Rocco

With 109 participants, the tournament reaffirmed the close bond between Oiki Acciai Inossidabili Spa and the game of golf, which over the years has become a meaningful part of the company’s culture. But the most important number of the day wasn’t on the scorecard: all registration fees — totalling €2,507 — were donated to GiocoAmico, a non-profit association based at the University Hospital of Parma.

Since 1998, GiocoAmico has been supporting children in paediatric wards by offering psycho-pedagogical assistance and recreational activities. Thanks to Oiki’s backing, their vital work continues to grow and thrive.

This philosophy — blending a love for sport with a lasting impact on the local community — is at the heart of Oiki’s business values. The golf tournament is just one of several initiatives the company supports. Others include the Energy Volley summer camp in Parma’s Cittadella park and various grassroots sports organisations in the region.

With the Oiki Trophy, the company proves that even an individual sport like golf can foster unity and generosity. And the commitment doesn’t stop here: the 33rd edition is already planned for next year, with the same goal of combining sport and social purpose.

At a time when businesses are increasingly expected to take an active role in their communities, Oiki is leading by example. Here, sport and solidarity aren’t just buzzwords — they’re a way of doing business.

Bettuzzi highlighted price dynamics as a central issue, noting short-term stability. “ We foresee relatively steady prices over the next three months, despite a clear imbalance between excessive supply and still-muted demand. However, we expect a potential turnaround in the second half of the year, ,” he explained. A possible rebound in prices may be influenced by upcoming regulatory measures, some of which—like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)—are still under evaluation by the European Commission.

One of the most impactful changes could be the introduction of the “Melted and Poured” rule, which establishes a product’s origin based on where the steel is melted, regardless of any subsequent transformations.

“The most pressing issue,” Bettuzzi noted, “concerns demand evolution. Should certain environmental regulations currently under discussion—especially in the green sector—come fully into force without a coordinated political vision to safeguard the value chain, the industry risks a significant blow, with heavy consequences on final consumption. .” This concern is echoed across the sector, especially as the ecological transition threatens to rewrite the rules of the game.

The conference also shed light on major transformations reshaping the entire value chain: from production, under pressure due to global competition distorted by subsidies and overcapacity, to distribution, which is now increasingly crowded with diverse operators, and downstream processing, particularly in key sectors such as automotive and white goods.

Within this context, Oiki—operating since 1966 and now among Europe’s leading independent stainless steel distributors—continues to stand out thanks to its efficient logistics and strong drive toward innovation, while staying true to its founding values: quality, speed, and customisation.

“Our role today,” Bettuzzi concluded, “ is to navigate with clarity in a hyper-competitive market, identifying weak signals before they evolve into waves of transformation. Flexibility will be our strength, innovation our direction.” .