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Home > UNITED KINGDOM > Showroom
PRIMA INDUSTRIE: SUPPLYING LASER MACHINES FOR THE WORLD'S TOP FIRMS
Among its list of over 1000 client firms you can find the most important players in the automotive, aerospace and metalwork world markets, such as Airbus, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, General Electric, General Motors, Ford, Daimler Chrysler, Renault, Bmw, Fiat and Volkswagen. All of them rely on the laser systems for industrial applications produced by 'Prima Industrie', based in Piedmont, in the North-West of Italy. The firm has a marked international outlook, as only about a quarter of its revenues (27%) come from Italy, while the rest is made from sales abroad, particularly in the European (36%), North American (20%) and Chinese (10%) markets. But 'Prima Industrie' has gained a significant foothold in several emerging countries and can look forward to exciting opportunities for expansion in others.
The company is the undisputed leader on the Italian market, where there is practically no competitor in terms of size. The strongest rivals on the international scene are Trumpf from Germany (it registered a 1.65 billion euros in revenue in its most recent balance sheet) and Amada from Japan, a group with a global reach spanning Japan, Asia, North America and Europe (its most recent revenue figures were 1.36 billion euros).
'Prima Industrie' was founded in 1977 as an engineering firm. In the 1980's it developed as an industrial group operating in several sectors (laser robotics, precision robotics, welding and material handling robotics) all characterised by the use of mechanical, electronic and computerised technology. The breakthrough came in the 1990's, with the decision to focus on laser systems, to sell-off non-core activities and to invest in the laser market by widening the product range and expanding the commercial reach of the company. In 1992 the firm completed its first acquisition, which involved the Swiss firm Laser Work.
'Prima Industrie' has now acquired a global dimension in the laser systems for industrial applications market: it is the third-largest company of its kind in Europe and the sixth in the world. It is a leader in the niche sector for 3D laser cutting machines for the automotive and aerospace industries, with a 45% market share in Europe and 30% in North America. On the whole, about 2000 laser systems made by this Italian firm have been installed in over 40 countries in the world.
Its leading products are the 'Optimo' and 'Rapido' 3D laser cutting and welding machines, mainly destined for automotive applications, the 'Platino' and 'Domino' 2D and 3D laser cutting machines, predominantly produced for job-shops and third-parties, as well as the 'Laserdyne' range, designed first and foremost for drilling in the aerospace and energy industries. 2006 saw the addition of 'Sincrono', an extremely innovative machine covered by several patents. 'Sincrono' is by far the fastest and best performing laser system ever produced and is therefore a guarantee for further development and success for 'Prima Industrie'.
In the meantime, last year the company - listed on the Italian stock exchange since 1999 - registered a 33% increase in its consolidated turnover, which was equal to 147.57 billion euros. Ebitda (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) figures more than doubled compared to 2005, reaching 19.80 million euros, while operatine profits shot up by 130% to 18.47 million euros. 2006 also saw an increase in the labour force: by the close of the year the company's employees had increased to 546 compared to 498 at the end of 2005.
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