Imbalplast is the story of a family business that has been passed down from generation to generation, with the same passion, the same authentic values, and a vision open to change to ensure a stable future. The continuity of a family business isn’t built on paper; it’s a day-by-day commitment, right on the shop floor where the product takes shape. A little over a year ago, the fourth generation of our family—the Alzani family—officially joined the company with Leonardo.
During this initial phase, Leonardo chose to start with the basics: no rushing ahead, but rather an immersive journey focused on learning the fundamentals of producing hygiene and healthcare packaging. This learning process is built on listening, precision, and deep respect for the work of those who, every day, ensure the quality that sets us apart.
In this interview, Leonardo talks about the excitement of his debut, the technical challenges of this first year, and the pride he feels in taking on such an important role.
“Leonardo, you graduated with a degree in Economics and Law. What was it like making the transition from college to your day-to-day work at the company? What was your first impression?”
It was definitely a big leap; I didn’t expect to have such rapid decision-making authority. I was really struck by the speed with which everyday situations are handled—there are so many things to think about: deadlines, teamwork, unexpected events, production planning—and everything has to be decided with determination, clarity, and speed. At the same time, I really appreciated the opportunity to learn directly on the job and to see the tangible impact of my work. You know, in college you acquire a solid theoretical foundation and learn to think in a structured way; in a company, however, you have to quickly turn that knowledge into concrete decisions and results. Very inspiring!
“This first phase of your journey is dedicated to gaining a deep understanding of how the product is made. Why do you think it’s essential to start right at the factory and with the basics of production?”
I believe that getting to know a product from its very beginnings is essential to truly understanding its value and how it works. Starting at the factory allows you to understand the processes, the attention to detail, and the work that goes into every stage of production. It’s an experience that gives you a more complete picture of the company and helps you approach any future role with greater awareness. Without this extensive knowledge, how can you best advise a client? Every product has characteristics that call for a—let’s say—ideal bag that ensures proper protection, aesthetic appeal, compliance with regulations, and sustainability.
“The hygiene and healthcare packaging sector requires extremely high precision. What technical aspect of production has been the biggest challenge for you so far?”
Definitely the great attention to detail and the required quality standards. I was struck by how every stage of the process must be closely monitored to ensure a compliant and reliable final product. It’s an aspect that requires focus, a systematic approach, and a constant desire to learn and understand more and more.
“Is there a machine, a process, or a stage in the bag-making process that you find particularly fascinating and are studying more closely?”
There are three stages I’m following with particular interest: extrusion, printing, and welding. Extrusion because it’s the starting point of the entire process, and that’s where the film’s characteristics are determined. Printing because of the high level of precision and attention to detail, especially to ensure the product’s quality and brand recognition. Finally, sealing is a very interesting stage because that’s where the packaging takes its final form, and every parameter must be controlled with great accuracy. Seeing how these three stages integrate with one another is helping me better understand the value and complexity of the production process. But office work is also important, both for order management and for coordination between the production and organizational sides: it all starts with analyzing customer requests and planning the production processes, then moves on to monitoring activities through to the delivery of the finished product. That’s quite a bit of work!
“Given your passion for soccer, can you tell us how it all started, how it’s keeping you busy today, and how you balance it with your job?”
My passion for soccer began when I was a child, and it has been a part of my life every day since then. Today I play in the Eccellenza league, a commitment that requires consistency and organization: we train three times a week, and Sundays are set aside for the game. Balancing this with work isn’t always easy, but sports have taught me values that I also bring to the workplace, such as discipline, sacrifice, and teamwork. Ultimately, I believe the two experiences complement each other: soccer helps me clear my mind and maintain the right balance, while work provides me with challenges and responsibilities that help me grow every day.
“Let me use a soccer metaphor. What’s the most exciting ‘game’ you’re playing right now at work?”
Definitely to grow as quickly as possible so that I can make a tangible contribution to the family business. Seeing my grandmother still working in the office at 84 and observing every day just how deeply my parents understand the company is a great source of motivation for me. It inspires me to learn, listen, and acquire skills as quickly as possible, with the goal of supporting them more and more and, one day, helping them directly with day-to-day management. They’ve blazed a trail by making choices that I fully support and will continue to uphold—such as sustainability, social responsibility, and a commitment to our local community.
The future is built one step at a time
The interview with Leonardo reminds us that every great corporate story is renewed only through the patience to listen and a dedication to learning. Seeing the fourth generation grow within our departments, working closely with the machinery and the people who make Imbalplast great, is a source of deep pride for all of us.
Leonardo’s journey has just begun, but the foundation he is laying today is the best guarantee of the quality and stability of our future.
We’d like to thank Leonardo for his time and wish him continued success in our departments!
