Balancing is essential for the service life of a rotor because abnormal vibrations can cause mechanical damage, sometimes very early in operation. In this field, Schenck boasts over a century of innovation and expertise. We spoke with Francesco D’Alessandro, CEO of Schenck Italia.
A bit of history: Schenck has been present in Italy since 1971, and in 2023 it inaugurated its new headquarters in Giussano, near Monza.
What steps forward have you taken in recent years?
Since 2022, we have made significant progress, culminating in the opening of our new facility in Giussano. With modern, technologically advanced spaces, we have streamlined workflows and reduced inefficiencies across both office and workshop operations.
We have also optimized our layout to reflect the different needs of our teams: service technicians operate differently than the sales force, and this separation allows us to serve our customers more quickly and flexibly. The result is a service that is more customized, responsive, and of higher quality.
«Collaboration and technical excellence turn complex challenges into tangible competitive advantages»
Importantly, these developments are part of a wider business strategy focused on innovation, agility, and strengthening customer relationships. By combining infrastructure improvements with strategic realignment, we are better positioned to anticipate market needs, respond faster, and deliver solutions that create long-term value for our clients. Our goal is to align operational efficiency with our customer-first philosophy while paving the way for sustainable growth.
What new Schenck solutions have been developed for balancing, spin-testing, and vibration analysis of electric motors?
Schenck is investing heavily in innovation to address the challenges of electric mobility. We have developed dedicated balancing systems and spin testers for electric motors, capable of evaluating high-speed components with increasingly tight tolerances.
To help customers gain access to our technology without committing to large capital expenditures, we established the Green Technology Center: a technology hub where our state-of-the-art equipment and expertise are available as subcontracted services. This model allows customers to immediately test and validate components without purchasing capital goods. It helps even small and medium-sized enterprises remain competitive and reduce their time-to-market.
Could you share an example of successful collaboration with a customer?
One recent collaboration involved a leading automotive manufacturer who needed to increase rotor speed and analyze the effects of mechanical expansion under high centrifugal force and heat distribution.
Leveraging our technical expertise and developing a tailored solution, we identified a transient phenomenon that was causing mechanical failures in later stages. This discovery allowed the customer to make the minor structural changes to the rotor, significantly improving product performance.
It’s a perfect example of how collaboration and technical excellence can turn complex challenges into tangible competitive advantages.
In addition to balancing, what other services do you offer customers?
Our offering extends far beyond balancing. We provide spin testing for both R&D and production environments, as well as a full range of complementary services: after-sales support, preventive maintenance, seminars on unbalance and balancing techniques, technical product training, retrofitting of existing machines, and consulting to optimize manufacturing processes.
For industrial plants, we also offer on-site intervention using portable vibration analysis equipment to assess the performance of rotating machinery such as pumps, fans, and rollers.
Our aim is to be an all-round partner, supporting our customers with every need related to balancing, vibration analysis, and spin testing.
In today’s complex geopolitical scenario, also marked by new U.S. tariffs, what are the future targets of Schenck Italia?
In such a dynamic global environment, our priority is to strengthen our position in the domestic market through innovation, flexibility, and close customer proximity. The same strategy is applied across other Schenck subsidiaries in EMEA, APAC, and South America, where we continue investing to remain agile and keep leading this niche with technical innovation.
Regarding the U.S. market, and through close collaboration with the Dürr Group, we have implemented strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of new tariffs while maintaining high standards of quality, fast delivery, and sustainable solutions.
We are ready to face the challenges ahead with enthusiasm and determination, confident that our adaptability and the strength of the Group will enable us to seize new opportunities and set new benchmarks in our industry.
