In recent years, the ongoing uncertainty in the markets has put companies under severe strain, with threats of trade wars and conflicts that complicate the international landscape. If we then add to this the volatility of raw material and energy costs, it becomes increasingly difficult for companies to make forecasts and define strategies. Furthermore, a widespread instability causes companies to be very cautious, with the risk of investments and projects being put on hold. We discussed these issues with Roberto Colombo and Ciriaco Petruzziello, respectively CEO and Sales Director of PowerCoils, who explained how the company is continuing its growth path despite the current difficulties. PowerCoils, which designs and manufactures wound components for various sectors and applications, is focusing on a combination of technological innovation, efficiency, and flexibility to continue expanding and remaining competitive.
Is the climate of strong global uncertainty also affecting your sector?
Yes, geopolitical instability is also having a tangible impact on our sector. PowerCoils operates in a global supply chain, and international tensions – such as armed conflicts, sanctions, logistical disruptions, and instability in energy markets – directly affect the availability of raw materials (such as copper, ferrites, and insulating materials) and the timeliness of supplies.
Specifically, one of the main challenges we are facing is the volatility of raw material costs, particularly copper and ferromagnetic materials, which are essential for our products. Further difficulties relate to delays in supply chains, especially from Asian markets or areas involved in trade tensions. Finally, another element of complexity is the uncertainty in planning, both on the production side and on the demand side, particularly for customers in sectors subject to external shocks, such as energy or defense.
How are you addressing these challenges?
We have implemented a series of strategic measures, including supplier diversification. We are reducing our dependence on individual countries or producers by focusing on European sources and multi-year agreements with reliable partners. In addition, we are trying to have a larger stock of critical materials to avoid production stoppages in the event of slowdowns. These measures are complemented by investments in production efficiency and flexibility, to adapt capacity to actual demand, and by the strengthening of partnerships with customers to share supply chain information and plan supplies together in a more predictable manner.
Despite the difficulties, however, we believe that there may also be opportunities in the current situation: the growing push towards energy transition and electrification – also as a response to geopolitical crises – is generating new demand for our products, especially in the railway, medical, and energy sectors. Our strategy therefore aims not only to protect operational continuity, but also to strengthen our position as a reliable technology partner in complex contexts.
In your opinion, is automation one of the strengths for remaining competitive in a constantly changing scenario?
Absolutely. PowerCoils has always believed strongly in automation as a strategic lever for combining “Made in Italy” with industrial scale, reducing costs, eliminating downtime, and defending Italian craftsmanship. In terms of investment, since 2021 we have introduced automatic winding, welding, and assembly lines equipped with robotic systems for loading/unloading and handling components. These innovations have enabled us to guarantee reliability and repeatability of operations. In addition, in collaboration with Smiro (a provider of intelligent warehouse management solutions), we have extended automation to materials logistics, saving time and increasing competitiveness. We believe that this approach represents a modern vision of Made in Italy, because automation does not mean giving up handcrafted quality, but enhancing it, making it scalable and competitive, while keeping the heart of production in our Country.
As for the present and the near future, the investments in innovation started in 2021 are still proceeding successfully. We are continuing to develop new solutions and improve production processes, with a particular focus on automation and energy efficiency. This allows us to maintain a competitive advantage and respond more effectively to customer needs.
