Luca Gandino

Business Black Belt (BBB) is an international strategic consulting firm that applies a proprietary, science-based methodology to strategy and problem solving. Rooted in martial arts principles and the Art of War, BBB delivers a distinctive and actionable approach to business transformation.

As founder and CEO, I have worked with leading organizations including Gucci, Lavazza, Citibanamex, SKF, Novartis, and Sanofi, supporting them in areas such as strategic clarity, leadership alignment, and operational efficiency. BBB serves top-tier clients across banking, pharmaceuticals, fashion, automation, and academia, providing high-impact guidance through workshops, executive coaching, and advisory engagements.

Appointed to lead ATS Automation Mexico, then a near start-up operation, where I oversaw a full-scale transformation of the business.
Scaled billable technical staff from 8 to 200 and increased turnover from $8 million to $50 million within 18 months, primarily through U.S.-based project execution supported by a newly built local talent base.
Restarted a stalled $8M powertrain project with Magna, previously blocked due to lack of local support capabilities, and turned it into a showcase of operational reliability.
Launched an intensive hiring, training, and upskilling program for local mechatronics engineers, introducing a proprietary A-B-C classification system to evaluate and grow competencies in technical skill, leadership, and language.
Founded an internal training academy, offering tailored technical programs, English instruction, and leadership development — ensuring readiness for high-spec international projects.
Initiated a strategic acquisition search targeting a $7M Mexican robotic cell manufacturer to expand ATS's capabilities and footprint.

Oversaw all international business operations for the organization outside of Russia, leading key education and cultural projects across Dubai, Syria, Indonesia, Germany, and Mongolia.
Established and managed joint ventures and partnerships with prominent government institutions, including Damascus University, Ruskiy Mir Foundation, and the Ministries of Education of Syria and the Russian Federation.
Directed the development of branch universities in multiple countries, from strategic planning through implementation.
These initiatives led to a 30% increase in student enrollment across all international branches, significantly expanding the university's global footprint and influence.

Led the launch of the OTP (Other Tobacco Products) 'snus' category in the Russian market as the operational lead of the joint venture between Philip Morris International and Swedish Match, the world’s leading snus producer.
Oversaw the entire JV operation in Russia, with a key focus on building alignment between the two parent companies, resolving strategic friction, and laying the foundation for a long-term market approach.
Reported directly to a high-level Board of Directors, comprising the CEOs and CFOs of both Philip Morris and Swedish Match, reflecting the project's strategic significance.
Successfully introduced snus through a focused go-to-market strategy, including consumer education, trial marketing, and awareness campaigns, paving the way for regulatory engagement and early adoption in a complex, highly regulated market.

Appointed General Manager of Comau Mexico, with full responsibility for a complex operation encompassing Sales, Engineering, Design, Manufacturing, Integration, Installation, Commissioning, After-Sales, and HR — overseeing 800 employees and $85M in sales. Simultaneously continued to support operations in Comau Russia.

Achieved a 34% increase in turnover, driven by operational improvements, client expansion, and strategic project wins.
Negotiated and secured a $25 million contract with Mexico’s largest Tier 1 automotive supplier within just five months — a cross-border project involving manufacturing in Mexico and installation in the U.S., where my intercultural expertise proved key.
Led the full relocation of the company’s manufacturing facility: defined requirements, selected the new site, negotiated terms, and executed the move without disruption.
Reorganized the underperforming Service department, successfully renegotiating terms with Comau’s top client in Monterrey by introducing aggressive KPIs tied to machinery efficiency and uptime — ultimately saving the relationship.
After inheriting a broken partnership with Chrysler that had barred Comau Mexico from its facilities, I rebuilt the relationship from scratch, resulting in renewed business opportunities and restored access — with a personal open-door policy granted to me.

Held General Management authority for Comau Russia, overseeing all operations including sales, manufacturing, and service during one of the most challenging periods in the company’s history. Took over amid the 2009 global financial crisis, with the Russian automotive market in steep decline and Comau Russia facing over €35 million in unpaid projects and virtually no sales.
Led a successful turnaround, recovering all outstanding receivables and securing major new customers, increasing sales to over €80 million.
Drove an internal reorganization, shifting to a more agile, sales-focused structure — positioning the company to be shortlisted for a €115 million welding project with a major Russian OEM.
Managed government relations at the highest level, negotiating a favorable resolution to a legal dispute backed by the Ministry of Economic Development, earning recognition from both Russian authorities and Italian diplomats.
In parallel, served as Worldwide Business Development Director for the Robotics Division, where I built and led a global team tasked with expanding the robotics business into new markets beyond Comau’s traditional client base.

Led the reorganization of commercial operations across Russia and the CIS region, overseeing all product lines for Swedish Match, including lights and tobacco, with total sales of approximately $40 million.
Managed a geographically diverse structure comprising direct offices in Slovenia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Hungary, and Poland, as well as representative offices and distributor partnerships in Russia, Ukraine, and other CIS countries.
Directed SKU development, strategic planning, and execution of marketing campaigns, while personally handling negotiations with key accounts.
Initiated and led a commercial due diligence of the Russian distributor, evaluating its readiness for potential acquisition and full integration.

Transformed Swedish Match Mexico from an underperforming operation into a thriving business, growing turnover from $2 million to $30 million over six years. Held full general management authority for national sales operations, with a strong focus on turnaround strategy and market re-entry.
Achieved a landmark regulatory breakthrough by successfully lobbying to overturn protectionist laws that had blocked the importation of matches — making Swedish Match the first company legally allowed to import matches into Mexico.
Expanded market reach and cost efficiency by forming a strategic alliance with a major chocolate producer, enabling broader distribution and enhanced supply chain integration.

Led the successful introduction of two new product lines — cigars and pipe tobacco — in the Brazilian market, overseeing all commercial responsibilities for Swedish Match’s operations in the country, including the existing lights (lighters and matches) portfolio. Although formally Deputy Commercial Director, I operated as the de facto Commercial Director, as the official role was acting as General Director for the region.
Managed and mobilized a national sales force of 90 representatives, driving the development and implementation of new marketing and distribution strategies. Secured internal alignment and field-level execution by building strong buy-in across the organization for these new categories.

Successfully introduced the 'lights' product line to the U.S. market by leading a major reorganization of the sales force and commercial activities. Enhanced sales productivity and ensured alignment with evolving retail strategies, particularly in stores implementing category management. Secured supplier acceptance with key national accounts through the rollout of new sales procedures. Traveled extensively across the U.S. to oversee implementation, support the field teams, and ensure consistent execution at store level.

Collaborated closely with the M&A Manager during the early phases of multiple international acquisitions, as the Match Division expanded its footprint through the purchase of factories in Bulgaria, Indonesia, India, and Turkey. Led the post-acquisition alignment of local operations and sales networks, ensuring market readiness and commercial integration. Played a key role in modernizing the Bulgarian facility, formerly state-owned under a communist model, successfully transitioning it to meet international performance and efficiency standards.