History
Entrepreneurs for 3 generations
The early years
The company was established in the 1920s by blacksmith Antonio Gatta, whose products originally included aircraft valves, wrought iron parts, bicycles and prototypes for motorcycles. Productive activity was carriend on in its own 2000 mq workshop in the municipality of Samone (Turin).
Industrialisation
The second generation, represented by the founder's son Leonardo Gatta, saw the gradual conversion of the business from artisanal to industrial. Initially the main customers came from the iron and steel industry, as well as the construction industry. Later, the focus shifted towards machine tools manufacturers, industrial plants and products for the cable transport sector, which led to the manufacture of ski lifts components and ropeway conveyors used in quarries and mines.
Expansion
The firm's new course required more staff and more space: hence the move in 1979 to the new plant in Colleretto Giacosa (Turin), the actual headquarters, with a total built-up area of 6,700 square meters on a 20,000 square meters floor area. This period saw the consolidation of the relationship with the customers operating in the machine tool manufacturing and industrial plants sector. The company use to produce welded structures and, in some cases, also manufactured industrial plants con commission, including mechanical assembly.
Diversification
With the arrival of the third generation, represented by Marco and Silvia Gatta, industrial automation was introduced in the company's production environments. During this period, the client portfolio was increased thus gradually reducing the company's dependence on a small number of large customers, and in 2008 a 3,700 mq extension was added to the existing factory to set-up the new Precision Sheet Metal work department. This unit became the second pillar of the company's operations, along with Mechanical Carpentry, which had in the meantime specialised in building of electrowelded structures for the machinery and industrial plants. Thanks to this significant evolution, today Gatta operates from a site covering 10,000 square meters of indoor space.
Modernisation
During this period, the company focused on the development of its two departments: mechanical carpentry and precision sheet metal work. To face the new challenges launched by a changing market, Gatta invested heavily in machinery, equipment and technology, with a particular focus on the introduction of a new management software and a leaner organisational structure based on the "Industry 4.0" interconnection standard. In the same period, the company also consolidated and boosted its customer base, achieving record turnover of 16 million euros in 2022, accompanied by significant profits.
