December 2007

Thirty years of Nuova Fima: Stefano Mele
After almost a year from being appointed CEO of Nuova Fima, I am pleased with the results achieved following the development process that started with the acquisition of Nuova Fima by Favonius Venture Holdings in October 2005. Nuova Fima is part of a global niche market, with three fundamental characteristics:

• Its customers are companies that lead ceramic world production;
• Its employees are highly competent and the company’s key positions are held by professionals renowned in their respective sectors;
• Many Nuova Fima products represent the reference in their sector with regards to performance, reliability and durability.

The year 2007 is one of anniversaries: 30 years of Nuova Fima, 20 years of Surface Inspection, Bristol and 10 years of Surface Inspection, Spain.  We are proud to have concluded a range of innovations that improve both our products and the services offered to our customers worldwide.  Our aim is to guarantee continuous development of a wider and better range of products together with an even more efficient service to our customers.  The introduction of extended service hours enables us to offer immediate support outside of normal working hours.

For the next three years, in addition to further consolidating its position in existing markets, Nuova Fima will concentrate on three main targets:

• Growth in our existing markets and further improvement in terms of efficiency and profitability of all internal and external processes of the company;
• Strengthening our customer relationships in order to develop products to give the most efficient production;
• Increased level of service to all territories.

Background to Nuova Fima
Established in 1977 and based in Spezzano, Italy, Nuova Fima designs and manufactures technologically leading products.

Nuova Fima was acquired in 2005 by Favonius Ventures Holdings, a Dutch private equity investment company that saw major growth opportunities in the ceramic sector and decided to build a group of companies with ambitious goals.

As the first step, Surface Inspection, the undisputed market leader of automatic inspection systems for the quality control of ceramic tiles, was acquired in late 2005.  The two companies, whilst keeping their individual product brands, work together with common strategies and commercial policies.

Progress to date
Nuova Fima’s turnover has increased from €28.2 million in 2005 to €31.7 million in 2006.  With the addition of Surface Inspection’s turnover, expectations for 2007 are to exceed €40 million.  With a relative growth compared to previous years, the group’s has increased substantially its operating profits.

Product and sales strategies
Nuova Fima has always been one of the leading companies in the evolution of systems for factory automation, in particular for the ceramic tile industry.  It’s prominent position is the result of thoroughly understanding it’s customers needs, the capability to provide reliable solutions and working with customers to adapt and help them optimize their equipment to give the most efficient production.
More than 20 per cent of the group’s employees in Italy and the UK are dedicated to the continuous development of our products.  Over €2 million has been invested in research and development this year and several innovative and competitive products have been introduced to the market:

• Genusis 120², a sorting machine based on the successful technology of the Synthesis, Nuova Fima’s leading product with more than 700 installations worldwide.  Genusis 120² can sort large format tiles up to 120x120 cm;
• CPK T120² packing machine, a totally new concept of packing with the ability to pack large format tiles up to 120x120 cm;
• Surface Inspection Flawmaster 5G, the latest generation of automatic tile inspection systems;
• LGway range of laser guided vehicles, vehicles with single and double rollers and those with telescopic forks;
• GEMA, the digital decorating system for ceramic tiles, developed in collaboration with Jemtex.  GEMA provides digital inkjet printing technology but without the associated problems found in similar technologies.

International presence
By operating group policies and integrating the customer support services of associated companies, Nuova Fima has increased its presence in key regions and has improved the quality and quantity of the services offered in countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Spain, South East Asia, Iran, Turkey, Germany and Russia.