Yours is a company with 57 years of history behind it: how do you manage to combine tradition and innovation?

“Fass, in more than 50 years of activity, has been able to evolve without losing its connection with its territory. Most of our employees come from the local community, and we actively support sports and cultural initiatives in the area. This connection has allowed us to grow with strong roots while embracing innovation. Today, we are constantly investing in research and development to ensure quality, and advanced solutions, always respecting our identity and values.”

So how does technological innovation come to be embodied?

“With our configurator. This tool is an important additional service for our customers, offering partners the ability to quickly and intuitively customize products, streamlining the selection process and digitally reducing development time.”

Explain in more detail.

“We have developed one configurator at the moment: the handle configurator that allows you to select type, colors, sizes and technical details of the handles. And we are working on launching a new tool to make the configuration of our products even more unique and usable.”

With which results?

“Thanks to these tools, Fass offers its partners a unique flexibility. In addition, we continue to invest in state-of-the-art automated machinery, managing all processing steps in-house thanks to our production verticalization. This allows us to guarantee high quality standards, reduce the risk of nonconformity, and offer targeted solutions for the market.”
Today, environmental sustainability goes hand in hand with technological innovation and is a central focus for every company: how does Fass pursue this goal?
“Sustainability is a fundamental pillar of our company. At the beginning of 2025 we published our first sustainability report, a significant milestone that allows us to transparently report on our environmental, social and economic commitment. This document brings together data, initiatives and achievements on our journey toward increasingly responsible and sustainable production. To reduce our environmental impact, we have invested in renewable energy, installing photovoltaic panels that power part of our production and help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.”

What about the circular economy?

“We strongly believe in it: we recover and re-generate production waste, limiting the use of virgin raw materials and promoting a more efficient and sustainable production model. This approach has led us to develop the Natural Green line, made with up to 95 percent recycled materials, thus offering our partners environmentally friendly solutions without compromising quality and performance. And our commitment extends even beyond manufacturing.”

We are proud to announce the release of our first Sustainability Report, which represents a step forward in our commitment towards transparency, social responsibility and environmental protection. This document is the result of teamwork and the desire to share with you the path we are taking towards an increasingly sustainable and resilient business model.

A journey more than 50 years long

Since 1968, Fass has distinguished itself by combining quality, innovation and design in the service of cleaning. Our Easy Cleaning concept reflects the philosophy that guides us: to offer products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing to simplify consumers’ daily lives. However, being a benchmark in the industry does not only mean responding to today’s needs, but also looking to tomorrow with responsibility.

The challenges of the present and our response

We live in a changing global context, marked by complex challenges such as the transition to sustainability, digitalisation and the uncertainty of markets. To meet them, we are committed to international standards such as ISO 14001 for the environment, SA 8000 for social responsibility and ISO 9001 for quality.
Another key element has been the adoption of our Code of Ethics, which guides us in maintaining consistency between our principles and our actions. This approach underpins Fass’ sustainability strategy, which aims to:
– Reduce the environmental impact of our products.
– Improve resource efficiency.
– Adopt planet-friendly production processes.

Central themes of the Sustainability Report

In the report, we addressed several important topics, including:
1. Economy and transparency: the value generated, governance and our commitment to ethics and regulatory compliance.
2. People and society: occupational health and safety, equal opportunities and lifelong learning.
3. Environment and raw materials: environmental policies, resource management and nature conservation projects and collaborations.

Towards a sustainable future

This report is a moment of reflection and a promise for the future. We reaffirm our commitment to continue building value together, supporting the communities in which we operate. With the claim Totally Made in FASS, we reaffirm our pride in the excellence achieved through the contribution of every person who works with us and those who choose our products.
We invite you to consult the entire document on our website to discover all the details.

With the aim of simplifying and optimizing the customization process, FASS introduces the handle configurator, an innovative and unique tool that allows our partners to independently design fully customized handles. A state-of-the-art service designed to precisely meet the needs of our customers in the B2B market. It was a job that took several months of development where we tried to analyze in detail all the components and combinations that form the basis of our handles in order to be able to offer as many solutions as possible to our customers.

A simple and intuitive experience
The configurator guides the user through a few clear steps:
1. Model selection: there are three options to choose from depending on the need (fixed, telescopic or multi-piece). Next, we offer the option of selecting handle dimensions, such as diameter, length, and thickness.

2. Detailed customization: once we choose the type of handle, we can go on to customize a number of elements:
• choose the color and pattern of the tube.
• customize the cap, selecting it from our options or uploading a proprietary design, including the company logo.
• define the color of the screw and choose one from the proposed designs.
• finalize the design with your custom label.

3. Real-time 3D mockup: thanks to three-dimensional visualization, any changes are applied instantly, allowing for a faithful preview of the finished product.

4. Project management: completed the design, you can save it on your personal page. Once saved, it will always be available for editing, downloading, and to be sent directly to a FASS operator in order to get an economic quote.

An added value: in-house verticalization
The efficiency and quality of the configurator are supported by our internal organization, which relies on fully verticalized production. This means that every stage, from design to production, takes place in-house, guaranteeing:
• Total control over processes.
• Highest quality of final products.
• Optimized timelines to meet customer demands.

Why choose the FASS Configurator?
This tool represents a major innovation in our industry, offering high-level customization quickly and easily. The handle can be designed to reflect the customer’s needs and reflect brand identity, with the reliability and precision that has always been our hallmark.

At FASS, we have always believed in the importance of investing in advanced technology to guarantee our partners high quality products that are sustainable and made with efficient processes.

The excellence of Made in Italy machineries
The choice to use mainly machineries designed and built in Italy is not random: it represents a perfect combination of technological innovation and attention to detail. These tools allow us to:
– Achieve high quality standards, thanks to precision technology.
– Optimise production processes, reducing machining times and waste.
– Integrate advanced control and traceability features, ensuring constant quality monitoring.
Each machine is designed to meet specific production requirements, with a focus on energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Automation and sustainability are the focus
Our production is strongly oriented towards automation and sustainability: all our machines are equipped with waste recovery systems, allowing us to minimise waste and adopt a circular approach, reintegrating materials into production cycles.

The new EKW 28Pi: an example of innovation
Among our latest machinery, the EKW 28Pi full electric press stands out. This model represents a further evolution towards sustainable, automated production. Fully electric, it eliminates the use of hydraulic oil, traditionally used for machinery of this type, thus reducing environmental impact. It is also equipped with the latest generation of servomotors, which guarantee optimised energy consumption and extreme precision in the work phases. Furthermore, thanks to the integrated robot and the connection to our management system, it allows continuous quality control and simplifies packaging operations.

A constant commitment to the future
The adoption of advanced technology is an ongoing commitment for us. Thanks to our equipment, we can guarantee efficient production processes, superior quality products and constant attention to the environment. At FASS, technology is at the service of people and the planet.

On the National Tree Day, we want to share a crucial aspect of our ecological commitment: our collaboration with Treedom to create the “Easy Cleaning Forest.” Since 2023, we have managed to plant no less than 1,000 trees scattered in countries such as Ecuador, Kenya, Cameroon, Haiti, Nepal, Tanzania, Colombia, and Guatemala. Each of them has a specific goal aimed at improving the environment and supporting the local communities involved. In fact, coffee, dynamite, cocoa and mango trees have been grafted, selected to meet the specific needs of each area.

Easy Cleaning Forest: a long-lasting impact

This forest is a long-term commitment: we do not simply plant, but we ensure that these trees can grow and thrive, generating benefits on multiple levels. In fact, the trees in our forest will help reduce atmospheric CO₂, absorbing a total of 297.75 tons of CO₂ during their life cycle ( which is equivalent to the emissions of about 2.3 million kilometers driven by an average gasoline car, with an estimated average of 130 g of CO₂ per kilometer). This uptake represents one of many concrete actions that FASS is taking to foster a more sustainable and green future.

Environmental benefits

Planted trees not only bring environmental benefits, but also improve the ecosystem as a whole. In fact, planting helps to:
• counteract soil erosion.
• enrich biodiversity.
• preserve soil fertility.
• create ecosystems that are sustainable for the long term.

Each tree is chosen and cared for so that it can integrate into its surroundings, producing maximum ecological benefits and increasing the resilience of soil and natural resources.

Social benefits

Working with Treedom allows us to directly engage NGOs and local communities in a process of land resource enhancement. Through funding, training and technical assistance, we make it possible for each tree to represent an opportunity for economic and nutritional growth. In fact, local communities not only graft the trees, but also benefit in the long run from the fruit, wood, and new opportunities that arise from these projects. This model supports their economic independence and ensures a more prosperous future for generations to come.

A commitment to future generations

In our journey toward sustainability, every tree planted and every product created with sustainable materials are concrete steps toward a greener future. With Easy Cleaning Forest and our green line, we aim to generate a positive impact beyond the environment, while also supporting local communities and promoting a more equitable economy. On this National Tree Day, we renew our commitment to cultivating a cleaner, more nature-friendly world for ourselves and future generations

At Fass, we have developed an integrated quality control system that allows us to monitor every stage of production, from the receiving of raw materials to the finished product. This system was designed six years ago to ensure that all materials used and production processes meet the standards agreed with our customers, improving efficiency and traceability while minimizing nonconformities.

Our approach to quality control is divided into two phases: an inspection at the goods acceptance stage and one at the production stage. The quality manager and the integrated system manager, define the specifications to be monitored, also taking into account any parameters provided by customers.

Quality control at the acceptance stage

The first check takes place when the raw materials are received. At this stage, we check the conformity of the material, as well as perform checks on the packaging and the quantities indicated in the transport documents. For example, one of the parameters we can monitor is delta E, which measures how light reflects off colors to ensure a perfect color match to customer expectations.

As a result of the checks, we were able to find that in 2023, out of approximately 3,950,000 kilograms of purchased iron, there were 13 reports of nonconformity totaling approximately 87,000 kilograms of nonconforming material, or 2.2 percent of the iron received. This data is stored and analyzed to ensure that nonconforming raw materials are identified and isolated before entering the production process.

Quality control during production

Quality control continues during production, with two stages:
-A one-time check at the start of production, aimed at ensuring that machines are properly set up and ready for processing.
-Subsequent hourly checks, to continuously monitor production quality.

The above checks can be customized according to specific customer requirements, and if a product does not meet standards, it is automatically excluded from the production cycle.

Technology and training

Some of our machines are capable of performing checks independently and continuously: for example, the machine that makes mops measures the weight of items once an hour, while the profiling machine records thickness and diameter of profiles. When manual checks are needed, however, our in-house trained specialists are ready to respond thanks to the automatic notifications that the integrated system sends, ensuring that every step is under control.

Advantages of the integrated quality control system

Our integrated quality control system has several advantages, both operational and managerial:
–Data traceability and historicization: all controls performed, from acceptance to production, are stored in the system, making it easy to access and consult historical data. This makes it possible to quickly identify any recurring problems and improve processes.
–Production efficiency: the constant monitoring of quality and the integration of automated controls reduce intervention time and improve operational efficiency.
–Waste reduction: the system enables immediate detection of defects or nonconformities, improving resource management.

With this approach, we are able to maintain high quality standards at all stages of production, minimizing errors and ensuring greater reliability of final products.

In the previous blog article, we introduced you to our barcode scanning system, which allows the company to keep track of all its production processes. In this article, we would like to highlight another fundamental aspect of our business dynamics: batch traceability.
Batch traceability has become a fundamental element in many sectors, especially in industry, because it allows us to follow a product from its raw material to the end customer, guaranteeing quality, safety and compliance with current regulations.

HOW BATCH TRACEABILITY WORKS AT FASS

Within our company, batch traceability is carried out throughout the supply chain, involving all stages of the company’s production process:
RECEPTION: When goods arrive at our warehouse, our operators not only check their quality, but also identify each consignment with the batch/ddt number assigned to the supplier. If the accompanying documentation is correct and all batch details are recorded in our system, the goods are ready for use and handling within our factory.
PRODUCTION: During the production process, all batches of raw materials used for each semi-finished or finished product are recorded. This allows us to create internal batches: we assign a unique batch number to each semi-finished or finished product to identify the batches of raw materials used.
SALES: Once the finished product has been manufactured, a batch number is assigned to it, which is then included in the customer’s order. The inclusion of this data in the sales documents (delivery note/invoice) and the retention of all data relating to batches sent out, in the event of a problem, allows us to trace the entire “history” of the product, guaranteeing the customer maximum reliability and impeccable service.

ON THE CUSTOMER’S SIDE

The batch traceability process applied at Fass is at the heart of the company’s production process, allowing us to monitor every little aspect of our production. Investments in systems and procedures that are appropriate and up-to-date with the times are a tangible example of how our company has improved its efficiency, reduced risks and strengthened customer confidence, offering and guaranteeing them greater transparency and the possibility of verifying the entire history and origin of the product purchased.

BARCODE READERS IN FASS: A 360° VERTICAL INTEGRATION

At FASS, material traceability is the backbone of our production, ensuring the highest quality standards. Each component, each processing phase, and each finished product is meticulously identified and monitored through a capillary traceability system based on barcode technology.
Since 2015, Fass has implemented a MES system that has enabled the management of production and warehousing through the use of barcode readers, allowing for the realization of a series of crucial operations within our production process. These barcode readers not only represent a significant leap forward in company technology but also an investment by the company in its employees, facilitating the work process as much as possible and ensuring they receive the best possible training for the use of these tools.
Barcode readers can be divided into two types: those for production operators and those for warehouse workers. Below the main features for each barcode readers.

APPLICATIONS OF BARCODE SCANNERS IN OPERATOR TASKS

PRODUCTION CHANGE: Enables the association of a batch with a production machine.
MATERIAL BATCHES: Enables the identification of all materials used in the production batch, allowing the operator to constantly monitor the production of the item.
PRODUCTION QUALITY CONTROLS: Following each machine-initiated quality control, specific checks are conducted within the production batch, tailored by our technical team to the product and customer specifications.
SCRAP RECORDING: We can track the amount of scrap produced by each machine in real time.
MACHINE STOPS: We can always see when the machine is not working and why.
LABEL MAKING: We let operators make unique barcodes for all products.

FUNCTIONALITY OF BARCODE SCANNERS IN WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT

MATERIAL RECEIVING: This process allows us to identify incoming goods within our warehouse, link them to the supplier’s lot or delivery note, and generate a unique barcode to track and manage the received materials internally.
INCOMING GOODS INSPECTION: We check everything we receive to make sure it meets our customer’s standards.
PICKING SHEETS: These give pickers a list of items to collect and where to find them. After scanning each item, the list becomes a delivery note.
STOCK CHECK: Workers can find out how much of each item we have and where it is stored. We use a system that makes sure we use the oldest items first, according to the FIFO standard.
BOM QUERY: We can check the quantity and location of all materials and semi-finished products required for a production batch, always following a FIFO order.
PUT-AWAY: The warehouse worker can place the chosen item in its specific storage slot.
INVENTORY: Provides a continuous update of the status of all goods stored in the warehouse.

CONTINUOUSLY WORKING TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE

The continuous development and implementation of these systems is a testament to our company’s commitment to innovation, quality, and efficiency. However, it is important to acknowledge that these advancements bring forth new challenges and responsibilities, requiring a dedicated and collaborative effort. The Fass staff is dedicated to meeting these challenges and ensuring the ongoing excellence of our operations.

For FASS, sustainability is an essential value, which is why the company is dedicated to daily reducing the environmental impact of its activities. Its commitment to a more responsible future is reflected throughout the entire production cycle: FASS develops green products using recycled materials derived from post-consumer and/or post-production waste, enhances human resources by creating a safe working environment, and optimizes production processes through energy monitoring systems and continuous renewal of its production lines.
An effective environmental management system
To give concrete expression to this commitment, FASS obtained ISO 14001 certification at the end of 2023, operating in a structured manner and in compliance with current regulations. This certification represents an international standard that establishes the requirements for an effective environmental management system, aimed at reducing the impact of corporate activities and promoting continuous improvement of ecological practices.
The certification process began with a preliminary Environmental Analysis, followed by the development of the environmental management system and the related internal Audits. This allowed the identification of critical issues and areas for improvement. After these, the company planned and implemented the necessary actions, which enabled the company to plan and implement the necessary actions, which were completed in a timely and efficient manner. Finally, SGS, an accredited international body, conducted an audit to verify the validity of the implemented system, which was successfully concluded, allowing FASS to obtain the certification.
Through the ISO 14001 standard, all aspects that fall within environmental protection regulations are identified and monitored. Certification supports FASS, attesting to:
• waste reduction
• emission control and reduction
• containment of environmental impacts related to production activities
• adaptability to change
• shared knowledge with all employees
• employee involvement and growth
• increased ability to compete and grow
An ongoing commitment
For FASS, the adoption of an environmental management system certified with the ISO 14001 standard not only ensures the effectiveness of corporate operations in compliance with regulations, but also supports the growth and development of the company and its infrastructures, optimizing performance and reducing environmental impacts. This certification is an important milestone, but not a finish line: we are aware that sustainability is an ongoing journey that requires constant commitment and continuous improvement. FASS’s next goal is to draft its first Sustainability Report, scheduled for the coming months, which will allow the company’s environmental, social and economic impact to be reported in a transparent and measurable manner.

FASS stands as a testament to how local tradition can be seamlessly interwoven with corporate identity and product offerings. For over 50 years, the company has forged a strong collaborative bond with Larciano, maintaining a delicate balance between respect for tradition and openness to innovation.
Roots in Larciano’s Broom-Making Heritage

In the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century, Larciano experienced a remarkable industrial boom centered around broom manufacturing, fueled by the natural resources of the surrounding countryside. In particular, the fertile lands adjacent to the nearby Fucecchio marsh were rich in natural fibers, such as sorghum and millet, which provided the raw material for the production of high-quality brooms, solidifying a manufacturing tradition.

From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Enterprise

Before World War II, Celestino Niccolai, the father of the founder, worked in a sorghum broom factory. After the war, he decided to venture into the business of marketing these brooms. Despite his untimely passing, he instilled in his son Piero a passion for this sector, carrying on the legacy with his wife Romana.
Initially, they dedicated themselves to packaging small cleaning sets for cars and small brooms toys for children in a home office. During the 1960s, a significant industrial district emerged, based on a deep knowledge of the local territory, of which Piero would also become a part, starting with the production of a single broom item through the purchase of a punching machine.

The Birth of FASS: A Commitment to Tradition and Growth

Thus, in 1968, the Piero Niccolai company was born, destined to grow and evolve into FASS, Fabbrica Artigianale Scope e Spazzole (Handicraft Broom and Brush Factory), while maintaining the cornerstone of its connection to Larciano, even during the most significant changes.
A tangible example of this relationship is represented by the expansion of the company’s facilities, which over the years have remained faithfully tied to Larciano. Initially, a first warehouse was built adjacent to Piero’s residence, followed, about thirty years later, by the establishment of FASS 2, a plant for the production of painted handles, located a short distance away. In 1995, with the purchase of an additional building, he founded PLASTIC PRODUCTS, which deals with the molding of plastic components. In the early 2000s, these three entities were united under the FASS S.P.A. brand with the joint construction of a new 32.000 square meter plant, marking a new chapter in the company’s history.

A Deep-Rooted Connection to the Community

Another concrete demonstration of FASS’s attachment to the territory is the intrinsic bond with its community. The company has supported local initiatives to date, ranging from involvement in sporting events to the sponsorship of social projects and initiatives. In addition, stable relationships have been maintained with local Tuscan suppliers, with a significant percentage coming from Larciano. FASS’s workforce has also remained primarily composed of local residents, creating a positive impact not only on the company but also on the community’s well-being.
All of this shows how the company’s growth has remained faithful to its roots, making attachment to the territory one of FASS’s core values.