End producers of complex sub-systems.

At the top of the supply chain there are some large companies and production units of important companies and industrial groups such as Alcatel Alenia Space, Alenia Aeronautica, Avio Spa, Galileo Avionica and Microtecnica. They head the development and production of avionic and electronic systems, radar, flight simulators, space propellers, scientific satellite systems and space infrastructure, models for aeronautic propellers, aircraft and aircraft sections : their work ranges from civil transport to scientific applications, from telecommunications to defence. There is also the construction of ultra light aircraft, which is undertaken by a couple of small companies. Alongside the major enterprises, a group of over 20 medium sized production companies have developed, specialised in the production of parts, components or entire systems for the aeronautical and space sectors.

These companies produce parts - generally based on designs and specifications supplied by the buyer - or carry out specialised types of work; the activities vary from the production of mechanical parts, to the assembly of electronic circuits, from pressed steel to thermal and surface treatments, from the construction of moulds, tools and equipment, to electric cabling. Many have their principal markets in other industrial sectors, such as the automotive or machining industry, but have the experience, technological know-how and technical-production capability needed to satisfy the demands of the companies at the end and intermediate positions in the aerospace supply chain.

To complete the industrial supply chain, there are companies which operate alongside the manufacturing process and provide technical industrial services. Their production varies from project design to model making, from industrial design to structural calculation, but also includes the manufacturing of specialised softwares and the carrying out of laboratory tests.

Technological innovation is a crucial feature : in almost half of the companies, internal research and co-operation with outside bodies have led to the development of specific know-how in the aeronautical and space sectors. At least one company out of three has its own laboratory, and it is common to use external ones for experiments, tests and analysis ; one enterprise out of three participates in international programmes and projects and co-operates with Italian and overseas research centres. Particularly relevant is the Polytechnic University of Torino, whose activity is important for experimentation in the engineering field.

It is not just the large companies, the market leaders, who are present in overseas markets ; this presence extends throughout the aerospace industry : more than half the SMEs have overseas buyers, from both Europe and beyond, amongst their clients. Export represents in fact a relevant part of their turnover : the last data recorded by the Italian National Institute of Statistics, show that in 2006 Piemonte detained 17% of national exports and 11% of the imports of the sector, respectively corresponding to almost 535 million euro and more than 251 million euro. In 2006, Piedmontese exports were mainly directed to Germany (28%), the UK (17%) and France (12,3%). Outside Europe, main purchasers are the US and Canada, which recorded in 2006 an enormous surplus compared to the previous year : + 40,6% for the States and +98,7% for Canada. In several cases, the international presence takes the form of agreements with overseas partners, whether purely for commercial ends, production, or the exchange of know-how, and sometimes also by the creation of branches and units in the most relevant countries. The capacity to face international competition is strictly linked to quality : most of the companies are capable of meeting the demands of the buyers who must respect standards imposed by product or process certification, or specific quality standards in the sector.

The figures for the aerospace industry in Piemonte :

Number of companies :