Italian spider lift manufacturer Palazzani, has appointed Paola Palazzani as president, replacing her father Davide who becomes vice president. At the same time, chief operating officer Francesco Zola has joined the board of directors as chief executive.
Paola Palazzani has been with the company for more than 27 years and has been directly responsible, along with export director Laura Gasparini, for Palazzani’s growing sales success in recent years.
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In her new role she will also lead the company’s long term strategy, while continuing to contribute the ongoing development of the business. Davide Palazzani will continue to look after the finances, supported by chief financial officer Cristian Marchina.
Paola Palazzani and Francesco Zola
Francesco Zola, an engineer with an automotive background, will work alongside Paola with responsibility for operational issues and the management of all related business activities. He joined the company in his current role just over four years ago, following more than 16 years with high end car wheel manufacturer Cromodora Wheels, initially in engineering roles, followed by periods as quality manager, plant manager and then group process engineering manager.
Last Thursday Davide Palazzani was awarded an IPAF Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual IPAF Summit and IAPA awards dinner.
Speaking of the changes Paola Palazzani said: "I believe that our tandem leadership will aim to consolidate and strengthen the company’s position in the global market, while maintaining the values of innovation and quality that have distinguished it since its formation."
Francesco Zola added: "I am looking to the future with confidence, we are ready to face new challenges and seize new opportunities to reach our goals."
A little potted history
Palazzani dates back to 1935 when the company Fratelli Palazzani was established to produce agricultural equipment. In 1954 the company began producing earth moving equipment, in particular wheel loaders and later excavators. The business morphed into the current corporate structure ‘Palazzani Industrie’ in 1980, and introduced its first spider lift in 1986.
The final earthmoving production fizzled out a couple of years ago, leaving the company to focus on the growing spider lift business and now spider cranes. Davide Palazzani has been with the company throughout much of its long history, and played a key role in the development of the earthmoving division, as well as the formation of the current business.
While stepping back a little, he is hardly retiring and will remain actively involved and available to assist the new senior team.
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