Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Ruffinelli, what are the milestones that shape the history of UmbraGroup?

Alessio Ruffinelli: Our roots go back to 1972. At that time, mainly ball bearings were produced. In the late 1970s, ball screws were added. A crucial step was the management buyout in 1993 under the leadership of Valter Baldaccini, whereby the company became entirely Italian-owned. Since the 1990s, we have consistently implemented our internationalization strategy. The expansion began with the acquisition of a plant in Germany (1996) and continued with market entry into the USA (1999). Today, we operate ten locations worldwide, including two in Germany and two in the USA.

Wirtschaftsforum: What products are at the heart of your business activities?

Alessio Ruffinelli: Our portfolio includes ball screws, bearings, electric motors, and electromechanical actuators. We are experiencing strong growth in the area of electromechanical electric spindles, steel, and ceramic balls, which are increasingly replacing hydraulic systems and offer advantages in terms of energy efficiency, ease of maintenance, and sustainability. Our products are primarily used in the aerospace and space industries, robotics, industrial automation, and the general industrial market.

Wirtschaftsforum: What distinguishes UmbraGroup from other market participants?

Alessio Ruffinelli: Our advantage lies in the combination of technological excellence, innovation, and proximity to customers. We see ourselves not just as manufacturers of products, but as solution partners. This means that we develop customized solutions for specific requirements beyond standard products. Our international presence with production sites and sales offices enables us to be close to our customers and respond quickly to their needs.

Wirtschaftsforum: Which international markets are particularly relevant for UmbraGroup?

Alessio Ruffinelli: Our main markets are Europe and North America. In recent years, we have strengthened our presence in Asia, particularly in India, where we see a rising demand for high-precision, energy-efficient drive solutions. To further drive our growth, we are focusing on strategic partnerships in the region.

Wirtschaftsforum: The aviation industry is one of your core markets. How has UmbraGroup managed the challenges of the past years?

Alessio Ruffinelli: During the pandemic, the aviation industry was severely affected as air traffic almost came to a standstill. Our diversified business model helped us to weather this phase. Thanks to our strong position in the industrial sector, we were able to offset losses in aviation with increasing demand in other areas. Meanwhile, the aviation sector is growing dynamically again, which provides us with additional opportunities.

Wirtschaftsforum: Sustainability is a big issue. How does UmbraGroup handle it?

Alessio Ruffinelli: For us, sustainability means much more than just energy-efficient production processes. We focus on eco-friendly materials, resource-saving manufacturing methods, and recycling concepts for our components. Particularly important to us is the development of electromechanical actuators that replace hydraulic systems, thus drastically reducing the consumption of oil and energy.

Wirtschaftsforum: What plans does UmbraGroup have for the future?

Alessio Ruffinelli: We aim to continue our international growth, especially in Asia and North America. Technologically, we are focusing on the further development of smart electromechanical systems and the digitalization of our processes. Our goal is to establish UmbraGroup as a leading provider of precision drive solutions worldwide.