Special Vehicles and Gimmi's Role as Division Manager
In a global market where construction site demands change at lightning speed, the ability to adapt is no longer just an advantage, but a crucial competitive factor. At Sampierana (the group behind the Eurocomach brand), innovation moves forward on the legs of its people and their ability to listen.
We interviewed Gimmi Sampaoli, a long-standing pillar of the company, who shared his journey with us—one that literally started "in diapers" within the production departments—and the birth of the Special Applications division, a true high-tech tailoring workshop for earthmoving equipment.
A Lifetime at Sampierana: From the Assembly Line to the Technical Office
La storia lavorativa di Gimmi Sampaoli coincide con la crescita stessa dell'azienda: ben 25 anni di esperienza sul campo, iniziati nel 2001 come dipendente fisso, ma nati ancora prima durante i mesi estivi della scuola.
During my school days, it was common practice to work during the summer breaks," Gimmi recalls. "I did a school-work internship program and worked in practically every production department: machine assembly, undercarriage assembly, the warehouse, and service. This hands-on experience allowed me to get to know every single bolt of our machines before permanently joining the technical office after completing my military service.
Gimmi Sampaoli, Technical Manager for Skid Design and Special VehiclesHis first 10–15 years as a technical draftsman and designer were focused on the skid steer loader line. Today, Gimmi is the Technical Manager for skid loader design (which includes the 4 models of the Linea 4, the radio-controlled machine, and the upcoming Small Frames), but since 2024, his challenge has expanded to leading the Special Vehicles department.
What are Eurocomach "Special Vehicles"
The current market does not just demand standard catalog machines. Often, dealers, end-users, or the sales network put forward specific requests for niche markets or extreme applications. The department led by Sampaoli was created for exactly this reason: to engineer custom solutions outside of standard production.
Customizations range from complex structural modifications to 'One-Shot' solutions (one-off machines created upon specific request). Over the past two years, the department has developed high-tech projects:
The Demolition Machine (Second Series)
Evoluzione del primo modello presentato al Bauma, la nuova versione è dotata di un braccio intercambiabile. Partendo da una base unica con un braccio fisso alla torretta, il cliente può montare tre diverse configurazioni a seconda dell'applicazione: Scavo, Demolizione o Long Reach. Una macchina multifunzione flessibile e modulare.
Versioni Speciali con Braccio Triplice e Carri Allargati
Modelli nati per rispondere a specifiche esigenze geometriche o di stabilità (come i modelli 100 TR / 105 o i CX con braccio triplice).
Extreme Terrain Configurations
Like the Eurocomach 60 model, customized with a special undercarriage and 800 mm track shoes, specifically designed to work in the swampy areas of Scotland, minimizing ground pressure.
The Biggest Challenge? Time
When asked about the true strength of his team, Gimmi Sampaoli has no doubts: listening to the customer and taking an empathetic approach to design.
A good engineer cannot limit themselves to encyclopedically following textbooks; they must step out of the office, visit job sites to deliver machines, and see how they actually work.
If you tell a customer they have to wait two or three years to get a special machine, that customer goes and buys it somewhere else," Gimmi explains. "The real challenge is combining design complexity with extremely tight delivery times. It is a 360-degree effort that involves the entire Sampierana Team: from engineering to workshop support, all the way to final approval.
Gimmi SampaoliA Simple Philosophy: Safety, Supply Chain, and Listening
When asked about the true strength of his team, Gimmi Sampaoli has no doubts: listening to the customer and taking an empathetic approach to design.
A good engineer cannot limit themselves to encyclopedically following textbooks; they must step out of the office, visit job sites to deliver machines, and see how they actually work.
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Safety and Control: When designing a new model, the team's mantra is: "Remember that a real person will have to operate it." Ease of operation and maximum safety are the absolute priorities.
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360-Degree Design: A well-made machine must take the entire supply chain into account. It must be easy for the supplier to manufacture, simple for the assembly line colleagues to assemble, and straightforward for quality control to inspect. Ease of assembly is the first step to ensuring a defect-free finished product.
Without listening to our customers, we would be nothing," Gimmi concludes. "Providing quick responses and making them feel at the center of the project is what transforms a simple machine into a perfect work solution.
Gimmi Sampaoli