“Attacca/Stacca il giunto Pomini!” they shouted. That was the family’s expression. Welcome to Villa Pomini, a place imbued with the spirit of innovation.
The Pomini family’s saga is truly fascinating. It is a tale of Italian entrepreneurs who always looked to the future.
Let me tell you about Luigi Pomini. He founded the Luigi Pomini company in 1886. Castellanza was a small town then with only 3,500 residents. Luigi started by repairing steam engines and textile machinery. Soon, he was building transmission parts. These parts were essential for Italy’s growing industries.
In 1907, Luigi was recognized as a “Cavaliere al merito del lavoro.” Even the company’s early catalogs were unique. They were hand-drawn before the Liberty style became popular. Famous artists designed them with great care.
Egidio and Ottorino Pomini succeeded Luigi. They were Carlo Pomini’s father and uncle. Egidio focused on business management. He embraced technical and scientific progress. Ottorino was a brilliant mathematician. He earned a gold medal at the Politecnico di Milano in 1904. Ottorino patented the disengageable elastic joint. This invention was important for speed reducers, especially in the Navy.
In 1936, Carlo became president after Egidio’s death. Near the end of World War II, Pomini shifted to producing machinery. This machinery was for rolling steel and non-ferrous materials. Small steel mills were a niche market. Their flexibility proved successful. Pomini expanded internationally, forming an agreement with Swedish S.K.F. They also worked with American companies like Farrell and McNeil.
In the early 1960s, Farrell Corporation acquired 25% of Pomini. The company became Pomini-Farrell S.p.A. It quickly grew to 1,200 employees. But the 1970s brought challenges. Demand slowed. Labor unions put pressure on the mechanical sector. Inflation and the oil crisis reduced bank credit. High interest rates and inadequate export support caused a crisis for Pomini.
Over two decades, employees decreased to 500. The agreement with Farrell ended in 1988. The company couldn’t meet financial needs. There was no generational change. So, Pomini was sold to the Techint Group. Techint is a multinational steel company. They continued producing grinders but sold the rolling mill and rubber divisions.
Pomini became part of Tenova. This group specializes in advanced metallurgy and mining technologies. In May, Tenova moved its headquarters to Pomini’s site in Castellanza. It became a corporate “campus.” It included offices, a factory, a cafeteria, a training center, and sports facilities for employees.
The Pomini family also contributed to local welfare. They built the Castagnate kindergarten. They provided homes for workers. They established assistance funds for employees. Donations of Villa Pomini, a collection of paintings, and the family library are clear examples of their generosity. Carlo Pomini, who passed away in 1998, also left an important legacy as President of the LIUC – Cattaneo University promoters committee.
Villa Pomini stands as a testament. It shows the Pomini family’s commitment to industry. It embodies their dedication to the community. Their innovative spirit continues to inspire.