About Vainer Marchesini
In a June 2012 interview on La7's *In Onda*, Vainer Marchesini, founder and CEO of WAM, discussed the impact of a series of earthquakes on his company's operations in the Modena area. He described the disaster as "unimaginable" and noted that while the company's factories remained standing with only minor collapses, employees were unable to enter the facilities to secure them. Marchesini expressed frustration with the situation, stating that he was waiting for authorization to re-enter the buildings and criticized what he called a "suffocating bureaucracy" that he likened to the Hydra of Hercules, blocking progress.
Marchesini also reflected on the history of his company, which he said he founded with 64,000 Lire 44 years prior and grew into a global enterprise with 44 subsidiaries and 2,200 employees worldwide. He noted that the earthquake had disrupted production and corporate communications, including server failures that cut off designers from technicians. He questioned whom an entrepreneur should address in such a crisis, expressing uncertainty about where to direct his concerns.
Source: AI-verified profile updated from Vainer Marchesini's recent appearances.
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Transcript (5 segments)
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Vainer Marchesini0:20
We deserve this. I felt the duty to explain some things. Some time ago I promised that by Christmas 50% of people would return to work. Today we have teams of bricklayers and assemblers working, even on Sundays. The office building will be crowded, but we will double the people. The shed at Ponte Motta has been fully recovered. We recovered all recoverable sheds; the rest had to be demolished. We were about a kilometer from the epicenter, hit hardest. The wave was 70 meters, damaging long sheds. We have plans to bring everything inside by next year. By August we will bring carpentry, by year-end all tubulars. We have received many awards, but they belong to the community. Together we performed a miracle. The mayor used the example of a horse and rider: the horse pulls hard, the rider is limited. We are like a ship where some steer and others push forward.
Dear friends and colleagues, with dedications to the mayor and our priest. I made a promise that we would be at least 50% back. Today we are likely over 50% – a great success. I have received many awards, but they are for the company. People compliment us, but they don't know we can work miracles. We did it more than others. I only steer; others do the heavy lifting. We have shared everything. Some young people are proud to be with us. I wanted to remember our Marcello.
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Mayor8:24
Good evening. It is complex to speak as mayor. I represent the whole community, not my view. Since May 30, we have focused on work, school and culture, and housing. Work is fundamental. This earthquake showed the strength of Modenese entrepreneurship. We restart because of will and ability. Aid will come, but today we signal that the company returns. Mr. Vainer Marchesini and all of you believed first. I wish you a Merry Christmas. What was destroyed will return more beautiful.
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Employee Representative11:15
There is a small recognition. You have been very generous. When you received awards, you attributed them to us. We are proud. On behalf of all employees in Italy and abroad, I present a plaque to thank you and your family for everything you have done.
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Vainer Marchesini12:18
This earthquake was terrible, but I saw a sense of communion. The day after, people were at the gates, even at night, asking when they could start working. Our first priority was to give everyone a job as quickly as possible. Within days, 100 people were working; after six weeks, 100% had jobs. It cost a lot, but it was our greatest pride. The social function of a company is exactly this. I thank the finance team, sales, marketing, and everyone who made this miracle possible. We have come to the conclusion of this small gathering. Happy holidays, and as yesterday gave strength, go.
