As the new CEO of Manta Group, what is your vision for the company?

Manta Group was created from the merging of two companies, SCS and TMC, with a long history of expertise in industrial maintenance, assembly and trimming, composite materials production, and painting. As Manta Group, we offer a comprehensive range of services in the aerostructures field, including product R&D, design, structural analysis, prototyping, industrialization, and production. My vision for Manta Group is to become a leading manufacturing 4.0 company in both our business areas, automotive and aerospace. We aim to expand our client portfolio globally and no single client should account for more than 10% of our revenue. As a family business, we embrace our tradition, but we also want to transition to the next generation.

Could you highlight a few of your service offerings and clients?

Manta Group specializes in composite materials production and the assembly of assys and sub-assys, including both structural and non-structural assys. Our composite products include laminate and sandwich panels, radomes, pilots and passenger doors, liners, fillers, strips, ribs, and panels. We have advanced machines and 550 square-meter clean rooms for composites fabrication. Our main programs for composites production include AW109, AW119, AW139, AW169 and AW189; NH90 in the rotor wing industry; and Boeing 787, 767, KC-46 Tanker, ATR 42, and ATR 72 in the fixed-wing industry. In terms of assembly, we work on a wide range of parts, from radomes, pilot and passenger doors of helicopters to elevators, ailerons, and rudder of wide-body programs. We are proud to be the only company in the world that assembles mobile parts for the Boeing 767 and KC-46 programs, such as inboard ailerons, inboard and outboard elevators, and the rudder.

Could you tell us more about your anticorrosion paint techniques?

At Manta Group, we specialize in aerospace and automotive painting, and we have developed a customized painting system for engines to serve one of our main clients that produces engines in Italy and ships them to Japan. During the 60-day transit, the engines are exposed to humidity and external agents that can cause rust. We use a special paint that prevents the creation of rust, ensuring that the engines arrive at their destination in optimal condition.

What are the goals for Manta Group in the upcoming years?

Our ultimate ambition for Manta Group is to become a leading manufacturing 4.0 company in both our business areas, automotive and aerospace, and to increase our global client portfolio. We aim to be competitive by diversifying our offerings and strengthening our capabilities. We want to be a part of the transition to the next generation of the family business and continue to value our tradition while embracing new opportunities. We hope to continue our growth with each client representing no more than 10% of our revenue.

What are the prospects for the Italian aerospace industry?

Historically, the Italian aerospace industry has been developed by a big player with many SMEs in the supply chain. This has made it difficult for Italian companies to diversify within the same industry, forcing them to look outside the national boundaries. To succeed, the industry needs to restructure with fewer competitors but stronger capabilities. The future of the Italian aerospace industry is global, and we must be a part of it. A mindset change is required for small businesses, but the prospects are promising for those willing to adapt and innovate.