50 Years, One Mission: Engineering That Truly Matters
Interview with Silvia Ferrari, CFO&Board Member; Fabrizio Vitali, Sales Manager and Giorgia Ferrari, Commercial Manager at Forain S.r.l.
In a volatile world shaped by energy transitions, political tensions, and supply chain disruptions, engineering resilience has become more crucial than ever. Forain s.r.l., based in Milan, Italy, has been delivering that resilience since 1975. Originally founded as a manufacturer of filtration components, the company has grown into a specialist provider of modular systems and turnkey plants for the oil and gas industry – both onshore and offshore. Over nearly five decades, the company has steadily built a reputation for technical excellence, reliability, and a hands-on, client-centric approach that continues to define its identity in a rapidly changing global market.
European Business: How did the company evolve from its beginnings into what it is today?
Silvia Ferrari: Forain was founded in 1975 by our father and uncle, the Ferrari brothers, originally as a manufacturer of gas filtration components. It all started with gas filtration and separation. Over time, we added gas heaters, metering systems, and later expanded into complete skid-mounted units. By the early 2000s, we moved towards full EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) projects – delivering civil works, commissioning, and on-site training. Today, we support our customers with everything from design to after-sales service, ensuring long-term operability of our systems.
European Business: What is your main target market?
Giorgia Ferrari: Our primary targets are major EPC contractors operating worldwide in the oil and gas industry. We’re proud to be registered in the vendor lists of many of them, which facilitates our involvement in large-scale projects. Depending on the scope, we also supply private customers who require individual components. However, most of our business comes from turnkey solutions for complex systems. Export with italian and international customers makes up about 90 to 95% of our total revenue, with key markets in North Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
European Business: How did you experience recent global disruptions like the pandemic and rising material costs?
Fabrizio Vitali: The pandemic was a challenge, especially logistically and organizationally. As an SME, we had to quickly adapt to remote workflows while keeping essential production moving. Some key projects were allowed to continue under special authorization. Rising material and transport costs in recent years were mitigated by good supplier relationships and client trust. Our long-standing financial solidity has helped us stay resilient during these times.
European Business: What would you consider Forain’s unique selling points?
Silvia Ferrari: Flexibility, definitely. We’re able to adjust quickly to client needs, which is a huge advantage in complex projects. But also our technical expertise – our engineers are involved from design through to installation. That means knowledge from the field flows back into new developments. We also invest in younger talents, offering them a broader view of the full project lifecycle.
European Business: Sustainability is a growing topic across industries. How do you approach it?
Giorgia Ferrari: We aim to reduce environmental impact by selecting materials with lower carbon footprints, optimizing energy consumption in our skid systems, and ensuring long lifespans through robust engineering. In recent projects, we’ve integrated energy recovery systems and solar-powered components. But sustainability also means economic and operational durability.
European Business: What are your long-term goals and what motivates you personally?
Fabrizio Vitali: Our focus is on sustainable growth without losing our identity. We want to continue being a trusted engineering partner and maintain our reputation in turnkey gas systems. That means staying agile, deepening our technical capabilities, and strengthening local presence through agents and subsidiaries – especially in emerging markets like North Africa and Asia.
Giorgia Ferrari: Personally, I am driven by curiosity and the desire to keep improving – both professionally and as a team. We want Forain to remain a place where people grow together and create solutions that matter.
Silvia Ferrari: It’s about creating value that lasts and partnerships that make a difference – technically, environmentally, and in terms of customer relationships. We want to be part of something meaningful and forward-looking.