Engineering Wastewater Solutions Worldwide
Interview with Marco Scifoni, CEO of Zenit Italia s.r.l.
Water infrastructure is becoming one of the defining challenges of our time. Growing urbanization, stricter environmental standards and increasing sustainability requirements are placing ever greater demands on wastewater management systems. For companies operating in this field, technological expertise alone is not enough – focus, adaptability and international reach are equally essential. Zenit Italia, based in San Cesario sul Panaro near Modena has been shaping this sector for more than six decades. What began as a small family workshop has evolved into an internationally active pump specialist.
European Business: Mr. Scifoni, Zenit looks back on a long history. How did the company develop?
Marco Scifoni: Zenit was founded in 1959. In the beginning, our founder Ugo Zeni operated out of a small garage in Modena, focusing on the repair of electric motors and hydraulic pumps. For around 20 years, the business was primarily active in the Italian market. A decisive strategic step followed in 1985, when the company chose to focus exclusively on submersible and wastewater pumps. This specialization laid the foundation for our later international expansion and clearly positioned Zenit within the market.
European Business: When did Zenit begin to expand internationally?
Marco Scifoni: The real transformation began in the 1990s, when the 2. generation joined the company. During this period, we expanded our portfolio beyond pumps to include mixers, aerators and oxygenators for wastewater treatment and evolved from a component manufacturer into a provider of comprehensive wastewater solutions. In 2004, we established our subsidiary in Suzhou near Shanghai, followed by a second production site in Chengdu. In 2009, Zenit Luxembourg was founded to manage the EMEA market. Today, Europe is our most important market and main revenue driver.
European Business: 2024 marked a turning point for Zenit. What happened?
Marco Scifoni: In July 2024, Zenit was acquired 100% by Tsurumi Manufacturing, a Japanese pump manufacturer with annual revenues of approximately 360 million EUR. Initially, we had a commercial partnership that later developed into a strategic alliance, and the acquisition was a logical step to complement our respective portfolios. Zenit continues to operate under its own brand and market positioning while benefiting from the financial strength and global structure of a larger group. In September 2025, I took over as CEO, with the aim of initiating a new phase of organizational development.
European Business: Who are your target customers?
Marco Scifoni: We operate exclusively in the B2B segment. Depending on the product range, our target groups differ depending on the product range. For smaller domestic pumps, we often work with wholesalers and installers. In the industrial segment, we supply large municipal utilities and operators of wastewater treatment plants, often through public tenders. Internationally, our main partners are distributors who purchase and stock our products locally. In these markets, the distributor is our direct customer, while the final user is supplied through their network.
European Business: How do you position yourself against much larger competitors?
Marco Scifoni: Our competitors include global players with significantly higher revenues. Our advantage lies in our flexibility and agility. As a mid-sized organization, we can react more quickly to market changes and customer requirements. Decision-making processes are shorter, and we maintain close, long-standing relationships with our distributors and partners worldwide.
European Business: You are responsible for corporate strategy. How has your corporate strategy evolved?
Marco Scifoni: Our communication activities were rather limited until four years ago, when our Corporate Marketing Department became more structured. Since then, we have completely reorganized our marketing strategy. We have implemented structured editorial plans covering corporate as well as technical content in Italy, the UK and Asia. We cooperate with specialized trade publications such as World Pumps and other sector-specific magazines. At the same time, we have strengthened our digital presence, especially on LinkedIn. Trade fairs also play a key role. We participate in Servizi a Rete Tour, Ecomondo and IFAT in Munich. These events enable us to present our innovations directly to municipal decision-makers and industry professionals.
European Business: What are your priorities for the future?
Marco Scifoni: Our focus is on further integrating our activities within the Tsurumi Group while preserving Zenit’s identity and strengths. Technological innovation, particularly in energy efficiency and high-performance solutions, remains a key driver. At the same time, we are working on optimizing our internal processes and strengthening our global network. The wastewater sector will continue to grow due to environmental and regulatory pressures. We want to be a reliable and specialized partner in this evolving market.