Promoting innovation, improving processes and recognising the contribution of every employee: these objectives form the basis of the ‘Cassetta delle idee’, an idea management initiative designed to gather practical suggestions and turn them into useful solutions for the entire Pittini Group.
How does it work?
Every year, from February to November, all staff members have the opportunity to share their ideas through dedicated channels, suggesting ways to improve the company in various areas.
Proposals may relate to all areas of the business, and over the years, many contributions have focused on sustainability, technical and operational aspects, safety and work organisation.
Once collected, the ideas are assessed on the basis of feasibility, creativity and usefulness, and at the end of each round, every branch of the Group organises a special event to reward the employees who submitted the best proposals.
However, the life cycle of ideas does not end there. The ultimate goal is to turn them into real projects, develop the ideas behind them and, above all, put them into practice.
A project that began as a pilot scheme at Acciaierie di Verona and has grown over time
The Cassetta delle Idee was launched as a pilot project in 2020 at Acciaierie di Verona. The positive results – in terms of participation, the quality of the proposals and the tangible impact – led to the project being rolled out to other companies within the Group in 2022, establishing it as a structured and widespread initiative.
Over the course of six editions, the number of ideas submitted has grown steadily, exceeding 600, with over 80 of them receiving awards. These figures confirm the interest in the initiative and people’s willingness to contribute actively to the company’s development.
Wire Rod and Billets, two awards to recognise all kinds of ideas
To recognise the value of the ideas submitted, the project features two categories of awards: the Billetts Award, dedicated to promising ideas that require further development before they can be put into practice, and the Wire Rod Award, reserved for ideas that are already ready for implementation.
Employees who come up with the winning ideas receive both a physical and a financial reward from the company, in recognition of their commitment and creativity.
But looking beyond the accolades, the most important aspect of Cassetta delle Idee remains its tangible impact on business processes and activities. Ideas do not remain on paper: they are developed, implemented and turned into a practical tool for participation and innovation, capable of recognising the value of every individual’s contribution.
Many ideas have come to fruition in recent years, and one notable example of a cross-functional initiative is the refurbishment of the staff canteen at Acciaierie di Verona. Starting with a suggestion from a member of staff, the area has been further enhanced with modernised spaces, new furnishings and improved accessibility, making it an even more comfortable environment that is now used by colleagues on a daily basis.
Many of these ideas have been put into practice in the production departments, where technical improvements are enhancing workflow and communication between staff. One such example is the installation of an intercom system in the Ferriere Nord steelworks, which makes the exchange of operational information faster and more efficient.
Year after year, the Cassetta delle Idee proves itself to be a space for collaborative innovation, where employees’ ideas drive continuous improvement.
