One year on: Building on a strong foundation
Taking over an established organization always comes with expectations. For Stefano Capoccia, his first year leading Soudronic Ltd. in New York coincided with tariffs, rising material costs, and supply-chain uncertainty. It quickly put customer proximity, transparency, and partnership to the test.
A first year that did not follow the script
When Stefano took over as General Manager in August 2025, he focused on building on the strong foundation already in place: staying close to customers, strengthening collaboration with colleagues in Switzerland, and identifying opportunities for the North American business.
The market soon added its own priorities. Tariffs on metals and duties affecting imports from Europe, particularly Switzerland, increased cost pressure. Rising prices and limited availability of critical raw materials such as carbide added to the challenge.
Working closely with customers and colleagues in Switzerland, the local team anticipated supply risks, protected delivery continuity, and helped avoid disproportionate price increases wherever possible. The pressure also brought sales, service, spare parts, and administration closer together, helping the team recognize its strengths and identify areas for improvement.
«During a challenging year, our priority was clear: remain close to our customers, communicate transparently, and find viable solutions together,» Stefano says. «By acting as one team, we protected supply continuity and strengthened relationships that have been built over many years.»
Positive customer feedback confirmed that this approach was valued and further strengthened long-standing relationships.
What customers value when conditions get difficult
Close customer contact also deepened Stefano’s understanding of the North American market. Despite economic uncertainty and workforce constraints, manufacturers continue to seek productivity gains through automation, digitalization, and modernization.
But his first year reinforced something less technical. «What stood out was how highly North American customers value responsiveness,» he says. «Strong technology is essential, but customers also expect open communication, local support, and a partner who understands the operational realities of their plants.»
With a substantial installed base across North America, this creates opportunities beyond new equipment. Modernization, service, training, and digital solutions can help customers improve the performance and productive life of their existing machinery, supported by Soudronic’s local presence.
Building on a year of experience
After twelve months, the focus is clear: strengthen local service and spare-parts capabilities, develop the team, maintain delivery reliability, and help customers improve productivity and protect their investments. For Stefano, the experience of his first year has confirmed the value of staying close to customers, acting with clarity, and being dependable when conditions become difficult.