In Irpinia, businesses are on the rise, driven by history, exports and the Special Economic Zone (ZES)

The hope, which is by no means unspoken, is that the new infrastructure – the high-speed rail line alone is estimated to have a total economic impact of 4.4 billion and create 62,000 jobs, according to a study by RFI and Svimez – a boost similar to that brought about in the 1960s by the diversion of the A16 Naples–Canosa motorway route around these hairpin bends. That was the legacy of the Irpinian minister Fiorentino Sullo; Then came the era of Ciriaco De Mita and Nusco as the ‘capital’ – a term used ironically to refer to one of the nine existing industrial estates (in addition to the four ASI industrial development zones and many more PIPs, according to the local councils themselves). At that time, under Law 219/81, business tycoons from the North arrived in this province, which had been devastated by the 1980 earthquake – 3,000 deaths, destroyed villages, delayed relief efforts and a massive blow to local businesses. Now these are the veterans of an economic fabric “which, with the new generations, is definitively breaking away from that more rural past,” summarises Marco De Matteis, CEO of the agri-food group of the same name, “in favour of a new economy more open to international markets. ‘But with a strong commitment to the local area.’ A dynamism that outweighs the persistent challenges, which at times even affect essential services such as the water and sewerage networks.

Thus, in the same industrial area of Morra De Sanctis – a town of 1,400 inhabitants – the aerospace hub is growing, featuring Ema/Rolls Royce and a leading local pharmaceutical company, Altergon, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of medicated plasters and hyaluronic acid (turnover of 56 million in 2002, 90 million in 2025). Acca Software SpA has doubled its turnover, rising from 16.7 million to 33.9 million euros in six years thanks to its insights into Open BIM technology – ‘which we brought to Italia’, they claim – and investment in skilled staff in Bagnoli Irpino, 4 km from Montella, where it all began in an engineering practice at the height of the post-war reconstruction. Or take the De Matteis group, which has seen its revenue more than double with the Armando pasta project (from 100 to 240 million over 20 years) and the pride of a fully integrated production cycle, from the mill to the pasta factory, at its two plants in Flumeri: here, where Iveco once produced coaches, other businesses processing flour or meat have now sprung up around De Matteis. And amongst these industrial units, industry has joined forces with agriculture, and the regeneration of the local area has taken precedence over the struggling automotive sector. ‘We have a direct relationship with farmers – 800 producers from Tuscany southwards, but above all here in Irpinia and Puglia – and we have developed a set of cultivation guidelines, born,’ explains the CEO, ‘from the philosophy of our forebears: the very same philosophy that led us to become a benefit corporation.’

About ten kilometres into the heart of the Apennines, next to the Grottaminarda motorway junction, lies the Frigento industrial estate, where a former eyewear start-up with two employees, Essequadro, which grew out of a family tradition of opticians, has become a business with a turnover of 9.5 million, up 23 per cent on 2024 and already up 26 per cent in the first half of 2026, thanks to “new markets such as Russia and the consolidation of existing ones, for our own brands and the eyewear manufactured for leading fashion houses. “Essential for us,” says CEO Stefano Scauzillo - “is our in-depth knowledge of the sector, the exceptionally high calibre of staff we can rely on, and our strong sense of belonging to the local area,” he explains, announcing the forthcoming application to the Special Economic Zone (ZES) and the imminent expansion of the factories. “But always one step at a time.” In keeping with the local philosophy.

Examples and stories of entrepreneurs – such as Carlo Matarazzo of the long-established Cosmopol; Emilio De Vizia, with his industrial plant installation firm; or Mive, founded by Antonio Verderosa, in the energy sector; or Feudi di San Gregorio, led by Antonio Capaldo, which has become one of the best-known wineries in Southern Italy – all of whom have grown their businesses – as has also been the case in the Solofra tanning district – and generated related economic activity. Alongside big names such as Vicenzi in Nusco, Zuegg in Mango sul Calore or Ferrero with its vegan Nutella in Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi, a symbol of the devastation of 1980. Or, among the multinationals, Stellantis (1,500 employees); Denso Thermal System (750); CoFren (part of the Wabtec Group, which manufactures train brakes, 200 employees); the Bruno Group, which manufactures agricultural machinery, and Sediver, a producer of glass insulators.

“We are seeing steady growth, which has consolidated since the pandemic, with increases in revenue and new jobs,” summarises Angelo Petitto, president of the Irpinia industrialists’ association, who is proud to represent a region where “there are almost no vacant plots left in the industrial estates”, he says. That is not to say there are no difficulties in sectors such as the automotive industry, where “around 600 jobs” have been lost across various companies, according to the calculations of the provincial secretary of CGIL FIOM, who speaks of industrial relations based on a “constructive approach, particularly given the small to medium size of many businesses”. It is precisely for these businesses that “the ZES has been helpful through reduced social security contributions and, even more so, through the simplification of red tape”, analyses Petitto, who identifies one of the drivers of growth in the generational shift that has strengthened the region’s international profile. For a long time, it was not difficult to find workers here. Now, however, this is set to become a priority in light of the 17,000 young people who have left over the last ten years, according to the CGIA of Mestre.

As a result, specialist staff in particular – such as those sought by Acca Software or Altergon – are recruited directly by the companies. “We collaborate constantly with universities and research organisations,” say representatives from Acca Software. “We have specific protocols, which have encouraged some employees to return from other roles; that’s why we place great emphasis on staff wellbeing,” admits Domenico Bruno, Altergon’s head of human resources. People and the local area: once again, an inseparable pairing: “We bought half a hill to build a solar park in a little-known protected area.” Like this area, which is also growing in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sectors, centred around the Biogem research centre in Ariano Irpino, founded by former minister Ortensio Zecchino.

The widespread regret is that ‘growth could be greater’, if, for example, Altergon had not been forced to shut down for a month and a half last year due to problems with the water mains; or if various road-widening projects had been completed. Not to mention the sewerage system in the Cervinara industrial estate. ‘Based on the ZES model, it would be important to establish hinterland free zones for these inland areas, relative to the ports of Naples and Salerno: the absence of tariffs,’ explains the president of Confindustria Avellino, ‘would attract investors and generate positive feedback loops.’ This would enable continued growth by focusing on people and the local area.