How FICEP invests for success – CEO Christian Colombo talks to ISMR

Our CEO, Ing. Christian Colombo, outlines FICEP’s key investment strategy to expand its global footprint. He also highlights a new steel fabrication machinery design philosophy, with an eye on AI, to meet challenges in a changing world.

During the SCHWEISSEN & SCHNEIDEN exhibition, where we presented our latest innovation – the GEMINI LASER, a revolutionary system that combines mechanical processing with laser cutting – together with the SABER welding robot, our CEO Ing. Christian Colombo was interviewed by the UK magazine ISMR. In the interview, he also outlined FICEP’s investment strategy aimed at expanding the company’s global presence.

GUNNING FOR GROWTH

“This year will be our best year ever for sales and orders. We have made a lot of key investments this year, such as opening a new facility, from greenfield, in Atlanta (the United States). We bought 20 acres and are currently building an 8000 square-metre new facility for training/academy, showroom and assembly work. We have built up close relationships with local academia such as Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern to set up a constant feed of engineers and technicians for the facility” Ing. Colombo explained to ISMR.

FICEP also recently opened a new subsidiary in Mumbai, India. FICEP TECH INDIA Private LTD is designed to reinforce FICEP’s longstanding presence in India, with 17 members of staff, and is now fully set up for sales and service as well as possible manufacturing. FICEP CANADA has also been set up with the objective of elevating the customer experience with prompt and personalised attention.

“We are confident that our new subsidiaries will enhance our ability to serve customers with greater efficiency, responsiveness and tailored solutions. As we continue to expand our global footprint, our focus remains on delivering excellence, fostering innovation and strengthening partnerships that drive success in the steel construction and forging industries” Christian Colombo told ISMR.

FICEP recently approved an expansion of FICEP UK in Leeds, enlarging the building by 1,000 square metres to support its service to customers.

“We also decided to expand our assembly area in Italy by a further 4,000 square metres, which should be ready by the beginning of next year. This is because we have launched new steel fabrication machinery with laser cutting technology and aim to build a whole new range of products featuring this technology” continued Christian Colombo.

“We also consolidated a sales and support agreement on structural steel frames (for robotic welding) with Canadian company, AGT Robotics. Demand for robotic welding is increasing across the world. This means that we can now provide equipment for shot blasting/cleaning of materials (profiles or plates) as well as machining (cutting, punching, shearing, milling, drilling etc.), MES software (through our Steel Projects company) and, downstream, robotic welding and automated lines for painting. In short, everything that a steel fabricator needs to streamline his processes…..” he explained.

NEW DESIGN PHILOSOPHY FOR A CHANGING WORLD

Ing. Colombo also has further plans for automation in his strategy for growth. FICEP already offers full automation for its steel fabrication machinery and, next year (according to Colombo), will launch solutions for automated logistics, handling and transport of components between machines and different working units.

With sustainability in mind, FICEP is adding IoT to its products to monitor energy and CO2 impacts. Its first products are in the market being tested. It aims to continue the rollout of this technology in 2026.

“For the next three years, we are working on a major programme to re-design all our machinery for easy assembly and rapid installation. Our steel fabrication machinery offers multiple technologies on the same platform (our hybrid machinery concept includes laser cutting, drilling, milling, sawing etc. in the same multi-functional working units). We believe that steel construction must be flexible. This is important. Thermally generated connections using plasma or laser can sometimes affect certain steel types and make them brittle, which is not ideal for construction projects such as bridges, car-parks and multi-storey buildings. Our strategy is therefore to supply flexible machines that offer multiple functionality and flexibility to fabricators who may have to choose a range of steel fabrication processes, depending upon the projects they have chosen” outlined Christian Colombo.

AI IN FOCUS

“I recommend that manufacturers spend more money doing a proper AI assessment on how to avoid being locked in with one platform/ supplier. They then need to determine their investment priorities i.e. customer experience; service; sales; scheduling production/suppliers; product design; troubleshooting; predictive maintenance etc. Create a serious roadmap that does not lock you in with any one supplier” he counselled.

LOOKING AHEAD

Despite current geopolitical tensions, Christian Colombo sees opportunities in specific industry sectors and regions over the coming years.

“In 2027, Europe could see incredible opportunities if investment levels are financed by Eurobonds (low interest rates) and the trend for countries to be defence-ready continues. The defence and aerospace markets are economic drivers with the highest multipliers. With European ideas on sustainability, AI and modularity, there should be incredible momentum for the future in Europe. The Italian market is booming; interest rates are coming down. Big projects are in the pipeline” he continued.