Innovation declined to security
15 November 2024
Introduction to CE Marking of Construction Products
12 March 2025Our tour of discovery of Italian wire drawing mills this time took us to an enchanting place: the Ledro Valley, in the province of Trento. Here operates a company that, in terms of organizational structure is really quite different from the others we have encountered so far. Let's find out together why.
An isolated territory, well away from industrial areas, two bankruptcies and a strong need to create employment, with these premises, just over thirty years ago, Metallurgica Ledrense was born, a cooperative in Tiarno di Sopra (TN) dedicated to the production of wires, mainly for agriculture and then for industry in general. A unique reality in the sector, born from the bottom up, which saw the workers of two firms that closed their doors organize themselves independently, with the help of some local institutions and the Province of Trento. An enterprise where the word cooperation finds its highest expression, where 13 of its 22 human resources are partners and therefore owners, and where salaries are equal for everyone, from the worker to the president. And it is the latter, Fabio Tiboni, who tells us how this drawing mill, despite the many difficulties encountered, especially at the beginning, has managed to carve out an important space for itself in the Italian market and also abroad.
From wire manufacturers to processors of the same
"Of the initial period of this real adventure, which I joined even though I had never worked as a wire-drawer before, I remember that one of the biggest obstacles was being able to regain credibility with the raw material suppliers with whom the old ownership still had debts.
Goal: more exports
"Our penetration into foreign markets, particularly in Europe and a little in the United States as well, began a little over a decade ago, thanks to the production of Zincal zinc-aluminum coated wires," the president informs, "but now we are counting on increasing this percentage,
especially with gabions; it will be much more difficult, in fact, to grow exports with our historical product, i.e., wire, since our biggest competitor in galvanized wire a couple of years ago was acquired by one of the largest raw material suppliers, who, therefore, in the dual capacity of wire rod and wire producer (thus also our direct competitor) will certainly make life more complicated for us by being able to offer wire at more
At this stage a great and effective contribution was made by Vito Oliari, who had held the position of director in the last bankrupt company and thus was able to put all his acquired experience and knowledge at the service of the newly born Metallurgica Ledrense, of which he was the first president. To him I owe my entry into the cooperative, which took place in June 1987, with the task of operator in the galvanizing shop. Later, with growing passion, in the production departments I did a little bit of everything, including maintenance and then got to deal with the commercial side and, finally, with management."
A little more than 30 years after the start of its “engines,” today the Trentino company in the wire drawing scene is in a prestigious position, being able to meet the demands of about 300 customers, operating in its two reference sectors, agriculture, which absorbs 70 percent of the 1,000 tons of wire churned out each month, and industry, to which, on the other hand, a share of 20 percent of total production is destined
above. The remaining 10 percent share is not sold to any customer, but remains in house to become, under the LedroSteel brand, created about five years ago, electro-welded mesh gabions with zinc-aluminum alloy coating. With a box structure, made of quick-assembly panels, with patented folds, they find multiple applications: in slope support, river banks, embankment consolidation, street furniture, etc."
Always on the hunt for new solutions.
"This last offer is bound to grow in the future," explains Fabio Tiboni, "because we are reserving it for you. more and more energy, aware that diversification of production is a compulsory choice in order to secure a less problematic future. And the results achieved so far with electrowelded mesh gabions, namely the achievement of the European structural certification
(the only ones who can boast of it in the Old Continent) and sales that have doubled year by year, encourage us to continue searching for new solutions. Also with this in mind, a year ago we invested 500 thousand euros in a new project, which we are developing in collaboration with the University of Trento, aimed at the creation of a special product, again inherent to our business, about which, however, we prefer not to say more at the moment."
From the president's office we move to the production areas where we have a chance to see at work the machinery from which wire and gabions spring, signed, respectively, Metallurgica Ledrense and LedroSteel. In the drawing department, three multi-step drawing machines (one with 7 one with 8 and one with 10 steps) and a monoblock used for larger diameter wires give their best; in the one reserved for gabions, on the other hand, bending presses and machines for assembling the welded nets that will then go on to form the gabions, available in three versions, are working at full speed:
“LedroSteel Box,” ideal for erosion control, retaining structures and soil stabilization;
LedroSteel Ecobox, with 4 mm diameter single wire mesh, are the most economical and are completed with the fill material on the final placement area; “GJM Steel Box,” a solution that stands out for its practicality, elegance and eco-friendliness in street furniture design and fencing.
Breakthrough comes with zinc-aluminum alloy coatings
“In the history of Metallurgica Ledrense,” says president, Fabio Tiboni, “a fundamental turning point came in 2007 with the purchase of the furnace to perform Galfan zinc-aluminum alloy coatings, coatings that can give the wire excellent corrosion protection. Thus were born the wires called Zincal AR/40, Zincal AR/07 and Zincal AR/80 for anti-hail plants, with an elongation, strength and durability equal to those made of stainless steel, but with a cost three times lower, thanks to which, in our main outlet channel, namely agriculture, we have been able to pull ourselves out of the welter of normal wires and thus compete with the largest competing industries.”
Thinner than traditional zinc coating, benefiting optimal weldability and formability, the Galfan coating can be recognized by its slightly cellular-textured metal surface.
The eutectic composition of 93% Zn and 7% Al improves coating adhesion and enables a micro-scale lamellar coating structure, making such a coating very ductile.
