AAT Oetiker Group

Silvano Ghilardi is a dedicated engineering leader who combines hands-on expertise with strategic vision. As Head of R&D Electronics at AAT Oetiker Group, he works closely with teams in electronics, embedded software and mechanical engineering to drive innovation and solve complex challenges. Previously Head of Hardware at Paytec AG, Silvano learned the value of staying close to work—believing that effective leadership comes from understanding the details and supporting teams from the inside out.

Building Smarter Systems through Hands-On Leadership

When Ghilardi first stepped into the fast-paced world of modern manufacturing at Oetiker Group, he saw more than just machines, systems and workflows—he saw silos. Teams spoke different technical languages. Software struggled to connect with hardware. Insights got lost between departments. And while the need for smarter, more connected fastening systems was clear, the path to get there was anything but. The challenge wasn’t just technical—it was human. To move toward data-driven manufacturing, teams had to work together in ways they hadn’t before. Systems needed to communicate. Processes had to evolve. But above all, leadership needed to change.

That’s precisely what Ghilardi did. For him, leadership doesn’t start in a boardroom—it begins on the floor, in the trenches, where the real work happens. His philosophy is simple: you can’t support what you don’t understand and can’t understand if you’re not involved. So he made it his mission to stay close to the work, listen deeply, and bridge the gaps others had learned to live with. That hands-on mindset led to real innovation. Under Ghilardi’s guidance, Oetiker began reimagining fastening systems not as isolated mechanical components, but as intelligent nodes in a connected network. He led the development of electronic control units that don’t just tighten to spec—they monitor torque in real time, feeding data back into systems for traceability and consistency.

By breaking down silos and building tools that speak across disciplines, Ghilardi helps Oetiker’s customers move confidently into the future. Manufacturing becomes smarter. Teams move faster. And complexity dissolves.

Transforming Production Constraints into Opportunities

Modern manufacturers are increasingly tasked with doing more using fewer resources—be it time, materials or labour. The demands of reducing waste, minimising rework and increasing efficiency create real operational challenges. Production processes risk becoming inefficient if they rely solely on traditional methods without deeper insight into daily operations, particularly at the point of assembly.

Ghilardi confronts these challenges by introducing intelligence directly into the assembly process. His approach centres on developing systems that are both modular and scalable—ensuring they can adapt as production needs evolve. These systems are designed to provide actionable insights by integrating data directly into predictive workflows, which helps manufacturers anticipate and address issues before they escalate.

Under his leadership at AAT Oetiker Group, practical and collaborative methods replace reactive, piecemeal solutions. By staying closely involved with the work, Ghilardi creates a connection between operational processes and technological tools. This careful alignment not only aids in minimising resource waste but also promotes smoother, more transparent production lines.

In summary, Ghilardi’s balanced, hands-on approach—centred on understanding the people and the process—helps manufacturers move from simply coping with constraints to actively managing them for improved outcomes.