Frontiers a new
symbol for our Future

The General Manager Vision

Volpi stepped into an environment full of potential: mature technical know-how, strong ties to the local territory, and high-value human capital. From the outset, he embraced a role he describes as that of an "ambassador," building a bridge between Comecer’s unique identity and local roots, and ATS's global, international culture.

His mission: to unlock the full potential of the company, its people, and its capabilities - guiding Comecer through a broader industrial integration and strategic evolution. Under his leadership, Comecer entered a phase of renewal and growth. The initial focus was on strengthening key functions - project management, engineering, and sales - supported by significant investments in new talent and expertise. The company expanded its workforce and reinforced its organizational processes.
Simultaneously, he led the adaptation of Comecer’s offering to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving market: expanding the production of systems for therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals (beyond diagnostics) and broadening the product portfolio with highly automated fill-finish solutions, opening new opportunities in the pharmaceutical and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) sectors.

Under Volpi’s guidance, Comecer filed more than 15 patents, achieved growth rates above industry benchmarks, and launched a phase of international expansion, including the establishment of a new U.S. operations site. He also brought two new industrial entities into the group: DF Siena (Italy) and I-Dositecno (Spain).

In addition to managing the business, Simone Volpi has consistently championed a human-centric vision, promoting an inclusive organizational culture where every individual - at every level - is valued for their contributions. Under his leadership, Comecer reduced turnover, strengthened internal career paths, and enhanced its appeal to new talent through partnerships with local universities and technical institutes. His leadership style also reflects his personal passions: woodworking, which channels creativity, and a sporting spirit that embodies determination and discipline.

Today, under his direction, Comecer looks toward new frontiers in technological innovation and global growth as the natural evolution of the journey taken in recent years. The focus is firmly on the future - not only to consolidate what has been achieved but to boldly and strategically shape the next 50 years of the company’s legacy.

When Everything Was Yet to Be Invented

50 Years of Comecer Through the Memories of Marino Rinaldi

To truly understand what Comecer represents today, we must go back to the very beginning. And no one is better suited to tell that story than Marino Rinaldi, born in 1959, a long-serving welder and dedicated collaborator of the company. Today, Marino is 66 years old and officially retired, but he has never stopped “lending a hand” when needed. “I do it out of affection too,” he says. These words capture the spirit of someone who has lived the company as a second home.

The Hands That Trained a Generation

Marino was a welder, and not just any welder. “In the beginning, I was the only one working with stainless steel. I trained all the welders who came after me. For ten years, I worked alone. Then we grew to about thirty in-house welders, plus the external companies I trained personally. That’s my greatest pride.” A craft built on technique, patience, and passion. And in Marino’s story, you can feel the value of passing on knowledge, that silent relay that keeps a company’s technical memory alive. Then came the collapse, literally, of one of the garages.

“One night, the roof came down. Luckily no one was hurt. But from there, the decision was made to build the first real production facility, on Via Emilia. And from there, we never stopped: more plants, expansion, international markets.”

Strong Roots, Forward Vision

From the 1990s onward, after the nuclear referendum, Comecer knew how to reinvent itself. “We looked abroad and toward pharmaceuticals. Today, Comecer celebrates its 50th anniversary, an important milestone marked by innovation, growth, and international challenges. But above all, it's a story of people like Marino, who welded not only steel, but generations, company culture, and a sense of belonging.

“It’s not just a job,” Marino concludes. “It’s a part of my life. And even now, when they call me... I’m there.”

Three Sites, 50 Years of History, a Journey of Continuous Growth

Comecer – Certified Mechanical Constructions – was established in 1975 in Castel Bolognese, in the province of Ravenna, along the historic Via Emilia.
In fifty years, the company has changed location twice, always remaining within its hometown. These moves spanned only a few hundred meters, yet they symbolize a remarkable transformation: from a local workshop to an international player in medical technology.

In recent years, Comecer has broadened its manufacturing horizon through:

• the acquisition of Veenstra (Netherlands) and the creation of Comecer NL;
• the expansion into the Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) sector;
• the implementation of UNI CEI EN ISO 50001 and 50002 energy management systems;
• joining the ATS Automation group;
• the expansion into the Aseptic Filling sector through DF Siena and I-Dositecno Barcelona.

Today, Comecer is a global reference in technologies for nuclear medicine, isolation, and pharmaceutical production. Its bond with Castel Bolognese remains strong: this is where the company will celebrate its 50th anniversary in September.

When you set out on a journey, there's always a point of departure.

At Comecer, one of those starting points was drawn with ruler and pencil on a sheet of technical paper. The year was 1975. From a sketch, an idea, a need – to protect those working with radioactive materials began our path into the world of isolators and hot cells. For those unfamiliar, hot cells are highly shielded and controlled environments that prevent operators from any direct contact with hazardous radiation, enabling the safe handling of nuclear materials such as spent fuel or radioactive waste.

Even back then, in our very first year, Comecer placed the health and safety of healthcare professionals and nuclear technicians at the core of its mission. Hot cells were used to analyze irradiated materials, inspect spent fuel, conduct nuclear safety research, and manage radioactive waste. All of this took place in protected spaces, enclosed by thick lead walls, where operators could work safely using remote manipulators.

In the original 1975 design (as shown in the image), a special attention to safety is already evident: the lower section of the cell was specifically designed to collect contaminated waste, minimizing any risk of exposure. A simple yet remarkably innovative solution for the time.

Today, 50 years later, Comecer’s hot cells are far more advanced equipped with automation, smart sensors, and robotic systems.

Comecer’s shielded isolators and hot cells are now used in nuclear medicine departments of hospitals, radiopharmacies, and radiochemistry laboratories. They play a vital role in the production of radiopharmaceuticals, in compliance with GMP guidelines, and are employed for research, handling, fractionation, and dispensing of radiopharmaceuticals in both hospital and research settings. Operators who prepare doses for radiotherapy must never be exposed to the radiation emitted by radioactive isotopes that’s why our cells are built with proper lead shielding. The internal work area is lined with 316L stainless steel, but can also be customized using materials such as Stainless steel (316L) with acid-proof coating, Plexiglas, or Polypropylene (PP) to suit specific needs.

Times change and for the better but our philosophy remains the same: protecting people always comes first.
This image, then, is not just a technical drawing. It's the symbol of a commitment that has always guided us and still does today.

Frontiers is the word that best embodies the spirit of our time.

We chose it as the guiding theme of our 50th anniversary not to celebrate the past, but to honor the future.

For Comecer, Frontiers is more than just a concept; it’s a true manifesto. It represents our ability to grow, innovate, and push boundaries. It is the driving force behind our mission to expand the frontiers of regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and pharmaceutical process safety.

Pushing beyond our limits means offering new hope to those we strive to protect: healthcare professionals, technicians, and patients. Frontiers is the perfect synthesis of our history.

We look ahead with pride, not fear-confident in our ability to reach and surpass every horizon. It’s about challenges, vision, and believing in our capabilities. As we move toward the future we envision, we remain grounded in our roots. Our connection to the land where we grew up fuels our research and inspires us to give back to the community that shaped us. But frontiers are not just scientific and technological.

Every step we take is guided by ethics, because we believe that innovation and responsibility must go hand in hand.

This year, Frontiers will be at the heart of our communication, telling the story of our past, present, and future-through our people, our technology, and our expertise.