Bertuletti (ANCCEM): “Innovation and generational change will shape the spring industry’s future”

Elected on May 23, 2025, as head of ANCCEM—the Italian National Association of Spring and Elastic Component Manufacturers—Fabrizio Bertuletti continues the association’s path of growth and commitment to representation set by Francesco Silvestri, in a year that has been particularly challenging for the supply chain. We discussed with him the outcomes of the 12th Congress of the European Spring Federation (ESF) held in Versailles, and took stock of the present and future of the spring sector in Italy.

President Bertuletti, how do you assess the early months of your term and the overall situation of the industry?

I would say that 2025 is ending on a neutral tone. Companies are working, but mostly handling urgencies rather than engaging in long-term planning. The domestic market remains quite static, and some major clients have been indirectly affected by tariffs and strained relationships with American or Russian companies, causing noticeable shifts in orders. Fortunately, raw material prices remain fairly stable. We hope that 2026 will bring more encouraging signs.

Let’s talk about the ESF Congress in Versailles. How would you describe the atmosphere?

It was a successful event, with over 150 participants from all over the world. In addition to technical presentations, it was an opportunity to “feel the pulse” of the global situation. ESF President Paul-Bernd Vogtland summarized very well the main challenges we are facing: sustainability, industrial transformation, digitalization, and geopolitical changes.

What picture emerged from the contributions of the various countries present at the congress?

In the United States, as explained by Donald Jacobson (President of the Spring Manufacturers Institute), the sector is in a contraction phase. More than half of spring production goes to the automotive industry, with industrial machinery at 20%, while the aerospace and medical sectors growing around 8%. The high average age of workers, difficulties in generational turnover, and risk of skill loss are critical issues for American spring manufacturers—just as they are for ours! Added to this is increasingly aggressive global competition: many companies choose to merge or consolidate to stay competitive.

For Japan, Shuichi Katahira, President of the Japan Spring Manufacturers Association, spoke of the “lost three decades”—the prolonged period of economic stagnation that began in the early 1990s after the burst of the speculative bubble. The weak yen, American tariffs, and energy costs remain problems for Japanese spring makers, who must now also face new labor regulations that limit the number of allowable overtime hours.

From India, on the other hand, we heard a very different story—one of strong growth. As illustrated by Utpal Shah, President of the Indian Spring Manufacturers Association, the Indian spring sector benefits from a growing domestic economy and favorable government reforms. Although a certain technological gap remains to be filled, there is a new generation of enterprising entrepreneurs ready to take over many family-owned businesses. In April, we will welcome an Indian delegation visiting Italian spring manufacturers—an ANCCEM initiative to foster dialogue between our companies and those from the subcontinent.

And what about Europe?

Vogtland, speaking on behalf of the European industry, reported a 10% drop in exports outside the EU. Automotive remains the main application sector for EU-made springs, followed by energy, construction, medical, and defense—the latter two growing. Demand for standard springs is decreasing, while small technical batches and customized requests are increasing. Competitive price pressures are very strong, even in high-quality segments.

He also highlighted two issues: delays in e-mobility development and difficulties in generational transition within family businesses. The latter concerns us very closely.

Is ANCCEM working on this issue?

Yes, we are considering a training program dedicated to young entrepreneurs preparing to take over family businesses. We would like to create a two-year support course offering management tools and cross-disciplinary skills. This is a crucial issue to ensure the continuity of our companies.

In Italy, the impact of government programs that promote technological investment is still uncertain. What is your view?

I’d say they haven’t delivered the expected results. The Industry 4.0 measures were quite satisfactory, but 5.0 incentives haven’t been widely applied. In particular, the 5.0 program is too complex—it requires significant investment, and few companies have managed to take real advantage of it. I hope that in 2026 the government will review and relaunch these programs.

What will be ANCCEM’s main areas of focus in the coming months?

Training remains at the core of our mission. We are planning new courses for members, believing that skill is the key to navigating a rapidly transforming market. We are also considering expanding ANCCEM’s headquarters to provide more space for training and association activities—an initiative that reflects our commitment to growth as a community and to offering members increasingly effective tools. In May 2026, we will hold our annual congress, an important occasion for dialogue and exchange. The main theme has not yet been decided, but AI—specifically its applications in the spring industry—will certainly be among the key topics.