Silla Industries was founded two years ago by Alberto Stecca (CEO and Co-Founder) and Cristiano Griletti (Head of R&D) in the heart of Northeast Italy, precisely in the city of Padova, where it maintains and expands its presence in terms of both a dedicated production facility and management headquarters.
Today, the company is a start-up with significant numbers that seal their exponential growth. Silla has evolved from a small team to a team of more than 40 employees, including highly qualified figures. Domestic and private electric car charging solutions, represented by the Prism – Basic and Solar devices, are their current core business.
Interview with Alberto Stecca, CEO & Co-Founder of Silla Industries.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Alberto Stecca: Our business niche is the electric mobility sector. We promote home charging of vehicles by introducing wall-mounted charging stations of which we are manufacturers and innovators. We brought to the market the “Solar” feature in our devices that allows cars to be recharged with self-generated energy by means of photovoltaic systems.
Mobility now, more and more management of the electrified ecosystem tomorrow. Our goal is to make vehicle charging access convenient, efficient and smart, and our upcoming products confirm it.
E.E: What is the news about new products?
A.S: Two products in particular will transform our desire to innovate private and home charging into reality. Energy Hub 149 and Duke 44 were presented in POC form at the international trade shows we attended this year.
Energy Hub 149 promises to embrace the management of charging, home energy flows, and communications, all in one single device.
Breaking a disruptive technology into the market with a device like Duke 44 will bring the electric driver closer to semi-fast charging than ever before. With Duke 44, streamlined and efficient DC charging will be more accessible: in the forecourts of commercial establishments, in the parking lots of gyms, or in workplaces.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
A.S: There are two product ranges currently on the market that have received a great response from buyers. Prism Basic, an essential wall-mounted e-car charger, and Prism Solar, a smart charger that offers up to three charging modes and convenient remote management.
Both products show a strong future orientation, being able to guarantee an aftermarket upgrade in both hardware and software.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
A.S: I would consider it to be in the early stages. Electric car registrations still represent a minority percentage of the global figures. At the same time at the governmental level the debate is still very open, especially regarding the incentive mechanism whose intervention certainly serves to boost the sector.
As far as b2b is concerned, it is the hospitality businesses that are most concretely grasping the added value of offering recharging among the available services by equipping themselves with an on-site recharging point that allows them to quantify and identify recharging sessions.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
A.S: Wanting to consider the next 3 to 5 years, it is home charging that will be rewarded. The charging point made at home with the installation of the charging station represents the most convenient, affordable and safe access to recharge an electric vehicle.
However, looking further ahead, trends will involve “vehicle to” technology and DC charging made possible for home environments as well.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
A.S: At the time of its market launch Prism Solar introduced multiple features, including Solar and Night. The ability to recharge the car using surplus renewable energy, produced by a photovoltaic system, has provided a 100% green and cost-effective solution.
At the same time, the product allowed, through the Night mode, the scheduling of charging at subsidized rates-that is, at night and during holidays.
The roster of disruptive products, although not yet on the market, includes the before-mentioned Energy Hub 149 and Duke 44.
E.E: What estimations do you have for the rest of 2022?
A.S: The year 2022, now drawing to a close, has seen us planting the roots of what are our goals for 2023. These include internationalization and opening up to capital raising in order to drive development and growth.
Speaking in figures, the 5 million revenue of 2022 will most likely be doubled in 2023.