Mermec conquers Ferrosud and targets 1 billion in revenues

The Mermec group, a made-in-Italy excellence and leader in advanced technologies for rail transport (diagnostic trains, signalling systems, electric traction, telecommunications), has closed the Ferrosud operation through the creation of the newco Mermec Ferrosud and is aiming to double its turnover within the next five years, taking its revenues from the 500 million forecast this year to 1 billion. Vito Pertosa, president of the Angel Group, of which Mermec is a part, told Il Sole 24 Ore. Mermec is headquartered in Monopoli (Bari). Angel holding, in addition to the railway sector, is active in mechatronics and aerospace. But let us go in order.

On Wednesday, 22 May 2024, the Mermec group signed the closing with the Mimit (Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy) safeguard fund for the relaunch of the historic Matera railway plant, which in the past belonged to Efim and Fiat and then went into extraordinary administration. At the beginning of 2023, the Apulian group had undertaken the acquisition of Ferrosud, a company that has long been a reference point in Europe in the production of rolling stock and technologies for rail and tram transport. Now Mermec Ferrosud will go back to producing green trains and for hundreds of workers in the area a new season opens, one that could revive the glories of the past.

Cavalier Pertosa explains: 'According to the agreement with Mimit, Mermec Ferrosud's share capital is divided as follows: 28.5 million is owned by the Mermec group, while Invitalia (the fund manager) owns 23 million equity plus 5 million Poc (bond instrument). We have committed from the outset to hiring the 65 Ferrosud workers laid off and we intend to continue along this path. The objective is to fill the plant with workers and return to the numbers of the past, when almost a thousand workers were employed at the Matera plant'. The Mermec group has planned around 70 million investment to relaunch the factory, which specialises in the production of electric diagnostic trains capable of reaching 200 kilometres per hour through the mains and 120 kilometres per hour on battery power.

Pertosa continues: 'At the moment, Mermec Ferrosud has an order portfolio of 30 trainsets, plus safety technology systems, destined for a variety of customers: in Italy (Rfi) and very much abroad (buyers include companies from France, Portugal, New Zealand and Belgium)'. In addition, a portion of the vast area on which the Mermec Ferrosud plant stands (235 thousand square metres covering the municipalities of Matera, Santeramo and Altamura) is occupied by Vaimoo (the CEO is Matteo Pertosa, Vito's son) with its production of electric bicycles for sharing, which will also be featured at the forthcoming G7.

Pertosa continues: 'Mermec Ferrosud's employment growth will come through the hiring of workers currently laid offin the crisis areas of the territory between Puglia and Basilicata. Near Matera we count at least three: the sofa district; Melfi, with the Stellantis plant and its allied industries; and the former Ilva plant in Taranto'.