From Fiber to Future Energy
Interview with Gianluca Limatola, General Manager
As Europe accelerates the expansion of digital infrastructure and renewable energy, companies that combine technical expertise with strategic foresight are shaping the transformation. SIAT Installazioni S.p.A., headquartered in Ariccia, Italy, has been active in telecommunications and energy infrastructure for more than 40 years. Under the leadership of General Manager Gianluca Limatola, the company has evolved into a national player with about 600 employees, a turnover of 90 million EUR and a growing focus on renewable energy and data centers.
European Business: Mr. Limatola, SIAT Installazioni has a long history. What have been the key milestones in the company’s development?
Gianluca Limatola: SIAT has been operating in the telecommunications sector for over 40 years. In recent years, we have been particularly involved in the rollout of fiber-optic infrastructure for FTTH networks. A major driver has been the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which has financed significant investments in telecommunications and energy infrastructure. In parallel, we have strengthened our position in the energy sector, working on electricity distribution networks and large photovoltaic installations. Diversification has been a crucial milestone for us.
European Business: Your customers are mainly public entities?
Gianluca Limatola: Yes, predominantly. In telecommunications, we work with major national operators such as FiberCop and Open Fiber. In energy, our customers include key distribution network operators and large utility groups. We are also active for major photovoltaic developers and in the transport infrastructure sector, working for motorway operators and public road authorities. Our focus is clearly on national large-scale clients in Italy.
European Business: How did you experience the recent crises, including the pandemic and the energy crisis?
Gianluca Limatola: Diversification was decisive. The crises highlighted how important it is not to rely on a single sector. We expanded further into energy and renewables, where we see long-term opportunities. Telecommunications will remain important, but after the completion of PNRR projects, the mix of activities will shift. In the future, energy and renewable projects will likely represent a larger share of our portfolio.
European Business: Sustainability is closely linked to renewable energy. What does sustainability mean for SIAT?
Gianluca Limatola: Sustainability is not just a business field for us, it is also a commitment. We are implementing photovoltaic systems for our own facilities and are gradually converting our vehicle fleet from traditional fuels to electric vehicles. We want to align our internal processes with the same standards we deliver to our customers.
European Business: How do you position the company in the market and attract new customers?
Gianluca Limatola: Traditionally, we have worked with a small number of large clients. Going forward, we aim to broaden our customer base. Digital marketing and online visibility play an increasingly important role in this strategy. We see potential not only in strengthening existing relationships but also in opening up new segments.
European Business: Skilled labor shortages are a major issue across Europe. How do you address this challenge?
Gianluca Limatola: The shortage of qualified personnel is one of our biggest challenges. After the pandemic, we experienced considerable turnover. We have intensified recruitment via digital platforms such as LinkedIn and cooperate with employment agencies for selection and training. At the same time, we are working on strengthening our welfare policies to improve employee satisfaction and retention. For a company of our size, people are the key factor.
European Business: What major trends do you see shaping the future of your industry?
Gianluca Limatola: Digitalization of processes and the productive use of artificial intelligence are unavoidable. We need to increase organizational efficiency and remain technologically up to date. Another key topic is the development of data centers. In Italy and across Europe, this sector is expanding rapidly, and we intend to position ourselves in this field, leveraging our expertise in infrastructure and energy. At the same time, we are evaluating potential expansion into other European markets such as Germany and France. If the right opportunities arise, we are ready to take that step. Infrastructure projects are closely linked to technological evolution – if you stand still, you fall behind. Our goal is to anticipate developments, diversify intelligently and respond proactively to market changes.