Webuild ready to seize global opportunities by driving Italian supply chain in crucial sector for energy transition

Milan, December 12, 2023 - Investments in infrastructure "will continue to drive development globally in the forthcoming years. And the Webuild Group, with its 85,000 people, is ready to seize every opportunity, to benefit the entire Italian business system, in a sector where increasingly specialized skills are needed both at the technical level and in innovation and sustainability terms. Skills for which corporate dimensions are really crucial." This was stated by Webuild CEO Pietro Salini at GeoEconomy Talk, New Global Economic Balances, organized by RCS Academy.

Salini explained that "there are about 2 billion people globally without access to energy, and more than 1 billion without access to clean water.  Population growth leads to an increased need for infrastructure because this is the system by which a country builds the future, investing for the next generation. The M4 metro in Milan built by the Group, which in just 12 minutes takes passengers from Linate airport to the city center in Piazza San Babila, is an example of infrastructure that is built well, transparently, and lawfully. Just like the Genoa San Giorgio Bridge that was built in record time. Infrastructure is a key resource that people are beginning to believe in." 

Salini commented that "Webuild has carried out 270 projects in the past 10 years. In Italy, our market share now stands at less than 2 percent, when our French competitors hold shares between 3 and 10 percent in their home market. Differently from what happens in Europe, we create 70% of our revenue abroad. This means pushing on exporting Italian companies, with only 30% produced in our domestic market. In Italy, we are investing in state-of-the-art automated factories, like the Roboplant pre-cast concrete segment factory activated in Sicily. And we placed agreements with the world's leading manufacturers to build, in Italy, what the industry needs. To apply innovative tools and processes, we first decided on a major plan to invest in training and employment. With Cantiere Lavoro Italia, in the next three years, Webuild will hire 10,000 people in Italy, 88 percent in the South of the nation. Skilled professionals are increasingly requested, in addition to the demand for 'traditional' figures typical of the construction market. Resources who can support the sector's growth and give Italy a future."

"The overall development trend in the infrastructure sector is promising," Salini continued, "with a 7 percent growth rate over the past 15 years, globally, and an increasing focus on high-value investments in terms of sustainability. Against this backdrop, the size class of companies is a key element in coping with sudden shocks such as rising raw material costs, growth in the technological content of works, making necessary investments in various areas including safety and innovation, and interacting with an increasingly complex ecosystem, including from a regulatory perspective.  Only solid companies with an industry-leading role can contribute to the realization of works that are a concrete response to the energy transition and the conversion to more sustainable economies in general."

A new impetus in infrastructure development is also expected in the forthcoming years in Italy. Salini also underlined that “in the coming decade the infrastructural expense in Italy will grow on average by 1.7% every year: a rate that is greater than the Eurozone average (+1.5%). But most of all, well are well above the post-pandemic forecast (+0.9%).  Growth will be most pronounced in the period 2021-2026 (+2.6 percent). This increase is trend change compared to the past. It will allow Italy to deal with some infrastructural critical issues and delays. Investments allow us to trigger a virtuous circle that benefits the competitiveness of our businesses and the economy. The resources allocated for infrastructure development are already generating positive spillovers in various sectors of the Italian economy, both during the construction phase and subsequently through the use of more modern, more efficient and sustainable infrastructure."