Proud of the 0966 area code and our smart ATMs

When I was a child, the mountain seemed dark and dangerous, at most the destination of an Easter Monday or mid-August outing. It was the place of kidnappings and nameless roads. Today I discover the Aspromonte by mountain bike, and my children also know every corner and every path.” With these words, mechanical engineer and CEO of MCM Group Domenico Morano describes a change.

Returning to Cittanova

My father had a blacksmith’s workshop, he assembled machines for mechanical olive harvesting with two or three workers. He was persecuted by the racketeers and rebelled against them. Our family has always been at the forefront in associations and social engagement. My sister, Maria Teresa, an architect, is on the board of the “Trame” Foundation. For this reason too, at a certain point in my life, I returned to Cittanova to pursue a new entrepreneurial project, honest and respectful of the territory, right when the agricultural machinery sector was entering a crisis. Before that, I worked for large companies and traveled a lot. I have three children: the first was born in Genoa, the second in Como, the third in Calabria.

What does MCM do?

We work in the field of banking security, I’m talking about hardware in the area of self-service solutions, like ATMs. It’s a complete journey—we try to match the client’s ideas with ours, and first of all, we must earn their trust. Poste Italiane, Unicredit—major institutions use our products. And right now, work is very intense.

Why?

There are 4-5 ATM thefts or attacks per day.

Which machines make MCM competitive?

First of all, anti-explosive systems, those that open and close the banknote channel, the double-shutter which in technical jargon is called the guillotine. And then the pedestals for mounting, the night safe deposit box, various accessories for payment systems. We try to grow in the field of innovation; now we have an ambitious project with Poste, the Security Mask Mobile.

You studied and worked also in Genoa. Is it important for MCM to have an efficient port like Gioia Tauro nearby?

Right now, goods and materials travel to and from MCM by road. In the past, we used the port when we outsourced part of the work to China, during a phase of high production. A container would arrive each month, and having a nearby port was undoubtedly an advantage.

Why do you have a branch in Garlasco, in Lombardy? I have a suspicion

Because here in Calabria we are far from the world, there are no proper infrastructures and even the roads are so-so. Because sometimes you need to meet clients around the economic center, which is undoubtedly Milan.

I asked because there are companies that avoid mentioning their head office in Calabria due to fear of prejudices

No (he laughs), our anti-racketeering history speaks for us. And we are anchored to our territory, our area code is 0966, and we want to identify with the Piana region. Of course, I’m not denying that prejudices exist—there are some clients who ask us: why don’t you move?

Indeed, you have not only lived through exciting moments. I imagine suffering and fear

My family has seen darkness and light, violence and extortionists in prison. There are many experiences in the Reggio area that keep a low profile; the result is that perhaps some company needs our services but does not know us. And speaking of services, there’s an issue that literally makes me scream.

Which one?

Poor internet connection. Those who talk about Industry 4.0 are in the clouds. It’s a problem that doesn’t interest anyone; local administrations have never dealt with it, never banged their fists on the table. Think of the untapped potential, the deals that risk falling through. Sometimes the PlayStation at home works better...

Would you like to see your children away or here?

Two out of three have left and returned, the third never moved. An intense journey, and different from mine, since I fled. They all work at the company: Davide in marketing, Jacopo on a major contract, Giulio on the lathe. This too is a gesture of love and gratitude for our Piana region. As a company policy, we measure and evaluate our environmental impact. And whether it’s a small contribution to sports groups or the Prize dedicated to Lea Garofalo, we are always there, generation after generation. Isn’t that also called DNA?

By Giuseppe Smorto