OMIG: technology and automation drive recovery in electroplating equipment in 2026

Founded in 1959 and based in Italy, OMIG Srl specializes in the design and manufacture of custom barrel and rack electroplating lines for a wide range of industrial sectors. With more than 500 installations completed and customers in over 30 countries, the company has built extensive expertise in surface treatment technologies. We spoke with OMIG owner Mr. Grassi about the company's performance in 2026, its most significant projects, and its outlook for the years ahead.
Mr. Grassi, as 2026 draws to a close, how would you assess the year for OMIG?
2026 has been a year of strong recovery for OMIG compared to 2025. We still need to wait for the final year-end figures, but we are currently expecting revenue growth of around 25%.
OMIG supplies electroplating lines to a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, mechanical engineering, and electronics. Which sectors have been the most active in 2026? Have customer requirements changed?
Aerospace and defense, medical technology, and automotive have been the most active sectors. We've also noticed some clear differences in what customers are looking for. The automotive industry, traditionally our main driver, tends to favor large-scale electroplating lines. Other industries generally require smaller, more compact systems, but with a higher level of technological sophistication.
Was there a project this year that gave you particular satisfaction, in terms of technical complexity, results achieved, or project characteristics?
One particularly interesting project involved an electroplating line for the energy industry, specifically for gas turbine applications. The customer needed a highly automated system, primarily to ensure process repeatability, as well as compliance with specific certification requirements.
It's worth clarifying that certification applies not to the equipment itself, but to the process and the finished product. Both must comply with the customer's technical specifications and relevant standards, including MIL specifications where applicable. Our familiarity with these standards allows us to engineer systems that support compliance with such requirements.
What are the most noteworthy technical features of this line?
The system was designed entirely around the customer's requirements. Particular attention went into selecting corrosion-resistant materials and minimizing environmental impact, especially in terms of water consumption and the management of gaseous emissions.
Automation was another major focus, and it's an area where we constantly update our technology. For this project, we also worked closely with the customer on the management and recording of process data, which must be retained for ten years.
Looking ahead, what is OMIG's outlook? Which technologies, markets, or strategic goals do you plan to focus on in 2027?
In recent years, we've focused on markets that are now being heavily affected by international geopolitical tensions. We hope to see at least some stabilization in 2027, which could support a recovery in investment.
North Africa is one region where we see promising opportunities, partly through our cooperation with API (Italian Small Business Association) and our participation in industry trade shows in France and Morocco. Naturally, these markets too have to contend with raw material price trends, which continue to influence investment decisions.
We're also looking closely at the medical technology sector, particularly surface treatment applications involving titanium implants and other specialty metals.
As for investment, Italy's Industry 4.0 and Transition 5.0 incentive programs have helped generate some momentum in the market. We hope this trend will continue into 2027 and create favorable conditions as we approach 2028 and assess the market's subsequent developments.
We thank Mr. Grassi for sharing his insights into OMIG's performance and future plans. Follow OMIG on Expometals for the latest company news, projects, and developments.

