In a landmark interview with Miller Magazine, Ocrim CEO Alberto Antolini shares how the 80-year-old Italian powerhouse is not just honoring its past, but actively redefining the future of global milling. 

Alberto Antolini
CEO of Ocrim

As it celebrates its 80th anniversary, Ocrim stands as one of the most respected and enduring names in the global milling industry. In an exclusive interview with Miller Magazine, CEO Alberto Antolini shares how the company continues to evolve—building on a solid legacy of engineering excellence, industrial culture, and human values. With a clear commitment to innovation, education, and long-term partnerships, Ocrim enters its next chapter with the same spirit that has defined its journey since 1945: a deep respect for tradition, and a forward-looking vision shaped by responsibility and precision.

In the following interview, Mr. Antolini reflects on the milestones that have shaped Ocrim’s legacy, the company’s vision for the future, and the values that continue to guide its role as a trusted global partner in the milling industry.

A LEGACY BUILT ON INNOVATION, CULTURE AND VISION

Mr. Antolini, Ocrim is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, a remarkable milestone for the company. Looking back over 80 years, what key milestones or transformative moments have shaped Ocrim into the global leader it is today in milling technology?

I would like to say that it is truly exciting to celebrate 80 years of Ocrim. This milestone represents not only a long history, but above all the continuous evolution of an identity that has been able to combine tradition and innovation. Looking back, the goals achieved are truly countless, each marked by a strong pioneering spirit. Since its birth, Ocrim has stood out for its ability to introduce cutting-edge technological solutions that have profoundly marked the development of the milling sector on a global level. We were among the first, for example, to interpret the word “globalization” and understand the importance of some aspects linked to a “healthy industrialization” of the milling sector that are fundamental today, when these issues were still far from public debate. We have constantly invested in research and development, in new technologies, but also - and perhaps above all - in people, skills and industrial culture.

What do you believe has been the company’s most enduring contribution to the milling industry?

I believe that the most lasting contribution that Ocrim has given to the milling sector lies first of all in the professionalism of the generations and in the values ​​that have always guided our activity: competence, seriousness, professionalism and honesty. They are simple but profound principles, which over time have translated into a way of doing business that is recognizable and appreciated throughout the world.

Your anniversary motto,“The Future is Now”, reflects a forward-thinking mindset. How do you maintain this spirit of innovation while still honoring Ocrim’s strong roots and heritage?

The motto chosen for our 80th anniversary, “The Future is Now”, perfectly encapsulates our way of understanding the present: as a bridge between the solidity of our roots and the need – and responsibility – to constantly innovate. The art of milling, as we rightly define it, is truly an art: an ancient, stratified knowledge that has its roots in the culture of wheat and the identity of the territories. Preserving this art is a mission for us, but it does not mean keeping it unchanged; on the contrary, it means making it more accessible, more efficient, more sustainable – without distorting its essence. Our innovation is born precisely from this profound respect for tradition. Every new technology we develop, every digital system we integrate into the plants, every training we offer is designed to accompany milling knowledge towards the future, not to change it or replace it.

Ocrim is known for its innovation in milling technology. Could you highlight some of the most exciting or disruptive innovations Ocrim has introduced in recent years?

I prefer to talk about real and tangible evolution. At Ocrim we do not believe in the idea of ​​a “disruptive” innovation in the spectacular sense of the term, because what often appears revolutionary in the immediate term hides fragility or solutions that are not yet mature. 80 years of experience have taught us that in our sector, made of balance, precision and continuity, the most solid innovation is that which is built step by step. In recent years we have introduced numerous advanced technological solutions, but always with a spirit of concreteness. I am thinking, for example, of the intelligent automation of milling processes, which allows our customers increasingly precise and flexible control of the plants. Or again our maintenance systems, which increase efficiency and reduce machine downtime, significantly improving the profitability of the plants in the long term. We have also invested heavily in the digitalization of the supply chain, promoting complete traceability of the product and processes, an aspect that is now crucial to guaranteeing quality, safety and transparency. What makes these innovations important is not so much their immediate impact, but their ability to integrate harmoniously into the production context and generate lasting value for our customers. This is, for us, the true meaning of innovation: a real growth path, not a leap in the dark.

STRATEGIC EXPANSION

What strategic investments is Ocrim currently making to shape the future of milling? What exciting projects or initiatives can we expect from Ocrim in the near future as it enters its next chapter?

It is not easy to summarize in a few words the strategic investments that Ocrim is carrying out, because every choice comes from a concrete vision and a constant commitment to excellence. We have undertaken several initiatives aimed at strengthening our position in the milling sector and offering increasingly complete solutions to our customers. A significant example is the acquisition of Sima S.r.l. in January 2024. Sima, with over 40 years of experience, specializes in the design and construction of storage systems for cereals, legumes and finished products. This operation allows us not only to expand our know-how and the services offered, but also to internalize a significant part of the processes, with clear advantages in terms of quality control, production flexibility and delivery times. The integration of Sima further strengthens our ability to provide end-to-end solutions, from engineering to storage, from production to logistics, always maintaining high standards of reliability and innovation. But above all, it represents an investment in the values ​​that we share: transparency, respect for people and long-term vision. Looking ahead, we will continue to focus on innovation, training and sustainability, with the aim of accompanying the evolution of the milling sector and contributing to an increasingly solid and responsible industrial future. And of course we are moving forward with other things at a fast pace but with our feet firmly planted on the ground.

Can you elaborate on how Ocrim is leveraging digital tools and automation to enhance efficiency, traceability, and product quality for its customers?

For several years, Ocrim has been paying particular attention to Artificial Intelligence and the potential that this technology can offer in the milling sector. However, first of all, we believe it is essential that the market and our interlocutors fully understand what “Artificial Intelligence” really means.

The starting point? The “statistics” that we have been consistently applying for decades.

The term AI is often used in a too generic and superficial way, without due awareness of its concrete applications and the real benefits it can bring. At Ocrim, we prefer a rigorous and pragmatic approach: it is not enough to talk about AI as a buzzword, it must be effectively integrated into processes to improve efficiency, traceability and product quality. Precisely for this reason, we addressed these issues in depth during one of the two conferences of our annual event “Wheat, flour and...” last year, an event that brings together experts and operators of the sector to discuss the most relevant challenges and innovations. Without anticipating too much, I can add that in the next event in September 2025 we will continue to explore these issues with new solutions and updates tending towards excellence, but always with the aim of offering our customers concrete and reliable tools to optimize each phase of the milling process.

TAILOR-MADE SOLUTIONS FOR A DIVERSE WORLD

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the milling industry today, and how is Ocrim addressing them?

The milling industry today finds itself operating in an extremely complex context, in which geopolitical, economic and environmental variables are constantly evolving. Ongoing wars, the complexity of raw material markets, tensions in global logistics flows and the challenges linked to climate change are factors that have profoundly affected the entire agri-food supply chain. In such an uncertain scenario, challenges are never static: they change from day to day, and the true distinctive ability of a company lies in knowing how to promptly interpret weak signals, anticipate transformations and react with lucidity. Ocrim faces these difficulties with great attention and a sense of responsibility, maintaining a long-term strategic vision but acting flexibly in the short term. One of our responses to this complexity is the strengthening of synergies with our sister companies, with which we are carrying out projects that go beyond the milling sector, also embracing the entire agri-food sector.

Milling needs can vary significantly across regions. How does Ocrim adapt its technologies and services to address the specific needs of diverse markets?

One of Ocrim’s main strengths, recognized worldwide, is the ability to adapt our solutions to the specific needs of each customer, wherever they are in the world. In 80 years of activity, we have never built “similar” or identical plants – and this is not just a technical fact, but the concrete demonstration of our philosophy: each project must be unique, because the context in which it is inserted is unique. The urgencies of the milling sector vary greatly depending on the region: climatic factors, characteristics of local raw materials, health regulations, consumer needs, food culture, and infrastructure. This is why our approach is always tailored.

EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF MILLERS

Ocrim is not only a technology provider but also an educator through its School of Milling Technology. In what ways does the Ocrim School of Milling Technology contribute to shaping the next generation of millers? 

The Ocrim School of Milling Technology is much more than an educational institution: it is a concrete commitment to the future of the sector. At Ocrim we feel the responsibility to train the millers and technicians of tomorrow, offering them training that is up to the technological and production challenges of the coming years. The courses we offer, structured with seriousness and rigor, combine theory and practice in a highly professional environment. What sets them apart is the quality of the teaching and the direct experience we make available, thanks to the contribution of technologists, head millers and engineers who work in the field every day. It has been like this for 60 years, we contribute to training competent, aware figures capable of truly enhancing the art of milling.

As CEO, what is your long-term vision for Ocrim, and how do you plan to steer the company in the coming years? 

To be honest, I can’t say for sure where we will be in ten years — sometimes it’s even difficult to predict what will happen in ten days. We live in a world that, after the pandemic, has lost many points of reference. Global dynamics have changed profoundly, and this brings with it a sense of instability that we cannot ignore. What I can firmly say is that we will continue to work seriously and consistently. And I believe that the future will increasingly be in the hands of large industrial groups. In this context, our goal is to remain a reliable point of reference, capable of adapting to changes without losing our identity. Leading Ocrim also means this: navigating uncertainty, keeping our roots strong and remaining faithful to the values ​​that have allowed us to build an eighty-year history.

When Ocrim reaches its 100th anniversary, what legacy would you hope it leaves behind in the global milling industry?

When Ocrim turns one hundred, I hope it will be celebrated not only for what it has built, but for what it has transmitted. The true legacy we want to leave is made of values, skills and vision. The new generations represent our most important challenge: we believe in them and invest in them, so that they can reap what we have sown and carry it forward with their vision, with their energy, with their interpretation of the world. We do not want to deliver a model to replicate, but a solid foundation on which to build freely. If in - for example - twenty years, Ocrim is still synonymous with quality, milling culture and ethical commitment, it will mean that we have managed to do the right thing. And also for this reason we have transformed the motto of the new era from “Mande in Italy” to “Made In, With, For Italy”, a strong, challenging and unifying meaning.