It all started with the first lecture, held at Fulgor theatre of Rimini, a venue that brings to mind the Art Nouveau style and an iconic place for the city, linked to the great director Federico Fellini.

This first technical meeting had the purpose of explaining the reasons behind Ocrim’s recent courageous choices. The Antolini family, some members of the company team and representatives of the authorities were tasked with informing and “enlightening” the audience, who have always placed their trust in this “visionary ability to dream”.
“Courage” was the actual star of “Wheat, Flour And…” 2023 and of this day in particular. The concept was introduced by a video that illustrated the words, life, experience and sentiment of John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s courage, ending with some words by Alberto Antolini. In his words, courage is always the crux of the matter, but also the possibility of allowing things to happen, without losing sight of yourself, even when you’re on your own. All that was expressed by the text and a moving musical background. An abstract concept that moves the soul, the choices that guide your destiny and the road to be travelled. “Being courageous” means acting with resoluteness despite the risks, but supported by experience and comforted by the acquired assuredness.

After that, Alberto Antolini welcomed everyone, also outlining the many topics to be covered during the day. He talked about the project linked to the company dorm, a building that has been housing students from all over the world for years, but whose activities slowed down due to COVID-19. After renovation works in collaboration with the city, this facility will house immigrant families who are and will be part of a rehabilitation and work project, so that the support provided is constructive and not sterile, as unfortunately is often the case. A project that seeks to address the issues linked to the migration flows, which are affecting the whole world. But, as the chief magistrate of Cremona, Corrado Conforto Galli – who attended the conference as a guest, but also as a speaker – argued, Italy is in a sensitive geographical position compared to other countries and therefore the phenomenon of immigration “must be governed and not endured.” Certainly, one is more and more aware that the problem of migrants and its management is colossal and cannot be “governed” by a human-sized city, as is Cremona. However, we are equally aware that, nowadays, a glass of clean water in the ocean matters a lot.
After Alberto Antolini’s greetings and the address of Cremona’s chief magistrate, before initiating the technical day, Stefano Mazzini, Ocrim’s Commercial and Marketing Director, invited to join him on the stage Federico Vecchioni, Chief Executive Officer of BF S.p.A., a guest who has been part of the Ocrim family for years. Federico Vecchioni also underlined the importance of initiatives like the one Alberto Antolini and the chief magistrate Corrado Conforto Galli had just illustrated, and he underlined how important it is not to have “a predatory attitude, as was the case with many governments and countries, especially in Africa”. He also underlined how crucial the cooperation between two strong companies, such as Ocrim and BF, can be, as they can use their know-how and resources to support important and complex causes like those linked to migrant flows.

Stefano Mazzini got on the stage again to inform the audience of another important corporate goal, the realisation of a “£dream”. He referred to the acquisition of SIMA, a company that for over thirty-five years has specialised in the design and construction of storage plants – with which Ocrim shares values and sentiments such as honesty and reliability, the sense of collaboration and willingness and above all, attentiveness towards their Human Capital. Ocrim has always been a careful, thorough and expert supplier, and the construction of storage plants has certainly always been part of its toolbox. However, this agreement makes it concretely possible to add a new link to “The Italian Agri-Food Chain Choice”. After that, Stefano Mazzini presented the preview/backstage of the corporate video – the content of which is closely linked to this new achievement – and summarised the entire project in his presentation. Mazzini was followed by three more speakers, also part of the Ocrim team: Fabio Vuoto, technical director, spoke of innovative solutions for the supply chain; Emanuele Bigna explained the foundation blocks of the OcriMade concept in the production lines, showing the investments made and explaining their rationale; finally, Ivano Scandolara, site assembly manager, spoke about the duties, details and even compromises involved in mill construction, with a special focus on the milling plant building, which is a significant part of the investment.

At the end of the conference, all participants were taken to Poggio Torriana, at the headquarters of Parglierani, Ocrim’s sister company, another company owned by the Antolini family, which designs and produces machines for weighing, packaging, bagging, palletising, winding and transport of full sacks. After lunch, all the guests were able to visit the various company offices and departments, illustrated by team member Paglierani, supported by some Ocrim experts.

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A special dinner was arranged in the evening. All the guests were taken to Santargangelo di Romagna – a picturesque small town on the Romagna coast, and the birthplace of the Antolini family – and to Castello Marcosanti, to be precise. And, although the weather was uncooperative, the guests were able to enjoy the beauty of the place and the delicious food. As the MC of the September 23 conference – who attended the dinner party – aptly said, “Rain brings good luck”.
And so it was!

What happened on the last two days of “Wheat, Flour And…” will be the subject of the next OcrimNews scheduled for Tuesday, 10 October.