The Origins of SISMA S.p.A.
SISMA S.p.A., which stands for Silvio Sbabo Macchine Artigiane, is a story of entrepreneurship and innovation that began in 1961. The company was founded by Silvio Sbabo, an expert in patents and applications at SMIT (Società Meccanica Italiana Telai), later part of Nuovo Pignone. Silvio aimed to produce shuttle looms domestically, which until then had been imported from France.
With the support of his 16-year-old son Fiorenzo, Silvio rented a small garage on Via Carducci in Schio (VI). Equipped with a lathe, drill, and workbench, the father-and-son team began transforming their vision into reality. Their dedication led to a key breakthrough: a patent for selvedge machines, which boosted orders and accelerated company growth.
By 1967, SISMA became the first company to move into Schio’s new industrial area, establishing a 12,000 m² facility(6,000 m² covered) on Via Piemonte. However, the textile industry began showing signs of decline, prompting SISMA to diversify and explore new business opportunities to secure long-term sustainability and success.
SISMA and the Jewelry Chain Revolution
A pivotal moment came in 1976 when a visionary jeweler from Bassano commissioned SISMA’s first machine for producing jewelry chains. This innovation marked the start of a new chapter, allowing SISMA to enter a niche market previously dominated by Italian and German competitors.
In the early 1980s, SISMA became the first company worldwide to integrate electronics into chain-making machines, achieving a major technological leap. This strategic move strengthened its leadership and disrupted the competitive landscape in a sector considered highly exclusive.
Despite the stable jewelry chain market, with an estimated total turnover of hundreds of billions of lire, SISMA was not satisfied with its previous results. The company continued to invest 15% of its annual turnover in research and technological innovation, demonstrating a constant drive for improvement and evolution. SISMA’s unwavering commitment to research and technological development not only allowed the company to maintain its leading position but also to anticipate market needs, providing innovative solutions that transformed the jewelry chain industry. This forward-thinking approach ensured continued growth, despite apparent market limitations.
SISMA’s Strategic Expansion
Already holding a significant global market share in the chain machinery sector, SISMA decided to expand its reach into new horizons. This strategic shift began in 2001, marking an important collaboration with the University of Padua for the introduction of laser technology into its products. Initially, laser technology was used to improve jewelry chain machinery, focusing on link welding. However, laser application did not stop there. Over time, it expanded to marking, engraving, and cutting, opening up new market opportunities. The adoption of innovative laser systems had a significant impact on SISMA’s revenue distribution. Since the 2000s, the share of revenue generated by laser systems has grown to 70%, while chain machinery has accounted for the remaining 30%. This shift has underscored the growing importance and demand for laser products.
The success of its laser systems led to the company’s expansion in 2012. SISMA opened a new facility in Piovene Rocchette, dedicated exclusively to the production of laser systems for welding, marking, and cutting, called SISMA LASER. Furthermore, a facility dedicated to product research and customization, known as SISMA LAB, was established in Romano d’Ezzelino. This expansion was accompanied by the opening of several international branches, strengthening the company’s global presence.
Technology, Expansion, and Global Vision
In 2013, SISMA introduced an advanced CNC diamond-cutting and laser system, marking a significant step forward in precision technology and creating new growth opportunities.
In June 2014, SISMA formed a joint venture with the German multinational TRUMPF GmbH, establishing TRUMPF SISMA SRL.
The joint venture with TRUMPF ended in 2021, but left an important legacy: the technical know-how acquired allowed SISMA to sign a commercial agreement with TRUMPF GmbH for the marketing of metal 3D printers, specifically in the jewelry and fashion sectors.
Also in 2021, SISMA inaugurated a new 10,000 m² industrial building in Piovene Rocchette, expanding the main site to a total of 40,000 m², including 15,000 m² of covered space, emphasizing its commitment to growth and innovation.
Alongside its strong Italian base, SISMA expanded internationally with branches in Mexico, Spain, Germany, Turkey, and the USA, enhancing its global market reach and reinforcing its position as a leader in the sector.
SISMA Excellence, Sustainability, and Safety
2023 ended exceptionally well for SISMA, which achieved extraordinary results. The company achieved a record turnover of €57 million and reached an all-time high in terms of human resources, employing 257 people. This milestone confirms SISMA’s continued growth and consolidation both nationally and internationally.
To cap off an already extraordinary year, SISMA obtained two important international certifications in 2024, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and safety:
– ISO 14001:2015: This certification attests to the company’s commitment to environmental management, following globally recognized standards. This demonstrates SISMA’s commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of its operations.
– ISO 45001:2018: This certification confirms the adoption of an effective system for workplace health and safety, demonstrating the priority SISMA gives to the protection of its employees.
These new recognitions add to the historic ISO 9001:2015 certification, obtained in 1996.
Il numero seriale o il numero Matricola
si trovano in una targhetta applicata sulla
macchina. Inizia con OR per le macchine a catena e per L o LS per le macchine laser.
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