PRESS RELEASE 15.04.2013

SCM GROUP AT THE 2013 MILAN TRADE FAIRS TECHNOLOGY AT THE SERVICE OF THE FUTURE, FOR TODAY'S YOUNGSTERS

Huge success amongst the public, famous figures and specialised workers for Scm Group at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano. The biggest and most famous furniture and furnishings exhibition came to an end yesterday, after six days (9-14 April) of business, meetings, events and appointments that brought over 300,000 visitors to the site.

A great opportunity for woodworking technologies which, for the first time, were welcomed into the temple of design - recognition of their contribution with regards to both work and creativity. The intelligent setting for all this was the “I Wood Like - Handmade & digital crafting” project, developed by FederlegnoArredo (the branch of the Italian Manufacturers' Association that brings together firms working with wood and its derivatives), the Culturalegno association that spreads the culture of wood and its traditional, artisan and artistic transformation, and Scm Group. Three different organisations but with one single goal: to show young people that they can be their own boss, building real opportunities for their future even in the world of wood. As skilful inlayers and cabinet-makers, but also as “evolved artisans” who, with the aid of powerful and versatile but very user-friendly technologies, can transform both the wood and their own destiny.

An event that met with great success in the cultural, political and institutional world too: many famous figures visited the “I Wood Like” area, including the president of the Lombardy region Roberto Maroni, the mayor of Milan Giuliano Pisapia, the vice- president of the European Commission Antonio Tajani, the president of the Italian Manufacturers' Association Giorgio Squinzi, the president of the Maxxi museum of Rome Giovanna Melandri, the chairman of the Education, Training and Work Committee of the Lombardy Region Valentina Aprea, senator Roberto Formigoni, Mariastella Gelmini (ex minister of Education), not to mention well-known “archistars” and internationally renowned designers. As well as Roberto Snaidero and Giovanni De Ponti (president and chief executive of FederlegnoArredo), there was also Scm Group president Giovanni Gemmani and co-owner Adriano Aureli to welcome the visitors.

A prestigious occasion for the Rimini group which, during the fair, demonstrated how a machining centre (an affordable investment for an artisan firm) can create a complex, stunning table like the “Vaulted table” designed by the London studio Bloomlab. An initiative that is not only ethics and culture, but also aims to underline what the group strongly believes in - that Italy's true wealth lies in knowledge, training, and investment in the potential of the manufacturing sector. “Thanks to our culture, our creativity, and our precious and unbeatable artisan traditions – said Alfredo Aureli, group managing director, summing up the initiative – today's youngsters can depend on excellent professional prospects in Italy. A path that will be even more fruitful if we can bring them closer to numeric control machines and the most innovative technologies, showing them how quick and easy they are to use, and how they can ensure production with competitive costs”.

It's been shown that technology reduces labour's impact on the cost of a good by 6% - an irrelevant variable that brings the concept of competitiveness back into perspective and makes the advantages of delocalisation far less significant; a further chance to be “your own boss”.

------PRESS RELEASE by: SCM GROUP - Communications Contact: Raphaël Prati - [email protected] - +39 0541 700314