The Rebirth of Oms Sordella: A Story of Entrepreneurial Resilience

In a province in Italy, a metalworking company with a rich 60-year history is facing a challenging period due to a complex generational transition. Oms Sordella di Marene, the company in question, is at a crossroads as the current owner, Guido Sordella, grapples with managing the business alone after the passing of his brother and with no family members interested in taking over.

Despite receiving offers from large groups and foreign funds to buy the company, Guido Sordella has chosen to explore a different path to ensure the continuity of the business. Inspired by the success story of Pirinoli, a paper mill owned by its workers, Sordella and his employees are considering a workers buyout in the form of a cooperative.

The employees of Oms Sordella see the cooperative model as the best option for the future, as it allows them to transition from workers to entrepreneurs while preserving the company’s legacy and expertise. With the support of the 2i3T business incubator and approval from mutual funds, the workers are confident in their ability to successfully acquire and run the company.

This innovative approach to ownership transition is not only a solution for Oms Sordella but also a potential model for other businesses facing similar challenges in the region. The workers buyout, guided by Legacoop, represents a new chapter for the company and a beacon of hope for preserving jobs and professional skills in the face of generational transitions and economic uncertainties.