Ferruccio Bellina (ACIMAF): "Heading to wire 2026 with stable numbers, but facing strong headwinds"
As wire 2026 in Düsseldorf approaches — scheduled for April 13–17 — I caught up as usual with Ferruccio Bellina, President of ACIMAF, the Italian association of machinery manufacturers for the wire and cable industry. It was an opportunity to take stock of a particularly complex market moment and look ahead to what awaits us at the fair — where Italy once again confirms its position as the second-largest exhibiting country by floor space, behind Germany alone.
President, let's start with the big picture. How is the sector doing?
The situation is genuinely complicated — perhaps more so than in previous editions. International geopolitical tensions are having a heavy impact on the entire wire and cable industry. In some cases, there's a real risk of a complete standstill: take tungsten, for example, a material that's absolutely essential for industrial production. Between supply difficulties and prices that have spiked over the past year with no sign of easing, the outlook is truly critical.
So the effects are cutting across the board, not limited to a single segment?
Exactly, and that's perhaps the most worrying aspect. There used to be a time when you could say, "that sector is struggling, but the other one is holding up." Today we're all in the same boat. Uncertainty and fragility are widespread. Energy cost pressures are weighing on everyone, starting with the most energy-intensive sectors like steelmaking. And let's not forget that Italy was already at a disadvantage in this regard, with the highest energy costs in Europe — and we're coming off two consecutive years of sustained crisis.
Are there any segments that have held up better than others?
Over the past two years, the non-ferrous segment — copper in particular — had fared better than steel. Large-scale cabling and major transmission infrastructure, driven by growing demand for power grid infrastructure, had supported cable demand. But now even the non-ferrous sector is feeling the negative effects of market dynamics, pricing, and raw material availability.
Let's talk about the fair. What are your expectations for wire 2026?
On the Italian exhibitor side, the numbers are essentially stable compared to the 2024 edition. We have 191 Italian companies exhibiting across roughly 13,000 square meters, compared to 197 companies with a virtually identical exhibition footprint. There have been some mergers, some co-exhibitions, but the figures are largely holding. Overall, wire 2026 currently counts (editor’s note: data as of March 23) 1,502 exhibitors across more than 67,000 square meters — numbers almost identical to 2024. Italy remains the second-largest exhibiting country, behind Germany.
And on the visitor side?
That's where I have a bit more concern. Based on conversations with clients and members, we expect visits from countries like Iran and others in the Gulf region — which have always been well represented in the past — to decline significantly. More broadly, I'm anticipating a reduction in attendance from non-European markets. What should hold up, by our assessment, are visits from European countries and North Africa.
Despite the challenges, ACIMAF will be present at the fair as always, with its own booth in Hall 11, B51. But there's something new this year.
Yes — at the request of Messe Düsseldorf, we've organized active participation by our member companies in the Wire & Cable Forum. Tuesday, April 14 will be ACIMAF's dedicated technical day, with 9 member companies presenting their work. It's a content-rich conference session covering very concrete topics: from wire rod deformability for mechanical applications to the latest drawing technologies; from laser measurement and IIoT connectivity applied to the wire and cable industry to low-emission wire rod production; as well as cold finishing lines for bars and wire, and the most technologically advanced aluminum rod production. We'll close with two presentations on highly timely subjects: wire rod quality in relation to continuous casting, and solutions for cold and warm forming of aerospace fasteners. A program that clearly reflects the breadth and technological depth of our member companies.
A message for anyone who'll be at the fair?
Come visit us in Hall 11, booth B51 — it's the go-to reference point, as always, for all our members and for anyone who wants to learn more about Italy's wire machinery ecosystem. Despite the difficulties — or maybe because of them — wire remains the event you simply can't miss: for doing business, for exchanging ideas, and for understanding where the market is headed.
In the photo above, from left: Mirco Tenca (Caleotto), Giovanni Garoli (TKT Group), Stefano Pasquon (Aeroel) and Flavio Marocco (Pittini)
In the image above, from left: Carmelo Crea (SAS Engineering and Planning), Alberto Ghisetti and Stefano Buono (Continuus Properzi) and Enrico Conte (SAMP).
Above, from left: John Razza (Carlo Salvi) and Federico Baldussi (Acciaierie di Calvisano)
ACIMAF program — Wire & Cable Forum, Tuesday, April 14
- 10:00 – 10:25 | Caleotto Spa — Mirco Tenca
Influence of the process parameters on the deformability of wire rod for mechanical application - 10:30 – 10:55 | TKT Group srl — Giovanni Garoli
Latest drawing technologies - 11:00 – 11:25 | Aeroel srl — Stefano Pasquon
Laser measurement and IIoT data connectivity for the wire and cable industry - 11:30 – 11:55 | Pittini spa — Flavio Marocco
Low CO₂ EQ emission wire rod: Pittini applications of EFAF carbon steel wire rods - 12:00 – 12:25 | SAS Engineering and Planning srl — Carmelo Crea
State of the art equipment for the cold finishing of bars & wires – drawing, peeling and grinding specialist - 14:30 – 14:55 | Continuus Properzi spa — Alberto Ghisetti, Stefano Buono
Properzi's equipment and technology for aluminum rod production: EC grade, electrical and mechanical alloys. Focus on aluminium furnaces, the Properzi Vert-Melt, and Exus for fumes treatment systems - 15:00 – 15:25 | SAMP srl — Enrico Conte
Innovative solution and production lines efficiency for the wire and cable industry - 15:30 – 15:55 | Acciaierie di Calvisano spa — Federico Baldussi
From billet to wire rod: effect of continuous casting conditions on final quality - 16:00 – 16:25 | Carlo Salvi spa — John Razza
Shaping the future of aerospace fasteners: precision cold and warm forming with Carlo Salvi technology
On Tuesday, I will serve as moderator of the conference in my role as Editor-in-Chief of Expometals.
