Roberto Rusticelli

Phoenix International SpA engages in the manufacture of dies and tools for aluminium extrusion. It serves the transportation, construction, automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Verdello, Italy.

PHOENIX was set up in 1972 by the six founders, four of whom still work in the company, for the production of dies for aluminum profile extrusion. Originally located in Concesio, on the outskirts of Brescia, Phoenix later moved to new premises in Paderno Franciacorta, Brescia, where it maintained its organization up to the late nineties. The eighties saw an approach to Central European markets (mainly Germany) and utilization of the latest technology, including spark erosion and the first application of computer science to industrial design contributed to the growth of Phoenix, which was also made possible by the fundamental contribution of such subcontractors as Debra, Sirio, Intex and Pragma. In the nineties Phoenix consolidated the success of the previous decade and completed the process of rationalization of the company with the aim of reducing lead times. This process contemplated integration of all the subcontracted work, except for thermal treatment, into a single company in the group, and also heavy investments in the search for new production technology and design, a guarantee of Phoenix's undisputed leadership in this business sector. In order to improve customer services, the company's shareholders decided to initiate a further process of development through new take-over's and de-localization of production in 1999 and 2000. The first step in this process was the take-over of a branch of HYDRO ALLUMINIO ORNAGO (known as ITALMA), a company manufacturing dies and equipment for the HYDRO group in Italy. Then came the creation of Iberia Dies Phoenix, and the acquisition of Tool Dies S.p.A., Phoenix' traditional Italian rival, followed by the setting up of the Greek company Hellas Dies Phoenix. Pan-American Dies Phoenix was set up in Buenos Aires (Argentina) in 2003, and in June same year Phoenix International S.p.A. took over from Capral Aluminium the business line for the production of dies and tools. The new company, called Austex Dies Phoenix, is located in Minto (Australia). Each factory in the group is an independent 'Business Unit' in which the local management establishes targets and answers to the Group management for the results achieved. Overall, Phoenix Group has acquired 20% of the market share in Europe with a team of 400 qualified workers who are coordinated by a capillary system of delegation.