An interview with Roberta Mallardo, head of the Product Technical Office, in charge of coordinating the management of certifications, and Martino Di Giusto, who oversees compliance by working with the quality and certification agencies.
First of all, what are your main activities: what does your daily work schedule look like?
R.M.: Pittini products are at the forefront of my work: I am responsible for managing the certification of reinforced concrete products for all the production sites of the Group, as well as overseeing non-standard projects. I also provide technical assistance and customer care, and conduct industry research.
M.D.G.: My tasks are very diversified and do not follow a set routine. Firstly, I have to keep up to date with developments in product standards to ensure that certified products fulfil all the necessary criteria. A significant part of my role involves organising and conducting the inspections that the company is required to perform by the certification bodies.
How do you ensure that product certifications meet international regulations and the requirements of your clients?
R.M.: An in-depth knowledge of country-specific product standards and an understanding of customer expectations are essential. Sometimes, these requirements exceed the regulations themselves. For instance, requests may include reducing the ovality of the cross-section or the precision layer packaging of the coils to maximise streamlined processing.
M.D.G.: We maintain regular contact with the relevant certification bodies, who keep us updated on requirements and regulatory changes. We also work closely with the quality managers of group companies to ensure that our corporate objectives for product simplification harmonise with the regulatory standards of the countries with which we trade. Some of these standards effectively impose trade barriers.
What aspects of your work inspire you the most?
R.M.: I am most interested in and passionate about the evolution of steel products and their applications in construction, as well as the managerial activities involved in successfully developing projects that involve various people, processes and degrees of complexity.
M.D.G.: I particularly appreciate the continuous interaction with my colleagues within the Group in my role. We work together to achieve the objectives linked to successful audits effectively. I also work with inspectors from certification bodies, which gives me the chance to discuss regulatory developments and gather information on the markets I am responsible for.
