Behind every major railway project, every high-speed line and many of Italy’s most important infrastructure projects of the last forty years, there is an organisation that often remains out of the spotlight, yet represents one of the most advanced examples of Italian technological and engineering excellence: FS Engineering.
What we now know as FS Engineering actually has its roots in a story that began over forty years ago under the name Italferr, a company destined to become one of the world’s leading names in the design and management of major infrastructure projects. It is a story characterised by innovation, an international outlook and the ability to transform Italian know-how into a model that can be exported worldwide.
It all began in 1984: Italferr was founded
The date to remember is 25 October 1984. At that time, Italy was undergoing a major overhaul of its infrastructure, and the Ferrovie dello Stato Group decided to set up a company specialising in railway engineering.
The goal was ambitious: to design and develop modern infrastructure capable of supporting the country’s growth while, at the same time, promoting ‘Made in Italy’ technical excellence on international markets as well.
What began as a company focused on the railway sector would, over the years, become a veritable hub of innovation in the field of major infrastructure projects.
The company that has helped reshape transport in Italy
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Italferr took on an increasingly central role in the country’s infrastructure development. It was during this period that one of the most significant revolutions in Italian transport took shape: the high-speed rail network.
When we travel from Milan to Rome in under three hours today, we rarely stop to think about the enormous amount of design and coordination work that lies behind this transformation. FS Engineering – then known as Italferr – was one of the key players in the construction of Italy’s High-Speed/High-Capacity rail system, which is still considered one of the most advanced in the world today.
It was not simply a matter of building new railway lines but of designing an integrated system capable of transforming how people and goods move around the country, thereby reducing the economic and social divides between regions.
From a railway company to a global player
One of the most striking aspects of FS Engineering’s history is its international expansion. Over the years, the company has gradually broadened its scope well beyond the railway sector, exporting its expertise into fields ranging from energy and water to urban planning and logistics, and right through to the integrated management of complex infrastructure. Today, the group operates in 15 countries across five continents, bringing the Italian model of design and management of major infrastructure projects to the world.
Among the most significant international projects of recent years, the Anji Khad Bridge in India stands out. In 2024, the project was awarded the prestigious international ENR Global Best Projects – Award of Merit, one of the most prestigious awards in the construction and engineering sector. This achievement demonstrates the ability of Italian expertise to compete at the highest level, even in highly competitive international contexts.
When engineering meets historical heritage
One of the most intriguing projects carried out in recent years concerns one of the most iconic landmarks in Italy and the world: St Peter’s Basilica. FS Engineering has developed advanced Digital Twin solutions – that is, intelligent digital models capable of constantly monitoring the condition of the infrastructure.
This technology has also been used to monitor the Vatican Basilica, demonstrating how expertise gained in the railway sector can be applied to protecting the world’s historical and artistic heritage.
From Italferr to FS Engineering
The year 2026 marks a symbolic yet significant turning point. After more than forty years in business, Italferr officially changes its name to FS Engineering. It is not merely a rebranding exercise but a reflection of the company’s desire to embody a new identity: that of a global engineering firm capable of competing with the leading international players in integrated and digital engineering.
The new name emphasises the company’s affiliation with the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group and, at the same time, reflects its evolution from a railway company to an infrastructure tech company. This evolution has been accompanied by significant accolades, including the ‘Digital Going Year in Infrastructure’ award received in 2025 in Amsterdam, the SMAU Innovation Award and the OICE Sustainability Award, which confirm FS Engineering’s leading role in infrastructure innovation and sustainable design.
An Italian masterpiece with an eye to the future
The story of FS Engineering is about much more than the growth of a company. It illustrates Italy’s ability to develop cutting-edge technological expertise, export innovation, and build infrastructure that tangibly improves people’s lives.
From high-speed rail lines to international bridges, from digital construction sites to the digital twins of St Peter’s Basilica, FS Engineering represents one of the most fascinating examples of the evolution of contemporary ‘Made in Italy’: a model of excellence that combines engineering, sustainability, technology and a global vision.
Because ‘Made in Italy’ is not just about style, fashion or design. It is also about the ability to shape the future.
Discover more examples of Italian excellence in the world of engineering and construction.