This article is sponsored by the Italian Industrial Hub, an Italian Trade Agency initiative responsible for promoting Italian machinery suppliers amongst North American manufacturing businesses.
In 2023, more than 541,300 industrial robots were installed globally, according to the International Federation of Robotics’ “World Robotics 2024 Report.” It was the third year in a row that the installation count exceeded 500,000 units, for a worldwide total of more than 4,281,500 units installed for factory operation. The report notes that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicts accelerated growth in 2025, 2026, and 2027 regarding unit installations.
The United States is the third largest market for these industrial robots, preceded by Japan and China. Of the 2023 installations, only 10% of these newly deployed robots went to companies in the Americas. To help North American companies gain a competitive edge in their markets while promoting Italian manufacturers on the global stage, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) is connecting manufacturers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico with Italian robotics equipment suppliers through its Italian Industrial Hub.
Italy’s Role as a Leader in Industrial Robotics
Robots, cobots, and related technology support precision manufacturing, greater throughput of uniform products, and decreased costs and material waste. Companies can achieve faster, safer, and more efficient production by automating processes — all while reducing their reliance on manual labor for tedious, arduous, or even potentially harmful work.
Italy is a European leader in terms of being a supplier of automation and robotics solutions. The equipment these companies supply automates such processes as picking, handling, palletizing, packing, shearing, and machining.
Italian Trade Agency Initiatives
“Most of today’s manufacturing innovations come about through the mastery of robotics and automation,” says Marco Saladini, director of ITA Toronto. “Italian companies providing this manufacturing technology are front and center in the new industrial revolution, Industry 4.0. Advancements to heavy machinery in the form of information networks, processors, and sensors are allowing these companies to offer cutting-edge equipment solutions that enhance precision and reduce reliance on manual labor.”
“Efficiency and speed are also high priorities for modern manufacturing operations,” adds Marco Verna, Chicago ITA director. “Robotic equipment is one of the key tools for achieving these goals. The Italian government has adopted policies incentivizing the use of new and innovative technologies, and Italian suppliers are passing the benefits of these innovations on to North American businesses in the manufacturing sector, giving them a competitive edge.”
ITA’s network extends to 74 countries worldwide. On Thomasnet, the organization’s Italian Industrial Hub addresses ITA’s main purpose: to help Italian companies thrive by creating mutually beneficial relationships with manufacturing businesses abroad. Using this business directory, North American manufacturers can identify and reach out to potential Italian machinery partners in their industry.
Currently, ITA promotes more than 10,200 Italian machinery manufacturers who participate via its Machines Italia initiative, which is complementary to the Italian Industrial Hub. In operation since 2000, Machines Italia supports companies within 16 of Italy’s leading machinery and technology sectors, including power and motion transmission systems, printing, food technology, earthmoving machinery, glass production, and plastic and rubber machinery.
Each company is different, offering varying degrees of robotic technology to manufacturers across different industries. To introduce the TIU audience to Italian companies specializing in robotic solutions, ITA spoke with four members of these initiatives about their robotic contributions to their markets and the benefits of such technologies for North American clients.
How does your operation utilize robotics for internal processes and/or incorporate such automated technology into the equipment you produce?
Filippo Cortiglioni, area manager at TECNA:
“TECNA has developed a complete range of equipment dedicated to robot welding. Our new generation of robot spot welding guns exceeds customers’ expectations, outperforming any competitor in terms of flexibility, features, and power, all combined together. TECNA guns range from super-light welding guns ready to be integrated on cobots, all the way to one of the most powerful spot welding guns for aluminum welding applications, as well as full robot cells.”
Andrea Bertolaccini, sales director at Roboticom:
“Roboticom faces labor shortages in manual finishing by offering robotic systems such as SandRob. The operations of grinding and polishing several surfaces that nowadays are made manually are instead done automatically with SandRob. Smart programming and an AI-driven robot can do finishing work with a high level of quality and steadiness. We help North American manufacturers that bring back production from low-cost countries but haven’t found people to carry out these hard operations.”
Barbara Mazzoni, legal representative of Mazzoni Srl:
“Our plant is equipped with highly technologically advanced machinery that works in sync with robotic equipment with numerous control systems. Technology supports human resources to improve the quality and performance of products as well as increase safety in the workplace and reduce industrial waste. Mazzoni continuously invests in new technology and robotic equipment using high-quality materials that are capable of guaranteeing the maximum in terms of professionalism, efficiency, and respect for the environment.”
Andrea Alessandrini, CEO of Zambelli Packaging:
“Zambelli is the ideal partner for manufacturers looking to embrace the future of manufacturing: robotics and automation. Today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving manufacturing industry has North American companies facing a growing demand for optimized efficiency, minimized turn times, and sustainable operations without sacrificing quality. Zambelli Packaging offers advanced robotic solutions tailored to our clients’ requirements, integrating seamlessly into existing systems. Our versatile robotic equipment utilizes state-of-the-art technology to elevate secondary packaging processes, reliably handling labor-intensive or repetitive tasks with great speed, accuracy, and efficiency. These products also have real-time performance monitoring, diagnostic, and predictive maintenance capabilities.”
For more information on Italian technology providers and their robotic equipment offerings, visit the Italian Industrial Hub on Thomasnet.com. Discover and experience Italian technology firsthand at Machines Italia events.
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