1886-1920: The early days

1886

SMI - Società Metallurgica Italiana is founded with French and Italian capital. SMI was first quoted on the Milan Stock exchange in 1897

1902

The Orlando family takes over control of SMI and its three Italian plants (Limestre and Mammiano, both in the province of Pistoia, and Livorno)

1906

SMI, with Deutsch-Oesterreichische Mannesmannröhren-Werke of Düsseldorf, establishes Società Tubi Mannesmann (now Dalmine), with plants at Dalmine, for the production of seamless steel tubing

1910

All activities connected with the production of semi-finished copper and copper alloy products are consolidated and expanded with the construction of the Campo Tizzoro (Pistoia) plant, which opened in the record time of six months

1911

SMI cedes its holdings in Società Tubi Mannesmann to the other majority shareholder, Deutsch-Oesterreichische Mannesmannröhren-Werke

1915

Construction of the Fornaci di Barga (Lucca) plant: SMI’s output grows from 6,000 tons in 1902 to over 36,000 in 1917

1920

Foundation of GIM (Generale Industrie Metallurgiche), the Orlando family holding company, which is quoted on the stock exchange in 1930