Smart Industry

Mechatronic Automation

A strong connection between companies, universities, and public institutions. Clear capacities in sectors such as industry 4.0, research, and development. Passion and commitment of the first order at a worldwide level. These are the principal factors that make Tuscany an ideal region in which to invest and where to locate your activity, with regard to smart industry.

For Tuscany, as for Italy, mechanics and mechanical engineering represent a sector of primary importance, and there are two main reasons for this. First of all, in contrast to traditional manufacturing, of which it is the child in many cases, the mechanical sector has not been subjected to the negative impact of the processes of globalization by substituting the local and national market with international customers. Secondly, the mechanics industry is more open to technological innovation than other sectors, showing positive trends in productivity and exports. Furthermore, its presence and its strengthening can also have positive effects upon the other production chains with which it is connected. Today, the regional tool mechanics sector is in fifth place at the national level, both for the number of active companies and for the number of employees, and the top five Italian regions comprise approximately 80% of the national tool mechanics sector.

Robotics

Italian research in robotics is cutting edge, and the robotics and automation industry is also among the top in the world, both with the production of robots and automated machines and in their use. Tuscany in general, and Pisa in particular, is a center of excellence for robotics.

The region boasts a system of robotics research that has been active since the early 1980s, characterized by deep interdisciplinary connections and recognized today as having absolutely international significance. Tuscany is also third among the regions of Italy for the number of companies that are active in the robotics sector. Within the framework of research and applications, Pisa has acquired an international leadership role in the sector to the point of being considered the city of technologies.

Sector data

Leading factors
why to invest

A strong connection between companies,
universities, and public institutions

Great cohesiveness, solidity in relationships, and a gift for internationalization are established in the production of machinery for the sectors that are typical for Tuscan manufacturing, such as paper, leather and furs, and textiles. At the regional level, the accumulation of mechanical companies can be noted (in particular those that are dynamic) along the Arno Valley, as can the connection with other manufacturing operations.

The region is home to numerous small and medium-sized companies. The latter in particular have frequently been acquired by multinational corporations which have recognized in them their dynamism and remarkable capacity for innovation. Completing the picture as a whole is the presence of large international groups, among which are Finmeccanica and BHGE.