Ma-Ve / SR Mecatronic

New products for new markets

Their new management is planning a decisive programme of development for the SR Mecatronic and Ma-Ve brands, with investments to expand their product range and open up new markets

Words Renato Antonini - photo Enrico Bona

The two companies, themselves already well-established in the accessories market, now have a new owner: in 2021, SR Mecatronic and Ma-Ve were acquired by Itago Partners. A year after the acquisition, the first effects of the new management are becoming evident. Growth in 2022 is forecast to exceed 20%. SR Mecatronic was established in 2009, whereas Ma-Ve was founded in 2015. Both companies have always worked in the RV accessories market. In 2021, a majority share in both companies was acquired by Itago Partners, a private equity company dedicated to acquiring Italian family business manufacturers with a turnover of 10 to 100M€ and a high potential for growth in the international marketplace.

Investments in growth

“SR Mecatronic and Ma-Ve now constitute a global network,” says Claudia Iovinelli, Managing Dircetor of Ma-ve International Srl and Sales & Marketing Director for the SR Mecatronic group, “with a solid position in Europe and New Zealand. The arrival of a strong investor means we can move forward with our development plans for Australia and North America, with products designed specifically for their markets. We are looking forward to constant double digit growth of our YoY turnover.” The company currently designs and makes three categories of product in-house: parabolic satellite antennas, roof-mounted air conditioners and hydraulic levelling kits. Very different products, but all with a common aim: to make RV holidays as comfortable as possible. The SR Mecatronic group has two plants, one close to Bologna (Italy) and the other in the Republic of San Marino, with four active production lines. In recent times, their workforce has grown by 30% and now amounts to 40 people. The SR Mecatronic group has its own design department, and reinvests around 7% of annual turnover into R&D. SR Mecatronic is investing in the implementation of

an ESG programme, and is also actively working towards obtaining a variety of ISO certifications. “We are working to achieve high levels of environmental and social sustainability,” says Claudia Iovinelli, “and we are also continuously dedicating resources to improving our quality standards.”

Production and sales

The SR Mecatronic group has production and sales operations on three levels. First off, under the SR Mecatronic and Ma-Ve brands, part of the production of parabolic antennas, air conditioners and levelling systems is placed on the market via the major RV industry distribution chains. Then there is the private label operation: the SR Mecatronic group produces to order for other companies, making products that are marketed under third party brand names. They are known for their customisation capacity, which enables them to adapt their products to suit the client’s needs. The third level consists in marketing third party products under SR Mecatronic brands: thanks to these collaborations with well-established partners, they sell solar panels, TVs, inverters, lithium batteries and emergency starter boosters. “Our companies are founded on the passion and know-how of Italian manufacturing and our constant partnership with RV users,” says Claudia Iovinelli, Managing Director of Ma-Ve International, “but now we have become part of a group with strong plans for development, plans based on large investments and on the guidance of management drawn from international companies.”

Designed and made in-house

The core business of the SR Mecatronic group are the three lines of products it develops and manufactures in-house: the satellite antennas are accessories for campervans, a segment in which SR Mecatronic started working in 2009, after which it introduced its hydraulic levelling kits and in 2021 its air conditioners.

• Satellite antennas With a 3 year warranty, SR Mecatronic antennas are designed to offer unbeatable reliability and long service life. The mechanical assembly is made with powder coated aluminium die-castings, using a worm screw drive in carbonitrided steel and bronze pinions. The lifting and aiming motor is of the automotive type and the electronics are based on the DVB-S2 MP4 Full HD tuner, a high performance unit with excellent sensitivity and bandwidth. SR Mecatronic satellite antennas are available in a variety of versions, with parabolas measuring 65, 68, 80, 85 and 90 cm. The antenna can also be controlled using a smartphone app.

• Levelling kit The catalogue contains hydraulic levelling cylinders compatible with a wide range of chassis. The kit consists of four lifting cylinders with wide feet in stainless steel, a 12 V hydraulic power pack and a hand pump for raising the cylinder in emergencies. There is also a control panel which installs in the interior, with the option of connection to a smartphone app for remote control Levelling can be done manually or automatically.

• SR MECair. Powered at 230 V, the SR MECair roof-mounted air conditioning unit features a very low profile indoors diffuser (just 35 mm deep). The diffuser is not only stylish, but also has a highly effective distribution system which assures a uniform, comfortable flow. If so desired, the user can direct the flow of air into the area around the conditioner itself, thus creating an “air shower” effect. The SR MECair also has UV filters and a chromotherapy system integrated into the diffuser. Available in two versions rated 1700 and 2200 W, it is very lightweight, weighing under 30 kg including the diffuser.