Consorzi di sviluppo industriale, ricavi per 156 miliardi e mezzo milione di addetti

Italian industrial consortia generate 156 billion euros in revenue and employ nearly half a million people, according to a report by the Centro Studi Tagliacarne. These consortia exhibit a labor productivity 31% higher than the national average, with an export propensity of 15.8% and investments focused on digitalization, process innovation, and energy transition.

The report, presented during the I consorzi industriali in Italia conference by Ficei, Federazione Italiana Consorzi ed Enti di Industrializzazione, indicates that industrial consortia are a key driver of national development. The study estimates there are around 20,700 local consortia units across Italy, representing 0.4% of the non-agricultural total.

These units employ 466,000 people (2.5% of the total workforce) and contribute 34 billion euros to the economy (3.2%) and 156 billion euros in revenue (3.7%). Regions like Abruzzo, Puglia, and Sardinia have the highest number of local units, reflecting their economic development levels. The Veneto and Marche regions, however, have the highest percentage of service-oriented units.

Industrial employees in consortia have a relative relevance higher than the Italian average, with 53.4% compared to 31.1%. In 2023, industrial consortiums showed a productivity of 75,411 euros per employee, compared to 57,574 euros for the national average, a difference of 17,837 euros per employee. The report also highlights increased manufacturing specialization among consortium regions and a preference for innovation and digitalization investments, as well as international market attention.

The 2026 projection shows that 53% of consortium units participate in strategic filiations, compared to 50.5% for the Italian average. Industries such as design, Made in Italy, agroalimentary, health, energy, environment, mobility, smart factory, aerospace, and maritime economy are particularly represented. Criticisms include the 74% of Ficei firms facing skill sourcing difficulties, compared to 68% for other firms, and the energy cost volatility concern, with 64.3% of consortium firms considering it a business prediction conditioner, compared to 54.6% of non-consortium firms.

The challenge for the coming years is to transform industrial presence into a network capable of accompanying firms through technological, energy, and organizational changes.