Married and in love with her two little dogs, Giulia Castoldi (pictured aside), 35, is the marketing manageress of the BCS Group. But that's
not all. She is also councillor of the Mechatronics Group as well as representative of the automotive sector in Assolombarda, and member of the general council of Federunacoma and member of the general council of Assolombarda.
After graduating from Cattolica University with a degree in Psychological Sciences and Techniques and a master's degree from SDA Bocconi in Entrepreneurship and Business Strategy, Giulia Castoldi worked in the marketing department at Emmi Holding Italia and, after a year-long gap year, she returned to the family-owned business, first in charge of the marketing of the MOSA brand and, recently, directing the marketing of the entire group.
The BCS Group is a leading multinational company in the mechanized sector founded in 1943 by the Castoldi family, of which Giulia is a member. The company's head office is located in Abbiategrasso (Milan). The BCS Group's factories are located in Abbiategrasso, Luzzara and Cusago, and include all the main production processes, from the design and construction of agricultural and green maintenance machinery to the production of autonomous power supply and welding.
FreshPlaza (FP): What were the initial difficulties you faced in a typically male-dominated sector such as that of agricultural mechanization?
Giulia Castoldi (GC): I think I have met the same difficulties that anyone would encounter in any company, regardless of the context. The difficulties are usually about training and acquiring the skills needed to succeed. Working in an environment where the percentage of men is very high has not been and still isn't a problem for me, as long as you know how to do your job with passion and competence.
My career in the company took several stages. I became a marketing manageress by moving from one department to another, which allowed me to fully understand the real needs of the BCS Group. This led me to believe that where there is proven experience, knowledge and skills, one's authority goes beyond gender. This is also the case of associations I belong to, in sectors that are usually considered male and where more and more women are starting to emerge.
On the other hand, despite the slowdown due to the pandemic, the Italian agriculture scenario is showing changes. According to an analysis by Coldiretti, the number of women in the primary sector is close to 29%. More and more women are employed in the Italian agricultural sector, both on the entrepreneurial and the purely manual side.
FP: An outstanding curriculum vitae for a young woman of only 35 years old. While you were studying, was it already part of your ambition to join the family business? If so, what were and still are the values that inspired you to make this choice?
GC: In my family, passion has always been an essential value. Tractors are part of my DNA and my work, but I'm really passionate about mechanics and I have to say that the contribution that our tractors make to the cultivation of orchards and vineyards is truly a source of great satisfaction. When I watch their performance and see the added value for both the grower and the production line, which provides the valuable variety and quality products, how can I not love this field?
This passion led to my studies, a degree in Occupational Psychology and a master's degree in Entrepreneurship and Business Strategy at SDA Bocconi, which made it possible for me, after starting out in the BCS Group and gaining experience in a company other than my family's, to take on management roles, first as the Marketing Manageress for MOSA and now for the entire Group. Our motto is 'always one step ahead'. This philosophy has helped me both to become more and more passionate about the company and to keep improving every day.
FP: What advice would you give to women (but also to men) who want to enter sectors such as mechanization or agriculture?
GC: It's an all-purpose piece of advice, and it doesn't just apply to our sector. It's to do your best and work hard without worrying too much about the context, because integrity and skills will always emerge. Us women have more awareness and have greater serenity than past generations, we no longer have to prove our worth to anyone. We determine our own self-worth.
FP: Can you tell us a particular anecdote, linked to your career or your private life, that is connected to the first or second question?
GC: I have one that covers both. We have always valued passion in this company. Years ago, my grandfather gave to his employees a newspaper cut-out that stated 'Put your soul into your work and you will succeed. Passion is essential'. It is a clipping that I treasure and carry in my heart every day.
