Half a century of VAI evolution: a story of Venetian excellence
In 1975, a group of five partners founded Veneta Automazioni Industriali in Castelfranco Veneto, driven by a desire to find a solution for packaging bulk products, a new trend that was emerging. The following year, market demand grew beyond expectations and forced the fledgling company to hire new technical staff, laying the groundwork for an initial stable production core. Between 1979 and 1986 the ownership structure was redefined: the other partners sold their shares and the leadership passed to Eugenio Toso, who gave the project an even stronger orientation toward in-house design of every mechanical and electronic component.
Strategic investments and first steps towarddigital automation
By the early 1990s, VAI was already making fifty machines every twelve months, confirming the soundness of an approach that combines craftsmanship construction and applied research to vertical packaging machines. In 1995 the company anticipates the Information Technology trend and introduces the first shop floor computerization, integrating CAD-CAM software and production management systems. Three years later it inaugurated its new factory, designed to handle higher volumes and leaner assembly flows-an indispensable step in responding to a customer base that is now national and international.
Product innovation: from vacuum to solutions for difficult powders
With the new century came a technological breakthrough that marked the industry: in 2000 VAI put on the market the first automatic packaging machines capable of creating vacuum bags directly from flat reel. Four years later the company internalized the production of auger feeders and electronic scales, improving accuracy with hygroscopic and dusty products. In 2008, while many companies slowed down due to the global crisis, VAI chose to invest in research and development and launched high-tech prototypes that paved the way for subsequent lines.
The party: employees at the center
On Saturday, May 10, Eugenio and Antonio Toso celebrated the company together with those who have accompanied them on this adventure: all VAI employees and their families.
It was a time of conviviality, celebration and also of sincere emotion. The employees also had a pleasant surprise in store for the owners....
Browse through the entire gallery of the evening!
