Cable and wire rope lines: the TCS Machinery formula

Diego Pagliarello, General Manager of TCS Machinery & Services, shares with Expometals.net the evolution and vision of a group that brings together three historic brands of Italian mechanical engineering — Cortinovis, Sictra, and Trafco — into a single integrated company active in the wire and cable production sector.

Let’s take a closer look at this successful enterprise and Mr. Pagliarello’s valuable insights on internationalization and artificial intelligence.

1 – Let’s quickly recap the story of TCS Machinery & Services

TCS Machinery & Services (TCS) was established in 2017 from the strategic decision to unite three historic brands of the Italian cable machinery industry under one entity: Cortinovis (founded in 1881), Sictra (founded in 1972), and Trafco (founded in 1986).

Each of these companies had a strong technical identity and a long history of mechanical innovation and global presence. In 2018, they were fully acquired and merged into TCS.

From this merger, TCS was born with a clear mission: to “put head and heart together” — combining know-how, experience, and passion to build machines and services that stand the test of time. Today, TCS is not only the technical heir of three renowned Italian brands but also a global partner for customers seeking reliability, performance, and long-term support throughout the entire lifecycle of their equipment.

2 – What is the company’s core business today? Which sectors and regions do you mainly serve?

TCS specializes in designing, building, and maintaining equipment for producing ferrous and non-ferrous ropes and cables for energy, telecom, and special applications.

We serve a global market, with strong operations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South America, working with cable manufacturers of all sizes. Beyond new lines, we provide revamps, upgrades, and original spare parts to extend the life and performance of existing machines.

Our goal is simple: to support customers through every stage of the equipment lifecycle — from design to maintenance — with fast, expert service.

3 – What types of machinery and equipment do you manufacture? Could you give us an overview of the production capabilities of TCS Machinery & Services?

As mentioned, TCS Machinery & Services operates as an integrated group combining three historic and complementary brands: Cortinovis, Sictra, and Trafco. This synergy allows us to cover the entire cable production process — from wire drawing to final assembly — and to supply equipment for steel rope manufacturing as well. This ensures a complete, flexible, and customized technical approach for every production need.

Cortinovis specializes in the design and manufacturing of stranding, bunching, armoring, and screening lines. Its main products include rigid and tubular stranders, planetary, bow skip, and drum twister machines, as well as single and double twist units and a wide range of accessories for customized line configurations.

Sictra focuses on drawing lines for non-ferrous metals such as copper, aluminum, and their alloys. Its portfolio includes single and double wire rod breakdown lines, intermediate single-wire machines, multi-wire drawing lines up to 42 wires, and systems for large diameters or shaped profiles. Sictra solutions combine mechanical precision, energy efficiency, and easy maintenance.

Trafco complements the group by offering revamping, retrofitting, and technological upgrades for existing lines, along with machinery and accessories such as pay-offs, take-ups, capstans, and handling systems. Its mechanical and electronic expertise helps extend plant life and integrate legacy systems with modern technologies.

By combining these three areas of expertise, TCS Machinery & Services delivers complete, modular solutions — from design to construction, installation, and after-sales support. Our goal is to build technology that lasts: designed with the head, built with the heart.

4 – How do you address the challenges of global competition in your industry?

By not chasing price, but defending the value of a 100% Made-in-Italy product. In our field, the real difference is not made by those who promise the most, but by those who deliver reliability, service, and long-term consistency.

TCS competes through mechanical quality, smart engineering, and strong after-sales support, offering solutions built to last and perform without compromise. We continually invest in technical training, process digitalization, and customized solutions, because we believe that true innovation is the kind that makes the customer’s work easier — not more complicated.

5 – Which trade fairs will TCS Machinery & Services be attending in the near future, and how important are these events for your business?

We regularly take part in major international wire and cable exhibitions such as wire Düsseldorf, wire India, wire Middle East Africa, wire Southeast Asia, and Interwire, as well as local events dedicated to the electrotechnical industry.

Trade fairs remain essential for us — not only to showcase our technologies but also to meet partners, listen to the market, and build long-term relationships. Each new exhibition is an opportunity to present not just machines, but also our mindset, expertise, and the Italian passion for engineering.

6 – How do you see the industry evolving in the coming years, and how are you preparing for it?

The cable market is undergoing a major transformation: electrification, renewable energy, electric mobility, and high-speed connectivity are driving demand for increasingly advanced technologies.

TCS is preparing by strengthening its capabilities in digital integration, automation, and traceability, while developing modernization projects to extend the lifespan and efficiency of existing lines. We believe in sustainable growth — more technology, less waste, and greater long-term value.

7 – Does artificial intelligence have any impact on your business or the technologies you offer?

Yes — and its role will only grow stronger. AI is helping us analyze production and maintenance data to prevent failures, optimize productivity, and enhance the customer experience.

We are working on integrating predictive models into our supervision systems to shift maintenance from “corrective” to “intelligent.” We don’t believe in automation for its own sake — we believe in technology that empowers people, keeping human know-how at the center of a more efficient and aware process.

We thank Mr. Pagliarello for sharing TCS Machinery & Services’ industrial vision and invite readers to explore the company’s wire and rope solutions at its online stand on Expometals.