How did you get involved in the industry?
I started with SGM at the beginning of 1991 and at that time the lighting market was totally new to me. I had worked in other markets like tourism, agricultural machinery and, immediately before SGM, I worked for the biggest Italian manufacturer of roof tiles (PICA) - a very nice market too! I knew the owner of SGM, Mr. Giorgi, as we lived in the same city. SGM was at that time very small and just starting to look at the worldwide market. Companies such as Clay Paky and Coemar were much bigger and it was Mr Giorgi's goal to reach their size. He asked me to join SGM to achieve this goal so I decided to leave the security of PICA and to accept the challenge.

SGM have a big range of products - from dimmers to moving heads - is this important for your business?
Of course it helps a lot to have such a wide range of products, as it enables our dealers to use our products for a wide range of applications and not be tempted by other brands. We have a wide client base this way. In the early days our range was targeted at discotheques as well as the touring market. Now almost all the range (apart a few accessories) is targeted at the professional market.

You recently launched the Palco LED projector. Do you see LEDs as the future of lighting?
We are sure, as is commonly believed, that LEDs are the future in lighting. Power consumption is more and more important and LEDs have the great advantage of being low compared to halogen or discharge lamps. Some users are even getting EU or local government grants to convert conventional lamps to LEDs. The fact that they have very low maintenance is also important for the user. We have come out with the PALCO, which will be the first projector of a wide range. Our target is to produce the most powerful projectors in its field (as far as I know we are the only company to use 5W LEDs) combined with a very painstaking design process. It's the Italian way.

Which products have you been most proud to be involved with?
The product of which we are most proud is the Giotto 400. It's the product that every user or competitor has recognised as a leader in its field and which competitors try to use as a reference for their production.

Are there any rival products you would have liked to sell?
We do have a very wide range but our dealers have often demanded a range of cheaper moving heads. This is what I envy some of our competitors for. If we could have these products in our range we could also increase the sale of the more expensive products.

How has the industry changed from when you first became involved?
Since I started the market has changed so much which is natural as this is a very young market. Up until fifteen years ago many companies were only producing products for discotheques and anything emitting light was good for the market. Now the market is much more mature. It has split in two: clients looking for a very good price who aren't so worried about quality or clients looking for very good performing units and service, but still wanting a competitive price. There isn't a middle way any more.

What motivates you?
A great passion for a fascinating job. On the one hand being 'in the field' worldwide (every day is a challenge), whilst on the other contributing to SGM's innovative approach to product features. I like to think I am one of the driving forces in the company.

Who do you admire a) in the industry b) outside the industry?
I have no specific role models in the industry or in life - everyone has their own personality and character. As someone much more famous than me said: "I did it my way". However I always watch and listen to all those who are around me (starting from my colleagues) as I think that everyone has something to teach.

Where do you see the market and SGM in ten years time?
In ten years time I see the market consolidating. The gap between the professional and the low-end market will increase. I guess a few companies will disappear. I see SGM among the very few leaders in manufacturing technologically advanced equipment and concentrating not only in show business but also in the architectural market.

What do you do in your spare time?
Luckily I still have many interests but I cannot cultivate as many as I would like as I don't get as much spare time as I would like. I played soccer for many years and now, once a week, I play with other colleagues at SGM in a mini soccer tournament. I also dive so when I have the chance of a long weekend I go scuba diving. I also love the open air and this fit perfectly with my hobby of collecting fossilised prehistoric tools.

How would you like to be remembered?
From a business point of view, simply as someone who did his job in the most professional way and who contributed to make SGM a leading company. As a person, I'd like to be remembered as very honest and unselfish.