The Italian Machinery and Mechatronics industry is among the most competitive and cutting-edge industries in Europe. In fact, Italy can count on an extended network of specialized industrial clusters, outstanding R&D centers, a flourishing startup ecosystem, and a committed workforce offering top-level expertise and high technology cross-sectoral solutions (Invitalia Report 2023).

KEY FIGURES IN MACHINERY & MECHATRONICS INDUSTRY

Italy ranks 1st in Europe by number of enterprises, nosting more than 60,000 local units. Additionally, the Italian machinery and mechatronics industry is 3rd in Europe by percentage of turnover (it accounts for 9% of national turnover with €251 billion), and it generates an added value of €70 billion and an export value of €148 billion.

KEY SEGMENTS: MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Italy hosts more than 18,000 enterprises, ranking 1st among European countries by number of M&E companies. The Italian industry also ranks 2nd in Europe by added value (€ 34 bln), workforce and export value.

ROBOTICS

The Italian excellence in Machinery and Mechatronics has made the country one of the world leaders in the Robotics industry.

The latest key figures as well as the international rankings show that Italy is not only a highly dynamic market, but also a world-class ecosystem of innovation in Robotics.

MICROELECTRONICS

In Italy, the microelectronics industry is characterized by a network of enterprises carrying out manufacturing as well as research activities of semiconductors, operating at the support of key technology leading sectors such as ICT, automotive, robotics, and energy.

Italy is among the European leading countries by number of enterprises specialized in electronic components & boards.

TALENT POOL

At the top tables by number of graduates in Engineering, Italy offers one of the best talent pools in Europe.

Boasting an excellent academic system thanks to cutting-edge university courses in engineering fields that are offered throughout the country, Italy counts on high-skilled professionals able to face new challenges and to enhance and create know-how. In particular, the workforce is made up of more than 995,000 people, with more than 40,000 graduates every year in M&M-related disciplines, i.e., Industrial engineering, Mechanical engineering, Electronic engineering, Materials engineering and Nanotechnology, Computer engineering.

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

In Italy, national and foreign companies can exploit robust and dynamic synergies among research centers, universities, clusters, technological parks, and startup incubators, contributing to the further development of the outstanding Italian innovation ecosystem.

UNIVERSITIES AND SPECIALISED R&D INSTITUTIONS

As a proof of the excellence of Italian universities, a remarkable ranking of some of them:

- 2nd in EU in Engineering and Technology, Polytechnic of Milan

- 8th in EU in Engineering and Technology, Polytechnic of Turin

- 18th in EU in Mechanical Engineering, La Sapienza University

- 25th in EU in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, University of Bologna

Italy boasts an extensive network of leading-edge institutions carrying out world-class R&D activities. The two main public R&D institutions are:

• The National Research Council (CNR), the largest public research institution in Italy, is the only one under the Research Ministry performing multidisciplinary activities.

• The Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), which consists of 11 centers throughout Italy and 2 outstations in the USA in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University.

NATIONAL COMPETENCE CENTERS – 8 specialized hubs, which are the result of public-private partnerships, supporting companies in the adoption of smart technologies, through different services, such as Training, Testing, Technology scouting and Project funding.

Sources: Invitalia Report 2023 on Istat, Eurostat, UNCTAD data; Nace Rev. 2; C 28 Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c.; Fondazione UCIMU; World Robotics Report IFR; NACE Code C 26.1 Manufacture of electronic components and boards; OECD; MIUR (Ministry of Education University and Research); QS Rankings (2023)