Ferrovie dello Stato Takes Over Firema Rolling Stock Production Division

Italian state railways Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) have taken over the rolling stock production division of the company Firema, ending a period of uncertainty for this historic enterprise based in Casavatore near Naples. The transaction, whose financial details were not disclosed, includes the takeover of assets, technology, orders, and approximately 400 employees. The strategic goal, as emphasized by FS Chairman Luigi Ferraris, is to strengthen the national supply chain and railway industry, which is crucial for implementing the railway's multi-year investment plan, estimated at 190 billion euros. Firema, founded in the 1980s, was for decades an important Italian rolling stock manufacturer, specializing in passenger carriages, trams, and metro trains. The company supplied vehicles for many Italian cities and operators, including the Naples metro. In recent years, however, the company faced financial difficulties, which cast doubt on the future of its plants and workforce. The direct effect of the transaction is the securing of jobs for the employees at the Casavatore plant. As sources indicate, the takeover by FS aims to avoid bankruptcy proceedings or mass layoffs. FS CEO Gianfranco Battisti assured in a statement that "all employees will be integrated into the new structure." This decision was met with clear satisfaction from local authorities and trade unions, who had been lobbying for intervention to save the company for months. The President of the Campania region, Vincenzo De Luca, described the decision as "very good news for the territory and the workers." From FS's perspective, the acquisition of Firema has a strategic dimension, extending beyond social issues. The state railways are implementing an ambitious plan to modernize and green the fleet, which requires reliable supplies of modern rolling stock. Taking control of a key supplier allows securing the supply chain, accelerating order fulfillment, and keeping know-how within the country. As Ferraris explained, it is about "strengthening the Italian supply chain in the railway sector," which is particularly important in the context of EU funds for the green transformation of transport. The Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, supported this move, seeing it as part of the industrial policy of Giorgia Meloni's government aimed at strengthening key sectors. The transformation of Firema into a direct supplier for FS opens a new chapter for the plant. The company will continue production, fulfilling existing orders, and in the future will be able to bid for new contracts within the railway's investment plans. These include, among others, the purchase of new regional trains, electrification of lines, and replacement of older trainsets. The acquisition also fits into the broader trend of consolidation in the European railway industry, where large railway groups increasingly integrate suppliers to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. For southern Italy, often struggling with economic problems, maintaining production in Casavatore also has symbolic and developmental significance.