Walvoil, a 100% Made in Italy company, is today among the world’s leading manufacturers of integrated offerings of hydraulic products, electronics and complete mechatronic systems. The company celebrates its 50th anniversary this month (June 2023) and looks ahead by planning new hires and focusing on research and innovation.
The beginnings
The company was founded in Reggio Emilia in 1973 on premises in Via Gonzaga, which had been used as a stable until recently. The founders are the current president, Ivano Corghi, and his deputy, Alessandro Mazzali. It was the latter’s idea to open their own business to manufacture and market hydraulic components for third parties. Within a short period of time, Mazzali & Corghi began designing the first Sd5 monobloc hydraulic valves and the Sd10 modular valves, two products that were to be fundamental to the company’s success and still represent a significant part of its business today.
A fast-growing business
Only two years passed, and in 1975, the first extension became necessary. The company moved from the old stable to premises of over a thousand square metres located in the Crostolo Village. In the same year, the company changed its name to Walvoil SNC, but it was not until 1979 that the company name changed to a joint-stock company.
Walvoil then grew through acquisitions: Oleoplus and 50 per cent of Oleostar. In 2021, during the pandemic, the company hired 85 workers and had a turnover of EUR 255 million. It employs 1199 people, has eight production units located in the area of Reggio Emilia and Bologna and subsidiaries in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Korea, France, India, and the USA. Since 2015, he has been part of the Interpump Group, owned by Fulvio Montipò.
An international presence
In 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, the company hired 85 workers and had a turnover of EUR 255 million. It employs 1199 people, has eight production units located in Reggio Emilia and Bologna, and subsidiaries in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Korea, France, India and the USA.
Mattarella’s visit
Last month, on the occasion of Labour Day, the company received a visit from the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, who visited the Corte Tegge plant, which will soon see the construction of the new Innovation Centre, where the Research and Development division will be based.
Discover more Made in Italy success stories in the electronics industry.