“In recent years, ASA has changed significantly, demonstrating great flexibility and an objective ability to evolve in terms of organization, documentation, communication, and synchronization between departments. Aspects that are not always taken into consideration, but that I believe are fundamental for creating a good product capable of satisfying the customer. All this was made possible by the contribution of brave people who shared visions and prospects. For the good of all, individualism must be overcome: only this, sometimes, generates real change.”
Tracing the evolution of the company over the years is engineer Andrea Dugato, Head of the Engineering Department, who recently reached the milestone of professional adulthood in ASA. Eighteen years of challenges and new projects, difficulties and goals achieved, investments in technology, research, innovation, but above all in training, because for ASA, resources remain the true corporate capital, an invaluable wealth of skills and sensitivity.
“Undoubtedly, training, both internal and external, is a cornerstone in ASA, but the real strength of the company is the ability to provide and make available multiple meeting spaces, where people can share ideas and information, as well as stay in touch developing relationships, exchanging opinions, and, perhaps, discovering shared hobbies.”
Like running for example, an activity that for you is much more than a sport, so much so that you made it an evaluation point even before accepting ASA’s opportunity.
In my approach to life, dedicating the lunch break to running is not just a habit to keep in shape, but an infusion of well-being for body and spirit: I do not hide the fact that I also evaluated this aspect before accepting the offer that was made to me, 18 years ago. The company has shown great sensitivity in this direction, so much so that in the new headquarters there are changing rooms and showers.
The world of lasers was your destiny...
Before joining ASA, I worked in a laser marker manufacturing company that was going through a difficult time. The prospects for the future were rather shaky, so I decided to put myself out there and posted an announcement. Beyond my wildest expectations, I was quickly contacted for an interview. Coming from a company that built lasers, I could not believe that I could have a professional chance in a similar company but in the medical field. But fate would have it so.
But fatalism does not influence your activity, where nothing can be left to chance. This is confirmed by the first FDA inspection for the company in 2016.
It is undoubtedly one of the key moments of my professional career in ASA. To face that test, the whole company lived in a sort of ‘bubble’, which however allowed us to become an even more cohesive team. We spent an August preparing for any eventuality, despite having no idea what awaited us: in the end everything went well and the feeling that remained was one of great satisfaction and unity.
Being a team is one of the goals that the company has always pursued. When you started working at ASA, what was your goal?
My goal has always been to acquire competence in every branch of knowledge I come into contact with, primarily in professional terms. I believe that only in this way is it possible not only to have added value for oneself, but also for the people one collaborates with. To interact effectively you must speak the same language: only in this way can you have a full understanding and reduced times.
In these 18 years I have had the opportunity to fill several different roles and from each I have drawn elements that have proved to be useful to cover my current position.
How has the profession of Engineer changed in the last twenty years?
It has undoubtedly changed, thanks to two key factors: the circulation speed of information and its availability. Being always up-to-date is a must, while being able to convey and structure information so that it can be used in the most effective way possible is the real challenge.
