Campi Flegrei: boating, aerospace and tourism, businesses resist

Bradyseism is once again tormenting the area of the Phlegraean Fields, the one that overlooks the Gulf of Pozzuoli, from Bagnoli to Monte di Procida, passing through Baia, Bacoli, Quarto, part of Marano and a small area of Giugliano, and Naples. This area has been hit by a great deindustrialisation that has still left its marks on the territory since the 1980s. The best known and most impactful example is Bagnoli, but along the Phlegrean coast the skeletons of old abandoned public factories are still numerous. At the end of the century, the idea was to replace industry with tourism, which found great attractions in environmental beauty and historical and archaeological heritage. But the conversion took place only in part: there are many industrial presences in the Campi Flegrei area, even with examples of excellence, but in smaller numbers than in the past; tourism has developed, but limited to a local offer (there is a lack of international operators) and a demand also from Italian or even Campanian visitors. Has bradyseism had a bearing on the slow development of the Phlegraean area? The frequent earthquake tremors, the alarm at all hours of the day, the worry that structures might collapse are a source of great stress for citizens, but business has mostly organised itself to cope and is not thinking of relocating.

In Arco Felice, in the municipality of Pozzuoli, we find Prysmian's main factory: excellence in the production of submarine cables. "The factory," say the company, "has close ties with Pozzuoli and many of its employees come from the city or the surrounding area. Prysmian's leadership in submarine cables would not be possible without the production know-how of the Arco Felice plant. The skills of the people working there are what enable the company to deliver complex turnkey contracts. An important reality also for the allied industries it feeds. "Earthquake? Bradyseism? They have no impact on our production'. Not far away on Lake Fusaro, a stone's throw from the Casina Vanvitelliana, Mbda has a missile production plant, and last March announced a major expansion in the area. While also in Bacoli, Leonardo builds radar systems. Activities to which European rearmament is giving an enormous boost.

"We have an industrial sector that counts quite a few excellences,' summarises Salvatore Lucci, president of the Zoonale Territorial Grouping of the Phlaegrean area and islands, 'with aerospace companies, shipbuilding and nautical companies... I can mention Leonardo, GCE Generali electronic constructions, Fiart Mare, Sud Cantieri and others. These realities do not want to delocalise; on the contrary, they are strengthening. The Naples Industrial Union has started to set up a table with all the Phlaegrean companies to encourage them to stay in the area'.

This also applies to SMEs. One example is Dielle Srl, with 90 employees and a turnover of 24 million, which deals with industrial automation in Monte di Procida. "We have other locations, but we are staying in Monte di Procida, in fact we are investing in another factory," says CEO Maria De Lillo.

Living with the earth shaking, with the ground rising 1.5 centimetres a month and the sea level dropping, leaving marks of the past on the port quays. There is an important example of industrial reconversion and it is that of the former Olivetti in Pozzuoli. "It is a unique reality," comments Edoardo Imperiale, director of the Experimental Leather Station, one of the activities set up there, "we are in an iconic place, the factory wanted by Adriano Olivetti. Here with us are Wind3, Vodafone, the CNR, Tigem: we are in a true technology and services ecosystem. As for the Leather Station, it does research, training for the tanning industry, and has an Academy. In the district, the former Olivetti structure is robust and safe. We do a lot of smart working, but also face-to-face work. In June there will be an event'.