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Hira: the first woman researcher in Sampierana

Posted on 11 December 2025 | by dellamonicasara

We met Hira, whose presence at our Sampierana plant enriches our research department. With her dark eyes and a calm, yet determined voice, Hira embodies a fascinating and distinct cultural vision, bringing a breath of innovation to our daily work.

Hira is a Researcher directly selected by the University of Bologna (Unibo) for an important project. Backed by a Ph.D. in Communication and Informatics, she is applying her specialized skills—originally focused on intelligent vehicles—to the world of excavators, with a particular focus on electric models.

We interviewed her to hear firsthand about the project she is carrying out here with us, and to discover how her cutting-edge research is shaping the future of our machinery.

How did you start this adventure?

I am a researcher, and I have a Ph. D degree in Communication and Informatics, so it started by applying to Unibo. I saw a project on the Unibo website, basically, it was related to my field. My Ph. D is about Intelligent Vehicles and the vehicles that communicate with infrastructure in other vehicles, like I have seen in Tesla.

The research project is directly connected to my field of study concerning communicating vehicles (V2V/V2D) and their drivers. This technology is vital for excavators in the earthmoving sector, where remote communication is necessary to support operators and improve work efficiency.

I found a specific project focusing on energy optimization and analysis within the earthmoving sector. After applying to the website, I underwent two interviews: a technical interview with the professor and a second with 4-5 people covering more general information. Following this, I was requested to relocate and work in Italy within the construction machinery industry (such as San Piero and CNH), as the project requires a physical presence on-site and cannot be managed entirely remotely.

While you are staying here, are you working in San Piero and also attending university?

I started working in November, and my current time is split between the University and the company plants. Given that my field is Informatics and Computer Science, most of my research analysis can be done remotely.

While you are staying here, are you working in San Piero and also attending university?

When I’m at university, my focus is on planning research notes. However, I am currently in a training phase and not yet performing practical work on the excavators, such as mini excavators, studying the structure of the excavators, analyzing safety components, and reviewing extensive documentation, particularly for electric models.

The goal of this training phase is to thoroughly understand the structure and key parameters. We will only transition to hands-on work with excavators after completing this foundational analysis is complete.

How long have you been planning to stay here?

I am excited to finally apply everything I studied in research and theory to this construction machinery environment.

I plan to stay here for a long time, as I made a deliberate switch from a 10-year career as a University Lecturer (2015-2025) to join the industry. This is the first step in switching my professional field to apply my knowledge in a practical, real-world context.

What is your personal goal in Sampierana?

“My personal goal at Sampierana is to apply my PhD expertise in Communication and Vehicles to the earthmoving sector. Drawing inspiration from the CNH view, it is possible to study a system where excavators communicate with each other and with the environment, also taking inspiration from the automotive industry (Tesla is a clear example).“

This complete communication procedure must be shifted to the construction machinery industry because it is necessary. Driving excavators is a high-risk task, making drivers and surrounding personnel vulnerable. Therefore, a network for communication and real-time monitoring is essential.

Currently, we lack real-time monitoring of actual vehicle features (like arm movements, joysticks, and brakes), even if we know the GPS location. If we must move a boom, we need remote confirmation that the movement is correct. The goal is to see the complete picture of the work area (e.g., via satellite view) to make better operational decisions, as the driver only sees their specific part. This capability would also allow us to monitor the operator from a distance.

The safety of interconnections is an increasingly prominent topic in the context of earthmoving vehicles.

Hira’s interview allowed us to reflect on new ideas and the evolving role of technology in the earthmoving sector. We are always proud to welcome young faces and voices to Sampierana, as commented by Natalia Bitencourt, HR Product Development & Quality EU:

“This collaboration with the University of Cesena represents a fundamental investment in talent and innovation. For Sampierana, focusing on young people and excellent engineering skills is the key to building the future.”

Inauguration of CNH Cesena headquarters and San Piero Canteen

Posted on 14 July 2023 | by dellamonicasara

The new facility, thanks to major investments, will become strategic for the production of compact construction equipment, including electric mini-excavators. The inauguration follows that of the new canteen in San Piero in Bagno, which opened on Monday, June 26.

Turin, June 27, 2023 – A new CNH Industrial plant dedicated to the production of mini-excavators, up to 2 tons including electric models, and tracked skid steer loaders was inaugurated today in Cesena. The opening ceremony was held in the presence of Vincenzo Colla, Assessor for Economic Development of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Enzo Lattuca, Mayor of Cesena and President of the Province of Forlì-Cesena, along with Stefano Pampalone, CNH Industrial Construction President and Federico Bullo, Head of Construction Europe.

At the inauguration, Stefano Pampalone announced a donation worth 500,000 euros to the Civil Defense, confirming the company’s commitment to the Cesena area and its closeness to the communities affected by the recent flooding.

Thanks to the acquisition of Sampierana Spa, which took place at the end of 2021, and CNH Industrial’s subsequent investments, the Cesena plant will be able to better manage the increase in production volumes, going to flank and support the historic headquarters in San Piero in Bagno, which with its 14,000 m² houses the administrative offices, design, an R&D center specializing in electrification and the production of compact machines. A pole of excellence that as of yesterday also has a new canteen, inaugurated by CNH Industrial management in the presence of the deputy mayor of Bagno di Romagna, Enrico Spighi.

The industrial reality, strongly rooted in the area, now has over 400 employees between San Piero in Bagno and Cesena, 60 percent of whom are under 35 years of age; it also boasts an important allied industry and products that have always been a benchmark in the sector, appreciated internationally and exported worldwide under the CASE Construction Equipment, New Holland Construction and Eurocomach brands.

Vincenzo Colla declared:
em>Today’s inauguration represents an important investment for our region and has a strong symbolic value for this territory, ready to restart and compete with the world. The new plant, a center of excellence for compact machines in the construction sector, confirms the quality of our workforce, along with the vision of a large international group with strong territorial roots and an eye always turned toward the future.

Stephen Pampalone pointed out:
“Thanks to the skills, degree of innovation, passion and commitment of the people in Cesena and San Piero in Bagno, our strategy of international development and strengthening of the Construction segment in key markets cPampalone went on:ontinues.”

Pampalone went on:
“The start-up, just this month, of the new production line underscores the company’s commitment to the area and its closeness to the communities affected by the floods.”

Federico Bullo declared:
“When it acquired this industrial entity in late 2021, CNH Industrial set out to grow it further by investing in technology, research and development, and, most importantly, in people. The inauguration of the canteen in San Piero and that of the Cesena plant are tangible proof of that commitment.”

The morning ended with a tour of the new plant and a presentation of machines, including the new fully electric 1.5-ton mini-excavator that carries forward CNH Industrial’s construction equipment electrification strategy and will soon be joined by the larger 2.5-ton model. The two models will cover the two most important segments of the market with a view to sustainability and reduced environmental impact.

CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI) is a leading global Machinery and Services Company. Guided by its Breaking New Ground purpose, focused on Innovation, Sustainability and Productivity, the Company provides the strategic direction, R&S capabilities and investments that make the success of its global and regional brands possible. Globally, Case IH and New Holland Agriculture provide all-around agricultural applications, from machinery to equipment along with the digital technologies that enhance them; CASE and New Holland Construction Equipment, offer a full line of construction products that increase productivity in the industry. The Company’s regionally focused brands include STEYR, for agricultural tractors; Raven, a leader in digital agriculture, precision technology, and autonomous systems development; Flexi-Coil, specializing in tillage and seeding systems; and Miller, a manufacturer of application equipment; Kongskilde, supplying equipment for tillage, seeding, hay and forage management; and Eurocomach, manufacturer of a wide range of mini and midi excavators for the construction industry, including electric solutions.

Backed by more than two centuries of history, CNH Industrial has always been at the forefront of the industries in which it operates and continues to drive innovation with passion and enthusiasm, fostering efficiency and customer success. As a truly global company, CNH Industrial’s more than 40,000 employees all work together to create a work environment of diversity and inclusion, with the common goal of helping customers cultivate and build a better world.

For more information and to view the latest financial and sustainability reports, visit: cnhindustrial.com

Women Academy

Posted on 12 July 2023 | by dellamonicasara

From 3 to 14 July we launched the Women Academy program in San Piero for nine women .

The idea was born from the desire to embrace the theme of em>diversity inclusion, , combined with the need to insert labor on the lines assembly in the headquarters of San Piero.

The girls involved in the project come from areas of expertise other than that of engineering, with main origin from the food industry.

Valeria Barilà, Head of Recruiter and Training in Sampierana, tells how the Women Academy project was born:

We noticed that the CVs received for production line positions were sent by women with a different work background than usual. At that point came the idea to start from those who had the will to get involved, preparing specific training programs. We have thus made available our staff and all the tools available to help new recruits to introduce their skills in a different field. In addition, we have also pursued another important objective: the enhancement of the resources present in the area.

The idea of creating a series of pre-work training aimed at women to convey knowledge and techniques related to the production of excavators has proven successful.

They are almost all local women, an added value for us and for the company that continues to offer possibilities to those who live in this territory through a continuous attention to the themes of diversity and inclusion.

Today the new colleagues have officially joined the Production team, starting a modern and innovative path for Sampierana.

We decided to tell the project through a series of interviews with the people involved that will be shared on our social channels.