- Italy | 18 July 2018
Can you provide a detailed overview of the main developments that Fucine Umbre has undergone since its establishment?
Fucine Umbre is a company with a rich history that was founded in 1967 by the current owner’s grandfather and father in Terni. The company has a long-standing tradition in forging and transforming metallic materials. In the 1970s, the founder’s father had a vision to specialize in small and medium batches instead of large-scale production, and identified aerospace and defense as the key market to pursue. When the current owner joined the company in 1996, he furthered this specialization in aeronautics, increasing the portfolio share from 30% to over 90%. The remaining business falls in the defense and industrial markets, with applications very close to the needs of the aerospace industry. Fucine Umbre offers a range of products and services to the market, targeting OEMs, in three main areas: forging, which comprises the core of the business and will remain one of its strongest capabilities; being a Tier-1 company, providing complete parts ready to be used in the assembly line; and services offered to customers, including a complete range of in-house processes.
Who are the main clients of Fucine Umbre?
Fucine Umbre’s main market is in Italy, and the company works across the entire industry, serving all OEMs, including Leonardo’s divisions, which account for about 30% of its business. Over the last decade, the company has worked to improve its international presence and is proud to supply the main OEMs in the international market, such as Parker Aerospace, Liebherr, and Safran. Currently, about 70% of its business is within the national market, and the company aims to bring the split to 50-50, with the goal of increasing its international operations to 70% within the next ten years. The market in the Far East has great potential, particularly for defense applications.
What makes Fucine Umbre the partner of choice?
Fucine Umbre is competitive in many areas, including price, quality, availability, competence, and time, which make its services appealing to many potential customers. The company has had a strong investment plan over the last decade that has allowed it to cover all areas of the process. Beginning with the raw materials, it is able to make complete parts with in-house capabilities, including forging, machining, NDI, heat treatment, sheening, painting, and bonding. The company does not have to contend with a long and complicated supply chain and can be more confident in managing the quality of its products. Fucine Umbre’s flexibility is also a great strength.
How does the Umbria Aerospace Cluster support the region?
Umbria is a wonderful place to be in for many reasons. The quality of work is connected to the quality of life, and the region is well placed geographically. As a suburb of the capital, Fucine Umbre is connected to the international market. The Umbria Aerospace Cluster is one of the smallest clusters in Italy, simply because it has a smaller number of companies. Out of 29 companies, 26 are SMEs, and the remainder, OMA, Umbra Cuscinetti, and Angelantoni, are classified as large companies. Yet, customers that visit feel there is a strong network. Bringing investment to the region is not easy, but the cluster is trying to demonstrate the benefits of its network and promote its companies in this way.