Special
Top Italian companies focused on export
ALL REGIONS DIFFER DIVISION BETWEEN THE RICH INDUSTRIAL NORTH AND CENTRE AND A MORE AGRICULTURAL SOUTH Broadly speaking, you can divide the Republic of Italy into the richer industrial north and the more agricultural south. The country also includes two bigger islands, Sicily and Sardinia, and some smaller islands. This land of over 60 million people also joins mainland Europe via the massif of the Alps. Italy plays a major economic part within Europe and is a member of the G7. In 2018, it had the world’s eighth biggest economy and, together with France, is now one of the biggest exporters of luxury products in the world.
Economy and forestry The Italian economy has European dimensions: agricultural products (e.g. oil, fruit, balsamic vinegar, cheese, and pasta), industrial products (e.g. cars), clothes (second in the world), and services, especially tourism. Italy is the fourth biggest power in Europe, with a gross domestic product of 1.75 billion euros. In terms of forestry, Italy isn’t such an impressive player, although about 23% of Italy’s surface area comprises woods, which are used for wood and fuel provision. 60% of Italian woods are located in Northern and Central Italy. The other 40% are found in Southern Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia. For hundreds of years the country was deforested on a large scale, but now there is new plantation which has to offset the erosion. Real wood regions include Trentino-Alto Adige and Lombardy.
The centre of Italy is a dynamic region of Europe with innovative SMEs in family structures and strong trade unions. The urban network consists of medium-sized cities which combine historical heritage with industrial and traditional activity zones (e.g. fabrics, cars, and haute couture). The North and Bologna affect the Adriatic wall of the Marche, but it’s more the Florentine pool (Florence, Prato, and Pistoia) associated partly with the Port of Livorno and partly with Rome, which dominate the centre. Southern Italy (or Mezzogiorno) is a more rural and poorer region. It has enjoyed government support and support from the European Union to finance an efficient road network and install industrial ports. This had consequences for internal emigration from the South to the North-West. Molise and Abruzzen have grown more strongly than the South-West of Italy. Puglia is an equally dynamic region. It is the second largest plain in Italy, so, apart from tourist activities, it also offers intensive agricultural activities. The region has major ports in Taranto, Bari, and Brindisi.
TOVER
Italy has a long tradition of high-quality production and commercial dynamism. Even today, its economy is driven by entrepreneurial dynamism, with major industrial groups such as Fiat, Olivetti, Mapei, Fincantieri, Prysmian, Saipem, or Benetton, public companies which are largely privatised such as Eni, Enel, and Leonardo, and a close network of small and medium enterprises. Most companies and the networks of dynamic SMEs are located in the centre and north of Italy. The MilanGenoa-Turin industrial triangle is part of the European megalopolis. What is noticeable with the SMEs is that you find them in diversified sectors such as the textile, leather, metal, and mechanical industries. Italy is the second biggest producer and exporter of machine tools after Germany.
Economic regions Italy is witnessing strong differences in development between regions. According to the National Institute of Statistics (Istat), the GDP of the southern regions and the islands (Sardinia and Sicily) in 2019 was only half that of the north-western regions of the country. You can divide Italy into four regions which vary greatly in economic development. The North-West, the ‘Economic Triangle’, belongs to the economic heart of Europe. This region concentrates the major heavy industrial activities and is organised around the three big cities Milan, Turin, and Genoa. The North-East has the highest concentration of SMEs in Europe. Medium-sized cities like Verona, Padua, Venice, Mestre, Triëst, Modena, Parma, and Bologna provide the urban fabric. Two big ports (Venice and Triëst) operate heavy industry and ship building and offer a market for local industries.
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Export sales represent 50% of Tover's total turnover; how could you explain the success of this Italian SME? A wide range of products, consistent high quality, innovative solutions with low environmental impact. We can come up with other reasons such as the shortest possible supply chain, the use of solar energy to power the manufacturing process and a well-structured marketing action plan. All these elements are of course fundamental for the development of a company, but what differentiates and gratifies us the most is the attention we give to the specific needs of our partners on their own markets, the importance of the customer’s follow-up and care and finally the strong sense of belonging to a close-knit team moving forward towards a common goal. +39 (0) 11 779 28 23 info@tover.com / www.tover.com
