Marco Prati is the CEO of PLP Systems, an Italian company specialising in the development and manufacture of machinery for liquid and powder handling applications.
Marco studied Mechanical Implementation and Construction in the Province of Piacenza before joining PLP Systems in 2003. The company was founded in 1978 by his father, Antonio Prati. He began his career within the company’s Technical Design and Development department, where he contributed to the introduction of new technologies and product innovations. Working alongside the PLP team, the company expanded its capabilities to provide customised solutions for the dosing, coating and weighing of powders and liquids.
Marco later moved into the Commercial department, where his work over the past decade has focused on the development of PLP’s international commercial network, particularly across Asia, South America and Europe. The company states that this global network continues to expand.
Following the retirement of Antonio Prati in 2013, Marco assumed leadership of the company as Director. Under his management, PLP Systems has continued to emphasise innovation, precision and reliability, while maintaining a focus on developing new technologies and customised engineering solutions for its customers.
- Seeing your father establish PLP Systems in 1978, how did those early experiences shape your interest in engineering, innovation and the petfood and feed processing sector?
I started working at PLP when I was about fourteen, during my summer holidays from school. I did a bit of everything in the workshop, from cleaning tools to grinding, drilling and helping with machine assembly. By the time I was sixteen, with a bit more experience I started travelling locally as a helper for installations in production plants. Those early experiences were really important for me. They helped shape my character and gave me a practical mindset. They also gave me a solid DIY foundation, which comes in handy whenever something needs fixing at home.
After my studies, I joined PLP full time in the technical department, designing and customising machines, and years later I moved into sales and the organisation of the company. Being involved in the feed and petfood sector from such an early stage also gave me a deep familiarity with its specific requirements and how it has evolved over time. I developed a strong appreciation for reliability, efficiency and customisation, values that continue to guide my approach to engineering and innovation.
- As a second-generation entrepreneur, what have been the biggest challenges and risks you have faced while expanding PLP Systems’ presence across international markets?
As a second-generation entrepreneur, one big challenge was earning trust while building on the legacy that came before me. People often assume it comes easily but you still have to prove yourself and take responsibility for the results.
Another major challenge has been expanding into international markets because every country has its own way of doing business. You have to adapt to different cultures, regulations, customer expectations and commercial habits, while still keeping the company’s identity and standards consistent. That means managing a lot of moving parts at the same time.
- Automation and digitalisation are transforming petfood and feed manufacturing. How is PLP integrating smart technologies into its systems?
At PLP, we see automation and digitalisation as important tools to make our systems more precise, reliable and easier to manage. Our approach is very practical: we integrate smart technologies where they bring real value to the customer, especially in dosing, weighing, coating and process control. In this way, we help improve consistency, efficiency and traceability throughout the production process. At the same time, we always try to keep the systems simple and effective, because the real goal is not technology for its own sake but solutions that genuinely improve production and make life easier for the customer.
- Sustainability is becoming increasingly important across the industry. How can machinery manufacturers contribute to more sustainable petfood production?
PLP has always focused on sustainability through technological and customised solutions, even before it became a major topic across the industry. For us, sustainability is about helping customers achieve better production quality, greater accuracy and more efficient use of resources. That means less waste, lower energy consumption, and a more effective production process overall. For example, our coating application uses less than a quarter of the energy required by a vacuum coater, takes up less space and delivers better homogeneity in the final product. In our view, sustainability should always go hand in hand with performance, practicality and real value for the customer.
- From your perspective, what major trends are currently shaping the global petfood manufacturing sector?
Several major trends are shaping the global petfood sector today. First, there is a clear move toward premium, functional and health-focused products, especially for digestion, immunity and overall well-being. At the same time, sustainability, transparency and alternative ingredients are becoming increasingly important, while automation and digitalisation are helping manufacturers improve efficiency, traceability and consistency. In the European and some other markets, which are already well established, the key trend is the need for flexible production, because customer needs are becoming more specialised and demand more tailored solutions with less room for error.
- Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for PLP Systems and its role within the global petfood industry?
My long-term vision for PLP Systems is to continue growing as a trusted partner for the global petfood industry, known for innovation, reliability and tailor-made solutions. I see PLP not just as a machinery supplier but as a company that helps customers improve their production processes in a smarter, more efficient and more sustainable way. Looking ahead, I want PLP to keep expanding internationally while staying true to its core values of quality, flexibility and practical engineering. In a market that is constantly evolving, our role should be to anticipate needs, adapt quickly and create solutions that really add value for our customers.
