Can you give us a brief history of the development of Ing. Bertoloti from its establishment in 1949 until now, and highlight any key milestones achieved recently?

Certainly. Ing. Bertoloti was founded by my grandfather and his siblings and has a strong connection to Italy’s mechanical industry. Initially, our company focused on construction, but my father shifted our activities to the industrial sector and the production of mechanical elements for specialist machine tools and automation. For the past 15 years, we have been working in the aerospace sector, with a specific focus on mechanical construction of avionics and electronics. This has now become our core business, accounting for more than half of our turnover. Our primary product is the console structure, and our products are typically made of metal sheeting, aluminum, and composites.

We understand that your company also manufactures products for military use. Could you provide more information about the standards that you are required to adhere to in order to serve this market?

Yes, a significant portion of our business comes from military contracts. However, we are not required to have specific certifications in this area because our direct clients are not military bodies. In the aeronautical space, all Leonardo suppliers must adhere to the company’s specific standards, which are in line with those of the Italian government. This certification needs to be renewed every three years.

What is the significance of being more of a partner than a vendor to your customers, and how can you implement tailored solutions to meet individual customer needs?

Ing. Bertoloti utilizes several different technologies to produce parts, many of which are specific to machining avionics. We have certifications for these processes and operations, and our extensive experience sets us apart. Clients would not choose to work with us without this knowledge. Therefore, we strive to create a partnership relationship with our clients rather than a vendor-client relationship, although not all clients are receptive to this approach, and price often becomes the most important factor.

As a member of TPA, what benefits does membership bring to SMEs such as Ing. Bertoloti?

We recently joined TPA, although we have been working with Leonardo-Finmeccanica for over a decade. We joined TPA to maintain and expand links with local aerospace companies in the Piedmont region and to join consortiums and work with other companies in the future. Aerospace is very different from other industrial sectors, and a company that is already working within the sector must have some know-how that other companies do not possess. It is essential to connect with other companies in the industrial cluster to share knowledge.

Your products are used in 13 different countries. How much of a role does international business play in your overall operations?

We are not yet well-established internationally. However, since joining TPA, we have gained more exposure to international opportunities. Although for many years, we had sufficient business from the regional market that kept us at full working capacity, we now believe that it is crucial to look at international markets because it can help us increase our business. Currently, we occasionally collaborate with international customers, and Ing. Bertoloti is looking for customers within Europe not only in the aerospace industry but also in other areas.