History, tradition, and technologies. Zaffaroni is a historic company in Lombardy, active in the wood industry since 1955 and approaching its seventieth anniversary. To discuss Zaffaroni, spanning present, past, and future, we had the pleasure of meeting Aldo Zaffaroni, co-owner of the Italian company alongside his brother Andrea.
Three generations behind it, a long tradition that in 2025 will celebrate its seventieth anniversary on the market. For our Lombardy focus, we visited Zaffaroni, one of the prominent names in the sector—a company that has carried forward a family story for over half a century, a tradition that continues to export from Lombardy to Europe and the world the “made in Italy” synonymous with quality and ingenuity. A story we explored with Aldo Zaffaroni, co-owner of the Turate-based company with his brother Andrea. It was an opportunity to talk about the region, assess the present, and, as always, look to the future.
Andrea e Aldo Zaffaroni
“The history of our company has deep roots,” Aldo Zaffaroni explains. “We’ve been active for three generations in the field of woodworking machines and related technologies. It all started when our grandfather Mario began producing traditional machines for carpentry with his brothers. Over the years, my father Aquilino joined, and we became manufacturers and exporters of machines and systems for panel cutting and folding technology. A solid foundation that my brother Andrea and I have refined, enhancing the craft and adapting it to current times.”
The historical logo of Fratelli Zaffaroni Turate.
How significant was being born and growing up in a highly competitive industrial district like Lombardy?
“It certainly had a strong impact on the development of the company, especially in the early years. Lombardy is a competitive district, rich in resources and cross-sector opportunities, thanks to the presence not only of competitors but also of numerous companies to collaborate with and customers who are a constant source of inspiration for new products and solutions. There are skilled human resources and reliable, punctual, and efficient suppliers.
Moreover, our location offers logistical advantages. We have three airports that allow us to easily reach any corner of the world, and we are well-connected to Europe. These are factors we often take for granted, but they’re not. They’re positive elements that aid and support a company’s growth.
This is undoubtedly a benefit for us, but not a limitation. Our territory, in fact, is the whole world, without borders. Our numbers don’t and cannot refer to just one district, not even the nearest one, such as Brianza, for example—a crucial district for the wood-furniture sector in Italy. Producing niche machinery and solutions, we prioritize territorial diversification.
For instance, we currently have machinery projects destined for clients in Portugal, Australia, Brazil, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, and many other countries. The great satisfaction – Aldo Zaffaroni explains – is being able to reach places where our technologies are appreciated.”
The last few years have been “unusual.” How was the “post-Covid” three-year period?
“The 2021–2023 period was very positive, I’d even say record-breaking. The pandemic and its long-term effects unlocked many situations that had been stagnant until then. Incentives, particularly Industry 4.0 and the Superbonus 110%, provided a significant push for recovery, encouraging companies to invest in upgrading their machinery to meet market demands. Perhaps even excessively, causing a peak followed by a natural decline in 2024, for us as well as others.
The effects were similar to those observed with the implementation of the first Sabatini law. Finding the right solutions for such a complex period wasn’t easy, especially considering the macroeconomic and geopolitical situations we’re all familiar with.
Vision, attention, and—a good dose of luck—are essential to being in the right place at the right time. Our approach is fundamental, and our goal is to always improve, continue investing in expertise and ideas, and value what we’ve achieved so far. We focus on product quality, which has become our calling card, especially abroad, where 90% of our revenue originates.
We’re not ‘aggressive’ in sales; our goal is always to provide the customer with the right solution, meeting production needs with honesty and transparency. We don’t focus on volume but on the quality of our interactions. If a client contacts us because they need our technology, it’s a source of pride and a testament that our product is cutting-edge.
Ours is a niche market, where growth isn’t easy, but with commitment and dedication, maintaining standards and results while striving to do a bit more—with rationality—is possible.”
“MSR-R6”
You mentioned Industry 4.0. 2024 marked the year of 5.0. Will it impact the market?
“It’s hard to make predictions. The regulation came out only recently and is somewhat intricate. What we’ve observed in these first few months is greater confusion and disorientation. Many companies have tried to approach it, but it’s not easy to comply.
Our approach to the regulation is cautious. We continue working as usual and will adapt as needed, especially based on customer requests. We haven’t changed our work philosophy: we always aim to improve while focusing on important issues, such as environment, sustainability, and governance, to offer the most attractive technological solutions possible, always emphasizing innovation.
I’d also like to point out that, although it’s not widely advertised, it’s still possible to access—albeit with reduced incentives compared to the past—Industry 4.0.”
Innovation is always at the forefront, then…
“Absolutely. The world and industry are constantly evolving, and staying updated is essential. This includes digitalization, utilizing artificial intelligence, and new tools, as well as developing new technologies and machinery, taking the time to advance ideas that might have been ‘shelved’ and delving into customer requests.
Today, the key concepts are multimateriality and automation—two clear drivers of development.
Specifically – he continues – we’ll soon introduce two new technologies: a profiling machine for curved panels, the ‘MSR-R6’ series, designed for manufacturing multilayer slats for beds, and a flying-saw panel cutting machine, the ‘CCM’ series, for production lines requiring in-motion panel cutting. The latter isn’t exclusive to us but expands our range of solutions, offering clients increased productivity and time optimization.”
“MSR-R6”: detail
We’ve mentioned a significant anniversary. Seventy years is no small feat for a company… Is there a “recipe” for such longevity?
“No, it’s not a small feat, and achieving such longevity isn’t easy. There’s no single recipe; it takes consistency, dedication, and continually redefining how to meet client needs. That’s the essence of ‘tailor-made’ companies like ours, where custom solutions are vital.”
Flying Saw “CCM”
What do you foresee for the future?
“Making predictions is never easy, and rather than looking into a ‘crystal ball,’ I’d prefer to make a wish—that we celebrate the upcoming milestone with the fourth generation. Continuity has always been our strength at Zaffaroni, and we hope to maintain it.”
Allow us a “romantic” closing. If you had to describe your story in three words, what would they be?
“Passion, dedication, commitment. These words encapsulate the essence of our work, from the beginning to today. Seventy years is a long time, and without passion for what we do, such a milestone would be unattainable.”
