Our Open Day: working together to share our success

In the famous wine-growing Veneto region of Italy, our DS Smith Box Plant in Rosà is an important contributor to the local economy. An Open Day at the Rosà Plant provided an opportunity for our employees to open their doors to customers and the local community.

The 100 members of staff at the Rosà Box Plant wanted to build a stronger relationship with their customers to invite them in and share their products, innovations and history. They were also keen to involve the wider community, including their family and friends. Hosting the Open Day at the Rosà Plant also proved to be an excellent opportunity to celebrate their contribution to the local economy. 

Our Open Day: working together to share our success

The commitment and enthusiasm of everyone working together on organising the Open Day showed our employees' strength, openness and their team spirit.

The day was packed full of events for the 500 adults and children who attended. Customers got to know the employees who produce their boxes, they also saw the production machines and processes; a photographic exhibition revealed the history of DS Smith within the community; employees showed their families where they spend their day; children played with a flock of corrugated board sheep; and the music and dancing made for a party atmosphere during lunch.

The local MP, bishop, mayor, newspaper and TV station were all there. The mayor spoke warmly about how proud he was that there was a company in his city that was not only very successful and very important for the region, but also focused on its employees and their wellbeing.

Strengthening relationships across all Italy

Open Days such as this are about nourishing existing relationships and building stronger ones with our customers and local communities. They provide an ideal opportunity for customers to put a face to the person behind their products and establish a connection.

Next year we plan to run Open Days at three other plants; and four or five more events in other plants across Italy the following year, strengthen the relationships across Italy.

Alessandro Cebin, general manager of the Rosà and Ferrara cluster commented: "Organising the Open Day and sharing our daily working life with our customers, our families and our community was a great experience. We are proud to be part of the DS Smith Group."