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AMAFOND Convention 2025 in Rezzato

The Foundry Industry – Old, but by No Means Tired

Lesedauer: min | Bildquelle: Amafond
By: Thomas Fritsch, Chief Editor

Rezzato, October 2025 – Under the motto “Foundry of the Future,” the annual conference of AMAFOND – Associazione Italiana Fornitori Fonderie took place in Rezzato. Leading figures from the European foundry and automotive industries gathered to discuss current developments, challenges, and opportunities shaping the sector.

Under the leadership of AMAFOND President Andrea Todeschini, the conference focused on a central question: how can Europe’s foundries assert themselves in an increasingly complex economic and regulatory environment?

Foundries in Europe Under Pressure

The discussions centered on macro trends in the automotive and industrial vehicle sectors and their impact on European foundries. This long-established industrial branch is undergoing profound transformation – particularly driven by changes in the automotive sector.
According to the general consensus among participants, European legislation currently fails to provide technology-neutral solutions, thereby amplifying uncertainty throughout the entire industrial value chain. This development affects not only companies themselves but also the way Europe envisions and shapes its industrial future – as well as patterns of consumption and societal priorities.


An Industry in Transition

“Those who believe in themselves and actively shape renewal have every chance to emerge as winners from this transformation,” emphasized Todeschini in his opening address. “It takes courage, foresight, and a new mindset.”
Only those willing to reinvent themselves, embrace innovation, and take an active role in change will emerge stronger from this time of upheaval.

Voices from the Industry

High-profile presentations and panel discussions gave the convention strong intellectual depth.
Roberto Vavassori, President of ANFIA and Board Member at Brembo, analyzed the far-reaching structural changes in the automotive sector and their consequences for suppliers.


Thomas Fritsch, Editor-in-Chief of Foundry-Planet, encouraged the foundry industry with a clear message: “Resistance alone is not enough. It is also essential to position ourselves in Brussels, where the importance of the foundry industry is often not sufficiently recognized.”

The key guiding principles of the convention can be summarized as follows:

  • Building new European alliances

  • Developing a new industrial mindset – open to innovation and collaboration

  • Turning uncertainty into strength and opportunity

  • Renewal instead of nostalgia

  • Courage instead of melancholy

In a lively panel discussion, Dr. Klaus Schmitz-Cohnen (Knight Wendling) and Riccardo Ferrario (formerly FIAT and IDRA) exchanged views on the sector’s future viability and the strategic importance of innovation and cooperation. Ferrario confirmed this vividly with the example of gigacasting, highlighting it as a prime case demonstrating the success of innovation.

Tradition Meets Future

The foundry industry – long a cornerstone of industrial value creation – once again proved in Rezzato that it is far more than a relic of the past. Its ability to innovate, adapt, and create genuine value makes it a key player in shaping Europe’s industrial future.
Those who invest in transformation and embrace change today, according to the prevailing sentiment of the convention, will be the ones leading tomorrow.

Firmeninfo

AMAFOND - ITALIAN FOUNDRY SUPPLIERS' ASSOCIATION

Corso Venezia, 51
20121 Milano

Telefon: +3927750219

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