and more sophisticated products implemented according to customers’ requirements. All materials used in our processing comply with the regulations in force like RoHs and Reach».
The production of all items takes place internally in the blanking and sewing departments.
The dedicated technical office, starting from the prototype provided by the customer, takes care of soundproofing and/or insulation for the final sound level tests. «Our factory – Raffaella Giavazzi affirms – has several processing departments that allow us to create details in blanking with drawing shapes from 50 mm to 600 mm, working with water-jet and vertical cuts».
The sewing department that produces the final piece closes the production cycle with the application of Velcro or elastic bands.
Not only gaskets
Over the years, production has expanded and, still remaining in the household appliance field, gaskets for refrigerators have been joined by those for vacuum products, steam cleaning machines, ovens and hoods.
Today, however, Magneti Plastic is also active in several other market niches, very different from each other but sharing the same problem: the need for soundproofing.
These are first and foremost areas such as earthmoving equipment (such as excavators and tractors), power generators, light towers and compressors. «It also happens that we are contacted by people who decide to equip music rehearsal rooms to reduce the sound perceived outside. In these cases, we are joined by a partner, an expert who is able to make a study based on the instruments that will be played in such rooms, their size, and where they are located. This allows us to define the most suitable type of soundproofing. We also work with companies that make musical instruments and loudspeakers».
However, soundproofing can also address other environments where background noise can be a nuisance, such as bars or restaurants. «We also receive requests from those who decide to make their premises quieter – adds Raffaella Giavazzi –. Even in these cases, we carry out on-site sound measurements and then propose the best solution. Room soundproofing is an ever-evolving field where the result sought can be achieved in different ways. Now soundproof panels that look like pictures are in high demand: they hang on the walls and effectively perform their function. Panels can also be used that come down from the ceiling and are attached to the wall and are shaped like pillows, to be covered with various types of fabric to better match the decor. The possibilities are really many, but the basis of every soundproofing solution is always the same product: foam resin».
From rubber to expanded resin
To foam resin Magneti Plastic arrived because of a happy intuition of Valter Giavazzi. In fact, as he went to appliance manufacturers to propose rubber gaskets, which are still an integral part of the company’s price list, he identified additional needs. Thus, materials such as polyurethane foam and melamine were gradually included in production. «Ours is a market that is always on the move – adds Raffaella Giavazzi – and when you talk to suppliers you often hear about a new material with interesting characteristics. Today, for example, polyurethane foam is often replaced by polyester fiber: it is a better performing material on acoustics and has a very high degree of self-extinguishing because it is a class 1 product. This improves the performance of the final product».
Coffee machines
Magneti Plastic operates in many market niches and has several companies as customers who make products in our country but then sell them mainly abroad. It also has some customers in Europe , mostly in Portugal, Spain, France and Hungary. It is then in the process of negotiating with a customer in the United States as well. This is a company that manufactures coffee machines. «That of coffee machines is a sector in which we have been particularly active for about ten years now: we produce stitched heat shields, gaskets and silicone tubes – says Raffaella Giavazzi –. It is a growing market because coffee is still a niche product. In Italy there are several manufacturers of professional-type machines. Each reality has its own particularity and this makes our country a nation with a high authority regarding the production of coffee machines. Our customers offer them to luxury restaurants, cruise ships and bars of a certain level. Some manufacturers also produce machines for the family, those that use capsules and pods, but their target audience remains bars and high-end restaurants. Some other customers have instead specialized on traditional machines for individuals».
One aspect Raffaella Giavazzi emphasizes is the fact that effectively thermally insulating a coffee machine means maintaining a high boiler temperature for a longer time and thus reducing the consumption of the electricity needed to heat the water. But it also limits CO2 emissions, which benefits the environment.
An important growth
«We are quite well placed in several market niches», claims Raffaella Giavazzi. This statement implies a turnover that last year exceeded 1 million euros. «After the pandemic, there was a growth of more than 40%, which led us to reach the current figures, an achievement that I am proud of – Raffaella Giavazzi stresses –. To meet the new needs, we have made hires both in production and in the office; maintaining growth is challenging». Currently, at its headquarters in Guinzano (near Pavia), Magneti Plastic has a plant of about 1,500 square meters (of which 100 are for offices) where 10 people work (7 in production). The company also has a branch office, in the province of Imperia. This is a recently activated division. Directly supervised by Valter Giavazzi, its purpose is to manage relations with shipowners and shipping companies that use Magneti Plastic products, particularly soundproof panels for engine rooms, made with innovative materials, both in terms of performance and environmental sustainability.
The force of expertise and of an always well stocked-up warehouse
«Todays the highlights of Magnetic Plastic are professionalism and technical training – Raffaella Giavazzi states –. Our long-term experience in the sector allows us to identify the most suitable materials for satisfying customers’ requirements. The addition of the availability of a well-stocked-up warehouse permits us to give customers an increasingly short lead time, especially as a solution to urgencies».
