Three words that summarize nearly fifty years of company history. We visited Pneumax, the group based in Lurano (Bergamo), specializing in industrial automation solutions with a particular focus on pneumatic and electromechanical technologies. Our guides for the visit were Roberto Bonfanti and Domenico Di Monte, respectively Business Development Manager for the Wood Division and Head of Marketing for the Group.
In Lurano – just a few kilometers from Bergamo and located in a district rich in companies, ideas, and that entrepreneurial spirit driven by a desire to innovate and experiment – Pneumax was founded in 1976. A well-known name, Pneumax is a company that has continued to innovate, grow, and expand its production year after year, reaching the point where it now operates three business units (industrial automation, process automation, and automotive) capable of working with various technologies and materials.
As it approaches its 50th anniversary, for this focus on Lombardy, it seemed only fitting to “pay a visit” to Pneumax. Our guides for this journey into the group’s history, technologies, and projects were – in alphabetical order – Roberto Bonfanti and Domenico Di Monte.
Domenico Di Monte
It is Mr. Di Monte who explains what Pneumax looks like “today.”
“Today, Pneumax is the parent company of a Group comprising 29 companies, located in Italy and abroad, with over 850 employees and a commercial network present in more than 50 countries through proprietary branches and a distributor network. The branches also serve as workshops for assembly and additional processing, while production is concentrated in 10 manufacturing units. Seven of these are located at the headquarters in Lurano, with additional facilities including Titan Engineering in San Marino, specializing in fittings and connections for pneumatic applications; Simtech, handling mechanical processing in Lurano; and Automationware in Martellago (Venice), recently acquired and dedicated to the production of electric actuators and mechatronic systems.”
A Lombardy-based company that has expanded globally. How significant has the local territory been in Pneumax’s growth?
“Pneumax began as a mechanical workshop in the 1970s in Lurano, a small town in the province of Bergamo that, at the time, had a population of just under 1,000. The company benefitted greatly from its location on the Brescia-Bergamo-Milan axis, an area recognized as the cradle of industrial automation components and much of Italy’s metalworking sector. Pneumax’s story is akin to that of many industrial pioneers who helped build Italy’s post-war economy: a tale of intuition, vision, perseverance, sacrifice, and dedication, all closely tied to the local community. This deep connection to the territory played a key role in Pneumax’s success.
From its original facility of just over 3,000 square meters, Pneumax expanded within 10 years to a new industrial complex in Lurano of an additional 10,000 square meters. The company began tackling new market and product challenges, embarking on a relentless journey of national and international growth that led to the establishment of branches abroad. Today, the Lurano headquarters spans over 160,000 square meters.
Our sector, with a focus on pneumatic automation, sees Lombardy holding more than 35 percent of the national market share, solidifying its role as a key region for production and innovation. The region serves not only as a production hub but also as an ideal context for skill development. Thanks to Italy’s industrial districts, Lombardy offers an ecosystem where companies of different sizes—engaged in both manufacturing and services within the same supply chains—can collaborate and grow. This fosters a widespread competence not only in production but also in research and development.
For Pneumax, ‘Made in Italy’ is a key added value. That’s why we keep core design and production activities in Italy. Our workshops abroad focus on customer support, offering assistance in defining specific solutions for each application and throughout the product lifecycle, while also performing assembly and additional processing. However,” Di Monte continues, “while growing in such a stimulating and technology-rich district is an advantage, it’s not enough to merely have expertise. It must be developed and supported with structured and consistent investment in innovation and training to continuously add value and enhance competitiveness.”
The post-pandemic years have been unique. How did Pneumax fare in 2024?
“The 2020 health emergency had social and economic effects that weighed on various production sectors in the years that followed,” Bonfanti explains. “The challenges impacted many aspects of the supply chain, including delays in supplies, component shortages, rising raw material costs, energy price increases, and ongoing conflicts. Despite this complex economic landscape, we maintained our commitments to our clients, continued to invest in production and inventory, and prepared for the market’s recovery.
2024 was a year marked by uncertainties, with escalating geopolitical tensions affecting the global industrial sector. While challenging, this environment also drives us to adapt our strategies and seize opportunities for a more dynamic and demanding development model.
Specifically in our sector, 2024 was a year of stabilization, marked by dynamic internal and external factors driving a rapid technological evolution. Some aspects of this evolution are not yet fully understood, but it is clear that innovation is impacting every area, from products to processes, culture, and relationships. Pneumax’s strategy has always been rooted in diversification. Originally specialized in pneumatic automation for the woodworking sector, we have evolved and diversified into three business units: industrial automation, automotive, and process automation. This diversification helps us maintain stability and balance, as each unit experiences its own market cycles”.
What are the key drivers of your technological development?
“We are developing new solutions to meet the demands of an increasingly demanding market. Over the years, we have invested heavily in automation control solutions,” Bonfanti explains. “One example is the ongoing development of the ‘EVO’ range of solenoid valves, which integrate electronics and digital technologies. In 2025, we’ll focus heavily on electric actuation, as combining pneumatic and electric technologies can significantly enhance production processes.”
‘EVO’ range of solenoid valves
“The acquisition of Automationware in 2024,” adds Di Monte, “an Italian company specializing in electric actuators and mechatronic systems, strengthens our portfolio. We now offer complete multi-axis systems tailored to customer needs, with integrated drive and software for optimal performance. This allows us to target new sectors with dedicated solutions and applications.”
An example of a solution implemented with Automationware electric actuators
What will be the main focus for the future?
“Sustainability will undoubtedly be central,” Bonfanti states. “Clients today don’t just ask for products; they want complete solutions that align with ESG principles. Sustainability is integral to our philosophy—it means operating responsibly at every stage of production, adopting environmentally friendly solutions without compromising efficiency or quality.”
In conclusion, what values do your clients associate with Pneumax?
“Competence, ethics, and technology,” they both reply.
Three words that capture Pneumax’s essence. Competence to tackle the challenges of an increasingly complex global market. Ethics to maintain strong ties with people, the territory, and the planet. Technology to innovate continually and offer solutions that not only meet clients’ needs but anticipate future demands. In these three words, Pneumax defines not only what it is today but what it aspires to be tomorrow.
