From 3 to 5 February 2024, the spotlight is back on MIDO, global leader among eyewear tradeshows. For three days, stakeholders from all five continents will gather at Fieramilano Rho to discover the industry players that represent the entire eyewear supply chain in a highly international event.
WMIDO allows some exhibitors of MIDO 2024 to express their thoughts. Today’s interview is with Giovanni Spreafico, Marketing Director of MEI.
Sustainability is undoubtedly another theme of extreme activity, born out of the needs to elevate the scope of business realities to contemplate a better future for all. This issue is also very much felt by MIDO, which, in addition to being engaged in the forefront as an organization, has created ad hoc awards: the CSE Award - Certified Sustainable Eyewear, which evaluates the sustainability of eyewear products internationally, and Stand Up For Green - designed for stands that stand out for their attention to the environment. How does your company approach this issue? What activities do you carry out to support the future of the planet?
The commitment of MEI to a more sustainable future began many years ago, when the issue was not yet en vogue among businesses and consumers. With the quasi-revolutionary approach that marks the vision of our Chairman, Stefano Sonzogni, the company has come up with a different and more efficient solution for the cutting of ophthalmic lenses. As opposed to traditional grinding, which requires the use of blocks and adhesive pads and (above all) a significant quantity of water for the process, MEI has developed machines that use milling technology without the need for water or blocks and pads.
If we consider that there are more than 3000 machines installed worldwide, we can understand the positive impact of this innovative technology in terms of saving resources.
The same vision led Sonzogni to develop CoreTBA, the first producer of block-less ophthalmic lenses. This solution, which does not require the blocking of lenses before work, avoids the use of films, alloys or resins. Also, it represents a revolution in the actual process, which does not require machines to block/unblock the lenses or apply films.
The positive approach of MEI in terms of sustainability thus also has an influence on technological and manufacturing processes, predicting a positive impact extended by the use of these solutions by hundreds of companies around the world.
Young people are our future, we were also talking about this earlier in the area of sustainability. Being close to them and responding to their needs is not always easy. MIDO, in this sense, always tries to keep up with the times and experiment: it was the first fair in the sector to have a digital magazine, to use a dedicated app, the first to create a digital platform to respond immediately to the Covid crisis. In 2024, as we mentioned earlier, she was also the first in the industry to create a communication campaign using AI. How does your company try to reach younger people?
One of the company’s key goals in recent years has been to interest young people in the industry, attracting students to the company. One recent example of this is the MEI Academy, a project set up in 2023 which involves twelve students who recently left school in a two-week placement with job rotation around the various production areas of the premises in Ponte San Pietro (Bergamo). This paid training project ends by offering three of the young people involved an apprenticeship contract in the company.
A 'hot' topic in 2023 is the increasing use of AI. MIDO also used it, in support of human creativity, to create the industry's first communication campaign. What is your stance toward this issue? Have you used it for your production reality or do you plan to use it in the future?
Artificial intelligence is a key topic today, and also here in the company we are studying all the possible benefits of this innovative technology, both in terms of product development and technical support for customers. In the coming years, we will see the effect of this scenario in various contexts.
Your reality is going through a period of strong growth: what are the drivers that have led you to this expansion?
The business vision of revolutionary innovation has allowed MEI products to have even more of a competitive edge over other businesses, and this will continue to be a key driver. Another essential principle for us is proximity to our customers: this human-focused approach helps to keep relationships strong and fosters our growth and development worldwide.