SACMI was founded in 1919 in the town of Imola, Italy, on the initiative of 9 young mechanics and blacksmiths united by the same ideal: work as a means to improve their social standing and that of the community.
From its origins as a workshop for ‘small mechanical repairs’, the 1930s saw SACMI produce its first own-brand machines, mainly for the nascent agro-industrial sector. During the bombing of the Second World War, SACMI’s own workers risked their lives to save the machines and equipment.
From its origins as a workshop for ‘small mechanical repairs’, the 1930s saw SACMI produce its first own-brand machines, mainly for the nascent agro-industrial sector. During the bombing of the Second World War, SACMI’s own workers risked their lives to save the machines and equipment.
In the immediate post-war years, SACMI was among the first companies to get back on its feet. Between 1948 and the early 1950s it developed two key innovations that would make company history: the first ceramic press and the first complete machine for crown caps.
Between 1948 and the early 1950s SACMI developed two key innovations that would make company history: the first ceramic press and the first complete machine for crown caps.
Years of intense development followed as SACMI worked alongside the growing Italian ceramic and packaging industries.
The vocation for ‘plant engineering’ began to take root. This saw the development of comprehensive solutions, from raw material to finished product, especially in the ceramic sector. Expansion into foreign markets began, with the first branches opening in Spain and Brazil in the 1960s. Other overseas subsidiaries and offices would soon follow across all Group businesses.
By 1963, exports were already accounting for more than 50% of SACMI’s revenues.
In 1989 the SACMI Research Center was established. From 1990 to 1994 SACMI developed the compression technology that would become the world’s plastic cap manufacturing benchmark, flanking the historical crown cap business. The development of preform machines, bottling lines and labeling machines also put the company in a position to supply complete plants to the packaging sector.
The 2000s saw SACMI enter new areas, such as chocolate processing and packaging machines. In 2008 we entered the Metal Powder sector, the first step towards a strong, well organized presence in the automotive sector. Expertise in ceramics continued to grow, resulting in the launch of Continua+ technology, now the global benchmark for slab and sub-size forming. At the same time, SACMI developed Deep Digital, a new approach to integrated digital control of surface decoration-glazing.
This was followed by the creation of a Business Unit that focuses on developing Advanced Technologies and Materials, the aim being to draw on the skills already acquired by the Group and intercept new opportunities for growth, especially in sectors linked to electric mobility and high-performance components.
The 2020s see SACMI pushing ahead with investments in process automation, digitalization and sustainability. For example, the ‘circular economy’ concept was approached from a plant engineering perspective. This involved the development of systems for the complete recovery of raw materials and water purification. In parallel, a complete re-think of thermal processes focused on alternative fuels and efficient heat recovery so that individual machines or even entire plants can run on ‘zero fuel’, accelerating the decarbonization of processes.
These activities go hand in hand with the Research & Development of eco-sustainable materials (e.g. for the packaging sector) and the technological progress needed to implement the transition to a greener industry.
On one hand, recent years have seen digitalization and artificial intelligence and, on the other, an even sharper focus on the core businesses of ceramics, packaging, and advanced materials/technologies. In parallel, SACMI has completed its range of ceramic finishing lines, established a new Intralogistics Division and invested in new process control systems, in which the ‘eyes’ of the machine join forces with the worker to create newer, better products while providing increasingly sustainable, efficient and environment- and resource-friendly production.
Today, the SACMI Group includes more than 70 manufacturing, distribution, and service companies in 25 countries worldwide, and stands out for the most advanced standards of quality, innovation, and customer service. The SACMI brand and logo are recognized and protected in over 100 countries.