What Simec does

Simec S.r.l. is a privately-held Italian industrial automation company founded in 1989 and headquartered in Castellarano, province of Reggio Emilia (Via Tiziano, 4). It designs, manufactures, and installs custom automation plants and systems, with its deepest specialization in the ceramic sector and, in particular, large-format ceramic slabs up to 1800x3600mm in size and 30mm in thickness. The company's product portfolio comprises five core lines: (i) robotic applications using anthropomorphic robots for manipulation, sorting, packaging, and palletizing; (ii) brushing and treatment machines with adjustable heads for large-slab surface finishing; (iii) transport and handling systems (tilting tables, roller conveyors, loading/unloading machines, centering devices); (iv) complete glazing lines including single/multi-disc cabins, the PAGODA nebulization system, and bell applicators for viscous glazes; and (v) powder and grit application machines, including the EXPO machine with an innovative dual-belt and motorized sieve system for micronized materials down to 0.03mm. The SuperGlossy technology, launched in February 2022, combines treatment product with mechanical application heads to deliver over 90 degrees of gloss across formats up to 2000mm wide.

Simec operates on a project-based revenue model that combines custom hardware sales with engineering services — consultancy, design, prototyping, installation, and ongoing technical assistance delivered by the same staff who designed each system. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; each project is quoted individually based on specifications and complexity, typically under multi-year contracts. The go-to-market is sales-led and direct: bilingual website with contact forms, presence at the Tecnargilla trade show, earned media in Il Sole 24 Ore and Il Distretto, and direct client consultation. The primary vertical is ceramic manufacturing (with named reference points among 'Italian ceramic district giants and large international groups'), and the company has also served marble, brick, glass, wood, automotive, packaging, educational/artistic, and furniture segments. Documented customers include SCG Ceramics (Thailand), Voronezh/Unitile (Russia, since 2019), and an Italian ceramic-plant constructor in a 20-year relationship. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and operates in compliance with the EU Machine Directive 2006/42/CE.

The business is structured as an Italian S.r.l. (Società a responsabilità limitata) with stated share capital of €46,800, founder-controlled, with no external institutional investment, no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no public listing. Headcount is reported at 11-50 employees, and operations are conducted from a single Castellarano site. The company is privately-held and independent, with no disclosed funding rounds, M&A activity, or leadership changes in the available data.

Name

Simec

Legal name

SIMEC S.r.l.

Website

https://simecit.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Simec is an Italian industrial automation company founded in 1989 that designs, manufactures, and installs custom automation plants for the ceramic industry and adjacent sectors, with deep specialization in large-format ceramic slab handling, brushing, glazing, and robotic material handling. It sells project-based bespoke machinery and engineering services directly to enterprise manufacturers in Italy, Russia, Thailand, and other markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Machinery

NAICS

Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conveying, Feeding & Accumulation Systems (Packaging Lines) (IMAHAOAK)

Keywords

• Industrial automation systems
• Ceramic machinery manufacturing
• Robotic material handling
• Surface treatment equipment
• Glazing line systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Castellarano

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom automation machinery and plants: Design, production and installation of custom industrial automation systems including robotic applications, brushing machines, transport systems, glazing lines, and powder application equipment. Revenue generated from project-based sales of bespoke machinery tailored to client specifications.
2. Engineering and consulting services: Preliminary consultation, technical engineering, prototyping, installation, and ongoing technical assistance services. Services include feasibility studies, technical design, and custom prototyping for unique automation challenges.
3. Technical assistance and maintenance: Ongoing technical support, maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting services provided by the same engineering staff who designed the automation system. Remote and on-site assistance available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Simec designs, manufactures, and installs custom industrial automation plants and systems, with a primary focus on the ceramic industry. Its core offering covers robotic handling systems using anthropomorphic robots, brushing and surface-treatment machines (including the proprietary SuperGlossy finishing technology), transport and handling equipment for large-format slabs, complete glazing lines, and machines for dry application of powders and grits. The company delivers fully engineered, project-based solutions for clients in the ceramic sector as well as in marble, brick, glass, wood, automotive, packaging, and furniture industries, supported by in-house consultancy, design, prototyping, installation, and lifetime technical assistance.

Product overview

Simec is an industrial automation company offering a comprehensive portfolio of mechanical systems and machinery for the ceramic industry and beyond. The core product offerings include Robotic Applications for material handling and palletizing, Brushing Machines and Treatment Lines for surface finishing of ceramic slabs, Transport and Handling Systems for material movement, Complete Glazing Lines for ceramic coating applications, and Machines for Powder and Grit Application. The flagship SuperGlossy system provides advanced finishing technology achieving over 90 degrees of gloss on ceramic slabs. Additionally, Simec offers a full suite of services including Consultancy, Design and Engineering, Prototyping, Installation, and Technical Assistance. The company operates on a project-based model, delivering both standard machines and fully customized automation solutions tailored to specific client requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EXPO: A machine using an innovative double belt and motorized sieve system for uniform distribution of powders, designed for application of micronized, atomized powders, ceramic glazes based on glass, grits, and flakes up to 0.03mm minimum size.
• SuperGlossy

Products and services

• Robotic Applications (Applicazioni Robotiche) Integrated automation systems built around anthropomorphic robots with custom mechanical end-effectors, designed for manipulation, sorting, packaging, and palletizing of materials of all types and formats, including large and very large ceramic slabs. Targeted at ceramic and other industrial manufacturers needing end-of-line and in-line material handling.
• Brushing Machines and Treatment Lines (Spazzolatrici e Linee di Trattamento) Custom-engineered machines and complete treatment lines for brushing, polishing, abrasion and anti-stain treatment of ceramic and other materials, featuring adjustable brushing heads, constant brushing pressure, quick tool change, resistance to high work pressures, and optimal treatment penetration into ceramic porosity. Targeted at ceramic producers requiring consistent surface finishing of large slabs.
• Transport and Handling Systems (Trasporti e Movimentazione) Custom and standard transport and handling equipment including compensators, curves, turntables, roller conveyors, centering devices, loading and unloading machines, and tilting and rotating tables, engineered for moving materials of different formats including large and very large ceramic slabs. Targeted at industrial manufacturers needing line integration and material movement automation.
• Complete Glazing Lines (Linee Smaltatura Complete) Complete custom glazing lines for ceramic and brick materials, including single and multi-disc cabin machines, PAGODA nebulization systems, veil machines for glaze and grit application, bell applicators for viscous ceramic glazes, and accessories for controlling glaze quantity and density. Targeted at ceramic and brick producers.
• Machines for Powder and Grit Application (Macchine per Applicazioni Polveri e Graniglie) Custom machines for the dry application of micronized materials, atomized powders, ceramic glazes based on glass, grits and flakes down to 0.03mm minimum size, including the EXPO dual-belt and motorized sieve system for uniform distribution. Available for different formats including large slabs. Targeted at ceramic producers requiring precise decorative surface effects.
• Consultancy (Consulenza) Expert preliminary consultation focused on understanding the specific needs, expectations and production requirements of industrial clients in order to scope custom automation solutions. Targeted at prospective and existing industrial customers seeking automation guidance.
• Design and Engineering (Progettazione) Design and engineering of industrial automation systems combining years of ceramic-sector experience with ongoing innovation, producing solutions intended to increase productivity, improve quality, enhance safety and reduce costs. Targeted at industrial clients commissioning new automation lines or upgrades.
• Prototyping (Prototipazione) Custom prototyping of new automation systems, ranging from modified standard machines to fully custom industrial plants, for clients with unique or unprecedented production requirements. Targeted at industrial manufacturers with non-standard automation challenges.
• Installation (Installazione) On-site installation of Simec automation systems at client facilities, including setup, integration with existing production lines, testing and verification of operational readiness. Targeted at industrial clients purchasing Simec machinery.
• Technical Assistance (Assistenza Tecnica) Engineering-level maintenance, intervention, upgrades and technical assistance for installed Simec systems, provided remotely or on-site by the same engineering staff who designed the equipment, ensuring continuity and deep product knowledge in support. Targeted at existing clients of Simec automation systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 30 years of experience in industrial automation sector
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Poppi Clementino: Poppi Clementino designs and manufactures material handling and grinding systems for ceramic and abrasive industries. Its conveying and handling equipment overlap with Simec's transport and movement systems.
• SITI B&T Group: SITI B&T Group supplies complete plants, kilns, and material handling systems for ceramic tile production. It competes with Simec in transport, handling, and integrated production line solutions.
• ICF & Welko: ICF & Welko manufactures machinery and plants for the ceramic industry, including glazing, handling, and finishing equipment. It is a direct comparable in complete glazing lines and ceramic plant automation.
• Cefla: Cefla is an Italian industrial group providing finishing, coating, and automation solutions for ceramics, glass, and other materials. Its finishing and surface-treatment lines directly overlap Simec's brushing and treatment systems.
• B&T Group: B&T Group is an Italian supplier of complete plants and machinery for the ceramic industry, including grinding, polishing, sorting, and material handling. It is a direct competitor in slab processing and finishing equipment.
• System Ceramics (Coesia): System Ceramics, part of the Coesia group, designs and manufactures automated systems for the ceramic industry, including handling, sorting, and packaging lines. It directly overlaps Simec's robotic handling, transport, and palletizing offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Sacmi: Sacmi is a large Italian cooperative specializing in machinery for ceramics, packaging, and plastics. It is a broad incumbent that competes with Simec in complete ceramic plant lines and end-of-line automation, but on a far larger global scale.
• Keda Industrial Group: Keda Industrial Group is a large Chinese manufacturer of complete ceramic machinery and equipment. It is a broad incumbent competitor in ceramic production lines, with cost and scale advantages.

Others

• Gruppo Torrecid: Torrecid is a global supplier of ceramic inks, glazes, and frits. While not a direct machinery competitor, it is an adjacent supplier into the same ceramic manufacturers Simec serves and can be a partner or ecosystem peer.
• ABK Group Industrie Ceramiche: ABK Group is a major Italian ceramic tile manufacturer and a representative customer of Italian ceramic automation suppliers. It is a downstream peer illustrating the type of anchor customer Simec's technology is sold into.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simec