List of the 200 largest mechanical engineering companies Italy [2023]

List of 3 large mechanical engineering companies in Italy

The Italian mechanical engineering industry is traditionally one of the most important in Europe. Mechanical engineering in Italy is mainly characterized by the strong food industry, which has given rise to a large number of manufacturers of packaging machinery and filling equipment. However, the sector of Italian machine builders is also internationally recognized beyond this, as illustrated by the following presentation of three major companies in the industry.

1. SACMI IMOLA S.C.

One of the most important machinery and equipment manufacturers in the country is SACMI, founded in 1919. The company develops solutions for processing ceramics, plastics, food and beverages, and other materials. For example, it produces filling and packaging machines for the food industry that are used all over the world. SACMI operates in 26 countries worldwide and generated more than EUR 1.8 billion in sales in 2022. The group employs nearly 5,000 people, with a total of 70 companies belonging to the SACMI Group. SACMI is headquartered in Imola, a city in the metropolitan province of Bologna, assigned to the Emilia-Romagna region. In Germany, the SACMI Group has its branch in Würselen in North Rhine-Westphalia.

2. Coesia S.p.A.

With group sales of more than EUR 1.8 billion, the Bologna-based Coesia Group brings together numerous machine builders in the industrial equipment and packaging machinery sectors. One of these companies is GDM S.p.A., which is one of the world leaders in the field of machines for packaging disposable hygiene products. The company, based in Offanengo in the province of Cremona (Lombardy region), produces machines for processing and packaging baby, feminine and adult diapers and sanitary towels, making it part of the strong tissue paper industry in Italy. The company from northern Italy employs around 330 people worldwide and has already installed more than 550 machines. This makes GDM a good example of the medium-sized machinery and equipment manufacturers from Italy that are strongly represented in our list.

3. IMA – Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.

IMA is a company from Ozzano Dell’Emilia, which is also located in the metropolitan city of Bologna. In general, most of the Italian machine builders on our list are from the Emilia-Romagna region. IMA specializes in the development of industrial and packaging equipment for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, and tea and coffee sectors, and could achieve sales of EUR 1.7 billion in 2021. The group has a global presence in about 80 countries and has a total of 54 plants in Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland and other countries. With 6,900 employees, the group is not only one of the largest machine builders in Italy, but also in the whole of Europe.

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The Italian machinery industry at a glance

The mechanical engineering sector in Italy is clearly one of the most important industries in the entire country. Italy is not only the land of the Dolce Vita, but for decades mechanical engineering development and the production of complete plants have been highly relevant for a number of industries. These include in particular the automotive sector, food processing, textiles or energy. Design meets state-of-the-art innovation here. However, global competition and technological change not only bring enormous potential and opportunities to light, but also various risks. However, the Italian mechanical engineering industry always seems to find the right solutions and is therefore an important backbone of the Italian economy.

Industries of the machine builders from Italy

The mechanical engineering industry has an enormous range. In the following, we present some typical areas of mechanical engineering and name Italian companies active in each segment.

Machine tools

Machine tools are true machine classics, including for example CNC machines, lathes, bending machines or milling machines. In Italy, players such as PRIMA INDUSTRIE S.p.A. (Turin) or Camozzi Group S.p.A. from Milan, among others, are important cornerstones.

Stone working machines

Stone working machines and stone processing machines occupy a very relevant position in the Italian industry. BIESSE S.P.A. from Pesaro sees itself as a heavyweight here and is – besides stone – also active in the glass and woodworking machinery sector.

Packaging machines

Without packaging machines, many things would not be possible: whether food, pharmaceutical products or building materials, practically every sector is linked to the packaging industry. In Italy, Körber Tissue S.p.A. from Lucca (Tuscany) is a clear world market leader.

Food processing machinery

A very special place in Italy – the land of pasta, olive oil and the like – is occupied by the food and luxury food industry. As a result, a number of well-known manufacturers of food processing machinery also come from Italy. Among them is SACMI IMOLA S.C., whose range is huge: complete filling lines and various machines for the ceramics, plastics, food and beverage industries are manufactured in Imola.

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These segments are covered by our list

• Machine tool manufacturers (CNC machines, welding machines, lathes, milling machines, woodworking machines, etc.)
• Construction machinery (excavators, wheel loaders, dumpers, special machinery, mixing plants, compactors etc.)
• Production and industrial equipment (bottling plants, food production equipment, conveying and processing systems, etc.)
• Packaging machines, textile machines, testing machines, agricultural machines, automation systems, 3D printing, special machine construction and many more

Picture source: Globelet Reusable via Unsplash (10.08.2023)