Featured Member: Orlando Matteoni

Meet Orlando Matteoni - Regional Manager, Brazil

Meet Orlando Matteoni, Regional Manager, Brazil - a veteran of pulp and papermaking problem solving who understands the unique way of life and business in Brazil and South America. For Orlando, helping customers achieve trouble-free operations is always the goal.

Tell us about your background and current role at AFT

I have been a fan of the automotive industry from a young age, and I focused on design and mechanical manufacturing in high school. I graduated university as an industrial technician and mechanical production engineer and started my career as a process engineer at Coors Ceramics. 

After several years in the P&P industry, I joined Beloit as a Millpro agent and was later recruited by CBTI as a product manager after Beloit left the business. Twelve years ago, I made my way to AFT as an application manager for AFT Brazil and today I am responsible for the entire South American business operation.

Describe how you interact with customers and what aspects you enjoy most

Information is the most critical part of my job.  Like steering a ship, even when the origin and destination are known, getting to the desired outcome depends on how you manage information and the resources you have.

Face-to-face interactions in the field, where we share experiences and feelings, is my preferred approach - I look forward to going back to this again post-pandemic!  I enjoy spending time with customers discussing their needs and the solutions we can provide. When we accomplish what we have projected, especially for new customers and markets—that is the biggest reward.

How is the P&P industry changing in your region and what do you find most challenging?

With the decline of the Printing and Writing market due to the pandemic, we are now focused on growing the business in tissue and OCC markets. Our challenge is to prove to this price oriented market the many cost benefits of using AFT’s advanced technology products.

What added value does AFT provide to customers and prospects?

We deliver top quality applications support, combined with excellent product offerings, to achieve increased yield and savings.  Taking an upgrading approach to increase production instead of requiring high capital investments is another advantage from AFT.

What do you like to do when not at work?

Spending time outdoors in nature, going off road on a bike or in a jeep fills my batteries. And listening to good music, especially rock and roll.

What is something people might not know about you?

I am not a conventional or traditional person, I like practicing “out of the box”  thinking. Of Italian origin, I was born in Brazil, and have lived all over the country. I have been lucky enough to work for several global companies throughout my career and have travelled abroad. Exposure to multicultural experiences, working with people from around the world, has made my life richer and my perspective broader.