The third in the world as a manufacturer and as an exporter, the Italian machine-tool, robot,and automation industry has certain features that distinguish it from the industries of other countries.

The differences become apparent if we consider the structure of the industry, which is much more fragmented than in other countries. Indeed, most of the 500-odd companies in Italy are small or medium-sized. In a typical company, management is firmly in the hands of the owner and normally no more than 70 persons are employed, compared with the 200 that are the average in Germany and Japan, where, in addition, management has a highly vertical structure. Italian companies exploit to the full the limited size of their companies, successfully penetrating the markets worldwide with their flexibility and quick response, unmatched by the manufacturers of any other country. It is no coincidence that one of the strengths of the Italian machine-tool industry lies in supplying custom-made machines and systems - in other words, machines and systems produced to meet the specific requirements of individual users. As to the quality of products, it is significant that almost 70% of the machine-tools produced in Italy are electronically controlled, and 20% of these form part of integrated systems (cells and systems made up of more than three machines).

In addition to quality, flexibility, reliability and customisation, Italian companies are "special" because of the marketing policy they have adopted, based on the conviction that technology has to be shared. Consequently, they present themselves on the markets of the world with an approach marked by readiness for dialogue and co-operation.