2024-06-21

Marco Silanos – a man with a mission

Interview with Marco Silanos

In many ways, Milanese Marco Silanos embodies the typical Italian. Life revolves around family, food and wine, and he likes to lose himself in a good book. But that's not all. Marco is a man with a mission. Now he is transforming dishwasher manufacturer Silanos into a hybrid company where the mission is to unite the best of Italy and Sweden.

The family business Silanos was founded in 1964 by Marco's father and is today the leader in water-based compact dishwashers in Europe. With just over 100 employees, all manufacturing takes place in Milan, where production is largely robotized. - My father is 92 years old today and a great inspiration to me. Even though I grew up in the company, it wasn't easy to take over. The world was so different back then and the last few years with Covid and other things have been a challenge for us. But we are still "alive and kicking", says Marco.

Marco began his career on the Silano production floor. After graduating in economics, language studies in London and Paris and mandatory military training, it was obvious for him to continue in the family business. Marco is particularly passionate about the creative phase, especially the craft of transforming ideas into prototypes and new products.

- Nearly 90 percent of our products are exported and we have an incredibly loyal customer base, many of whom have become our friends over the years.

The partnership with Sandberg Development is based on successful collaboration and personal relationships, says Marco. Silanos and Nordisk Clean Solutions began an innovative technology and development collaboration in 2019, which was consolidated into a strategic alliance in 2023 with Nordisk Clean Solutions' owner Sandberg Development.
- Deepening our collaboration feels completely natural at the same time as it gave us completely new opportunities. I completely trust our Swedish colleagues and together we are on the way to creating a fantastic hybrid company, says Marco.

In the transformation currently underway, Silano's high-tech robot production, manufacturing capabilities and customer knowledge will be married with Swedish technology and design capabilities into a modern organization.The focus is on growth and digitalization.

- It is certainly challenging to be in a phase of change and to learn to work in new ways, but it is absolutely the right direction for the company. Even though we speak different languages, we understand each other and share the same vision. It is with great hopes for the future that we are now creating a whole new family, says Marco.