27
Nov
Manufacturing: revenues are increasing or stable for 7 out of 10 companies, but the sector is challenging the end of the Transition Plan 5.0, the search for qualified resources, and the impact of tariffs
MECSPE Observatory, presented during the opening of the third edition of the trade fair in Bari, highlights a strong focus on efficiency, automation, and digitalization.
Starting today and until November 27, the manufacturing innovation fair for Central and Southern Italy—MECSPE—returns to Bari: over 350 companies, more than 80 conferences, and 13 thematic halls for three days dedicated to training, technologies, and strategies for the future of Italian manufacturing
Bari, November 27, 2025 The manufacturing industry continues to be one of the most significant sectors for the Italian economy, with more than 490,000 active companies in the country. Data on sector performance show signs of resilience: in the first nine months of 2025, revenues increased or remained stable for 7 out of 10 companies compared to the same period of the previous year, and about 2 out of 3 (65%) are progressing consistently with the goals set for the current year. Three out of 10 companies declare themselves satisfied with their overall performance, with nearly 6 out of 10 moderately satisfied. These findings emerge from the MECSPE Observatory conducted by Nomisma for the second four-month period of 2025, presented today during the opening conference of the third edition of MECSPE Bari, the event dedicated to manufacturing innovation in Central and Southern Italy, organized by Senaf and hosted at the Fiera del Levante in Bari until November 29.
Italian manufacturing is approaching 2025 with a strategic focus on efficiency, automation, and digitalization. According to the Observatory, investments in innovation are concentrated primarily on these areas, followed by customization, energy transition, and sustainability. It is a cautious but competitiveness- and resilience-oriented sector. However, the context is not free from challenges. On the operational front, the order book shows that around 30% of companies consider it adequate or exceeding expectations, while nearly 40% view it as partially or highly insufficient. Looking ahead, about one-quarter of companies say they have confidence in the market for 2026–2027, while more than half express moderate confidence, as they face challenges such as the end of the Transition Plan 5.0, the introduction of tariffs, and persistent difficulty in finding suitable human resources.
Among these issues, the human-resources question is a key factor in ensuring efficiency and competitiveness in Italian manufacturing. The sector has long reported difficulties in finding qualified personnel: 40% of companies indicate problems in recruitment, and there remain issues linked to skills (38%) and labor costs (28%). On the digitalization front, however, the picture is more encouraging: 6 out of 10 companies report having reached a good level of digital maturity—a result consistent with the innovation and sustainability goals promoted by the Transition Plan 5.0. This progress is supported by internal digital skills: more than 8 out of 10 companies declare themselves very, fairly, or moderately satisfied with their staff’s competencies in technological innovation.
But when it comes to the Transition Plan 5.0—now approaching its expiration—the judgment of companies remains mixed: only 35% evaluate it positively or fairly positively, while about half consider the measures insufficient. This is a significant figure highlighting the crucial role of public support tools in sustaining the sector’s investments. To domestic concerns are added international uncertainties related to the introduction of tariffs: nearly 6 out of 10 companies express concrete worries, and a similar share (58%) says they have already experienced direct impacts on their business, prompting many companies to rethink commercial strategies and supply chains.
Expectations for the end of the year are divided between optimism and caution, with a manufacturing sector that continues to invest in innovation while having to deal with market uncertainties and structural complexities. And it is precisely in this evolving scenario that companies need reference points like MECSPE, which for over 20 years has supported entrepreneurs in their transformation processes by presenting the most innovative solutions for improving production processes.
The third edition of MECSPE Bari reaffirms itself as a reference platform for Central and Southern Italy: over 350 exhibiting companies, more than 80 conferences, and 13 thematic halls dedicated to training, technologies, and strategies for building the new Italian manufacturing sector. The opening event, a talk titled “Factories of the Future: People, Technologies and Territories for the New Manufacturing,” focused on the themes of the MECSPE Observatory along with the strategic role of human capital, technological innovation, and territorial development in transforming Italian manufacturing. Speakers included Gianna Elisa Berlingerio, Director of the Economic Development Department of the Apulia Region; Giovanna Iacovone, Deputy Mayor of Bari; Mario Aprile, President of Confindustria Bari and BAT; Angelo Giuliana, General Director of the Meditech Competence Center; Giuseppe Acierno, President of the Apulian Aerospace Technology District; and Ivo Nardella, President of Senaf – Tecniche Nuove Group. The event offered an opportunity to connect technologies, skills, and territories, providing companies with concrete tools to address market challenges and seize innovation opportunities.
“Our region is experiencing a phase of strong evolution, in which digital transformation, investment in innovation, and skills development intersect with the ability of territories to attract businesses and talent”
said Gianna Elisa Berlingerio, Director of the Economic Development Department of the Apulia Region.
“It is along this path that we are strengthening regional policies and tools to support the production system on a journey toward international openness and reinforcement of strategic supply chain”.
“Bari is investing decisively in emerging technologies and innovation,”
added Giovanna Iacovone, Deputy Mayor of the City of Bari.
“The city is becoming an ecosystem capable of supporting research, businesses, and new startups, transforming experimentation into real development. The work initiated in recent years has already generated skills, projects, and entrepreneurial initiatives that dialog directly with the sectors at the heart of MECSPE: digitalization, automation, and advanced manufacturing. Bari intends to continue growing along this trajectory, building a competitive territory attractive to talent and investment, as demonstrated by the numerous major groups that in recent years have chosen to establish their technology hubs here”
“MECSPE brings the best of technological innovation for the manufacturing industry to Bari”
said Mario Aprile, President of Confindustria Bari and BAT.
“And it is upon these new technologies that we can build a new industrial miracle here in Bari: a territory increasingly competitive, with new technologically advanced production investments. We are working toward this goal, to build a Bari industrial city-branding strategy, an agency for attracting manufacturing settlements capable of coordinating with local institutions and creating the best possible conditions for international investors”
“The major technological challenges facing companies today are mainly two: the implementation and management of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The first represents an extraordinary opportunity, while the second has become an essential necessity,”
stated Angelo Giuliana, General Director of the Meditech Competence Center.
“We see companies becoming increasingly aware, though often held back by a lack of skills and investment. The NRRP has played a decisive role: many companies have accelerated digitalization, automation, and competitiveness thanks to these resources. In terms of data, however, maturity is still uneven. The real leap will occur when companies understand that managing and protecting data is not a technical exercise but the foundation for adopting AI in a widespread and secure way, unlocking the full potential of manufacturing in Southern Italy”
“The MECSPE event is certainly an ideal setting to analyze the growth of the Apulian aerospace system, understand how technology and innovation have been the main drivers of growth, and how aerospace and defense manufacturing can continue to contribute significantly in terms of added value”
said Giuseppe Acierno, President of the Apulian Aerospace Technology District.
“In manufacturing, the skills challenge today is as decisive as the technological one. The data from the MECSPE Observatory confirm that difficulties in finding qualified resources with the right skills represent one of the main obstacles to business growth. In a context where automation, artificial intelligence, and digital process integration are becoming strategic levers, without skilled people and continuous training, innovation does not generate competitiveness or efficiency. Bridging this gap is essential, especially in dynamic regions like Apulia”
commented Ivo Nardella, President of Senaf and the Tecniche Nuove Group.
“This is precisely why MECSPE in Bari has a special value: it is a driver of connection between young talent, companies, and institutions of Southern Italy, and an accelerator of the training that the production system requires. Our commitment is to strengthen, through MECSPE, a manufacturing ecosystem capable of attracting skills, spreading technical culture, and supporting company growth. In a moment of great change, MECSPE confirms itself as the place where Italian manufacturing finds tools, ideas, and opportunities to become more innovative, digital, and efficient”
For more information: www.mecspebari.it
I saloni di MECSPE
Macchine e Utensili – Macchine utensili, Attrezzature, Utensili e Software di progettazione; Macchine lavorazione lamiera – Piegatura, Stampaggio, Taglio, Assemblaggio, Saldatura, Materiali e Software; Fabbrica Digitale – Informatica industriale, IoT, Sensoristica industriale, Cloud-manufacturing, Tecnologie di identificazione automatica, Applicazioni, dispositivi, strumentazione e componentistica intelligente per l’interpretazione e l’interconnessione dei processi; Logistica – Confezionamento, Imballaggio, Movimentazione, Material handling, Lean manufacturing, Software gestionale di magazzino, Supply chain management, Sistemi di Sicurezza, DPI, Terziarizzazione; Subfornitura Meccanica – Lavorazioni meccaniche di precisione, Carpenteria metallica, Costruzioni meccaniche, Fasteners, Fonderie, Minuterie, Lavorazioni del filo metallico, Lavorazioni industriali per conto terzi, Microlavorazioni; Elettronica Italia – Cem (contract electronics manufacturer), Cablaggi, Ems (electronics manufacturing service), Pcb (produttori di circuiti stampati), Studi di Ingegneria e progettazione; Eurostampi, plastica, gomma e compositi – Lavorazione materie plastiche, gomma e compositi, Macchine e impianti, Attrezzature ausiliarie, Materiali innovativi, Stampaggio, Estrusione, Imballaggio, Soffiaggio, Stampi, Modelli, Componenti normalizzati per stampi, Design, Software di simulazione e progettazione, Microlavorazioni; Additive Manufacturing – Stampa 3D, Prototipazione Rapida, Rapid Manufacturing, Sistemi e servizi per reverse engineering, Tecnologia additiva, Materiali, Servizi, Hardware: stampanti e scanner 3D, accessori, Software di simulazione e progettazione; Trattamenti e Finiture – Impianti per il trattamento delle superfici, Forni, Galvanica, Processi chimici ed elettronici, Lavaggio, Metallizzazione, Smaltatura, Zincatura, Prodotti e accessori per trattamenti, Trattamenti Termici, Verniciatura; Materiali non ferrosi e leghe – Lavorazioni di materiali non ferrosi (Alluminio, Titanio, Magnesio, Leghe Leggere), Pressofusioni, Fonderie, Lavorazioni industriali conto terzi, Tecnologie, Design, Engineering; Automazione e Robotica – Automazione e Robotica, Assemblaggio, Montaggio e manipolazione; Controllo e Qualità – Certificazione e controllo della qualità, Metrologia, Strumenti di misura, Prove di laboratorio, Taratura, Attrezzature di analisi, Visione; Power Drive – Organi di trasmissione meccanica, Oleodinamica, Pneumatica, Meccatronica, Controllo del movimento, Manutenzione, Aria compressa.
For more information: www.mecspebari.it | www.mecspe.com
For more information
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