Cable Protection with a Sustainable Approach
Interview with Antonio Fortunati, Managing Director of Tubifor Srl
Whether it’s residential, commercial, or industrial - electrical installations require the highest level of safety and quality. Tubifor SRL from Buonabitacolo, Italy, combines cutting-edge technology with sustainable materials to offer innovative cable protection solutions. With certified products and a clear focus on eco-friendliness, the company sets standards in the industry. Wirtschaftsforum spoke with Managing Director Antonio Fortunati about innovation, sustainability, and expansion plans.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Fortunati, can you give us an overview of the development of Tubifor from its foundation to today?
Antonio Fortunati: The company was founded by me in 1980. As a trained electrical engineer, I had a clear vision from the start: to supply the market for cable protection pipes with high-quality, safe, and durable products. Over the years, we have continuously expanded our range and today we produce a wide variety of cable protection pipes with diameters from 16 to 200 mm – for residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. A central part of our development was the early adaptation to the highest European safety standards. Therefore, our products carry prestigious certifications such as VDE (Germany), IMQ (Italy), and NF (France), which guarantee our customers that our protection pipes meet the highest standards in various application areas.
Wirtschaftsforum: Which products are particularly in focus?
Antonio Fortunati: Our classic TF0 1 protective tube with a pressure resistance of 750 Newton remains our best-selling product in Italy. However, the future lies in sustainable materials and environmentally friendly solutions. That’s why we are heavily investing in our ICTA protective tube, which is halogen-free and does not release toxic gases in the event of a fire. This tube meets the growing requirements for sustainable construction and is increasingly used in public buildings and large projects. We are convinced that this product will gain even greater importance in the coming years as builders and architects increasingly focus on environmentally friendly solutions. It is currently the most requested corrugated tube in the Nordic countries and in some countries a version is required that goes beyond the requirements of European regulations, which we manufacture, our ICTM.
Wirtschaftsforum: Speaking of sustainability – what measures is Tubifor taking in this area?
Antonio Fortunati: Sustainability is essential for us. In addition to developing environmentally friendly products, we rely on a circular economy: production waste is recycled and reused. Furthermore, we already operate photovoltaic systems for our own power generation and plan to expand our capacities to make our production even more energy-efficient. Our goal is to continue reducing the company's carbon footprint in the coming years.
Wirtschaftsforum: What does Tubifor's market strategy look like? Are you also active internationally?
Antonio Fortunati: We are active both in the Italian market and internationally. Our main markets are Germany, France, and Switzerland, where our products are particularly in demand. Currently, exports account for about 30%, and we plan to focus on expanding further into Europe in the coming years. Specifically in Germany and France, we see great potential as these markets set high quality and environmental standards that match our portfolio perfectly. In North Africa, such as in countries like Libya or Algeria, we are also present, but the focus is clearly on Europe and its growth potential.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role do digitization and automation play for your company?
Antonio Fortunati: We have embraced automation early on and invested in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities to make our production processes even more precise, faster, and sustainable. Artificial intelligence will undoubtedly gain importance in the coming years, but we approach it with some caution. Technology should support people, not replace them. Personal exchange with customers and partners remains essential for us.
Wirtschaftsforum: What are you working towards when it comes to future projects?
Antonio Fortunati: Our main goal is to significantly expand our production capacity. We have already purchased adjacent land to expand our infrastructure. Additionally, we are working intensively on developing new, even more sustainable protective tubes to continuously improve our offerings. Our focus is on integrating innovative materials and technologies into our production to optimally meet both environmental standards and technical requirements.
Wirtschaftsforum: Where do you see Tubifor in five to ten years?
Antonio Fortunati: Our long-term vision is to establish ourselves as one of the leading specialists for sustainable electrical protective tubes in Europe. Quality, innovation, and environmental awareness are the three central pillars of our strategy, which will accompany us on this path. We aim not only to be the market leader in our field but also to serve as a model for sustainable business practices.