Regazzi SA is a family-owned holding operating in the construction and metalworking sector. The company was founded in Ticino, Switzerland in 1946, when, after WWII, Roberto Regazzi opened a blacksmith workshop in Gordola. Roberto made wrought iron gates and art pieces. In the 60s, Roberto’s son, Efrem Regazzi, took over the management of the business, transforming it from a small workshop into an industrial reality.
The company continued its growth, expanding the range offered to metal work and to the processing of metal sheets for industrial use. The turn of the century coincided with the second generational change and the entrance of Fabio Regazzi. Taking on the direction of the group, Fabio finalized the acquisition of Marcmetal SA, launched the project of the new production facility and then, with the gradual exit of his father Efrem, from all operational activities, he took control of the company. The Regazzi Group, in 2021, celebrated 75 years of activity.
Interview with Fabio Regazzi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gruppo Regazzi SA.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Fabio Regazzi: The companies making up the Regazzi Group, led by a holding company controlled by four brothers, are: Regazzi SA that works in research and development, production and marketing of roller shutters throughout Switzerland and some European countries; Regazzi Serramenti e Facciate SA working in the design, sale and installation of window and door frames and facades; Regazzi Schermature solari SA markets a wide range of sun protection systems such as roller shutters, awnings, pergolas, parasols, venetian blinds, mosquito nets, sun sails, indoor blinds; Marcmetal SA produces and installs letterboxes and tailor made garage doors; Stilcolor SA’s core business includes industrial coating and metal sheet processing; Repi SA works in real estate and finally Singenia SAGL deals with the design of automation and smart systems for private customers as well as companies. Each company has its own separate organizational chart and operates independently, but it shares certain central services with the Group, such as accounting and logistics.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
F.R: Our key product is a stackable roller shutter called Plial®, that we have improved throughout the years and that we produce and market with great success. Plial® in its CWS version – Corner Window Solution, won the Red Dot Award in 2019. Our own products such as Lineal®, Compact® as well as the portfolio of marketed products are continuously updated and revised in order to meet the needs of our customers. As far as internal development is concerned, we keep our focus on comfort, design and quality with our roller shutters in their different variants, our custom-made garage doors and our letter and parcel boxes. We also focus on metal sheet processing, window and door frames and facades as well as industrial coating.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
F.R: In addition to our own products, as mentioned above, we market and install other sun systems of the highest quality, bioclimatic or canvas pergolas, awnings, parasols, sun sails, venetian and vertical blinds and we also deal with building automation, designing and implementing home automation systems for private customers, stores, the HORECA sector and factories.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
F.R: At national and international level, we have a sales network of 600 agents. At local level we operate directly in the B2B and B2C markets. We are currently facing a digitalization process that will allow new commercial approaches to markets. At the same time, we are developing our own sun protection products sales network in several European countries. Whereas, regarding our Gordola industrial facility, we are investing in product development and new industrial processes. In the medium term, we will continue to preside over our Canton, maintaining and expanding our production capacity and extending our commercial networks by consolidating the national market and some prospective markets in northern Europe.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
F.R: In January 2022, the prices of raw materials, including aluminum, were still on the rise, compared to the same month in 2021. The current dynamic is also characterized by rising energy costs, which are weighing on manufacturing all around the world. The industrial production index has been characterized by strong growth, leading it to a peak in March 2021. Over the course of the summer of 2021, this growth reached a plateau and in the final months of the year it gradually lost intensity. Uncertainty about key factors such as the cost of energy and the difficulties in sourcing that are affecting global supply chains remains high, also due to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis. It is therefore very difficult to make medium/long-term forecasts regarding market trends. Despite these concerns, a certain optimism remains for the months to come.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
F.R: We can’t tell you much, because it is a brand-new product that will see the market later this year, but we can tell you that it is a 2-in-1 product that brings together protection from insects and the sun.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2022?
F.R: In the course of 2022, we will be presenting some rather crucial innovations, both in terms of sun protection products and letterboxes. The first innovation will be presented in Nuremberg in July at the Frontale Fensterbau trade fair. In addition to the launch of new products, we have almost completed the installation, on the roof of our plant in Gordola, of more than 1,500 latest generation solar panels, for an installed capacity of about 600 kWh and an expected annual production of more than 600,000 kWh, thus contributing to the achievement of the goal of climate neutrality that Switzerland has set for 2050.