Milan, 21 May 2024 – ‘The works constructed by Webuild are the result of a virtuous sector supply chain, which should be strengthened every day to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly demanding global market. In 2024–2027 alone, investments of €6,400 billion are expected in Europe, growing in all major areas of interest.’  These are the comments made by Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild, during the Webuild Global Supply Chain Meeting, a convention organized by Webuild with thousands of partner companies in the sector supply chain. The Meeting is now in its eighth edition and was held at the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan. The convention served as an opportunity to launch ‘Webuild Equipment & Machinery (WEM)’, a Webuild Group project based on the circular economy and technological innovation in supply chains. One such case is the regeneration of TBMs, the large ‘moles’ that dig and build the most complex tunnels in the world, a sector in which Webuild is a world leader.

‘In 120 years of history,’ continued Salini, ‘we have carried out over 3,200 projects and the 150 major projects underway today, together with a supply chain of 19,400 partner companies, include challenging and iconic projects such as the Snowy 2.0 hydroelectric plant in Australia and the Trojena Dam for NEOM in Saudi Arabia. At every construction site around the world, we require our suppliers to pass a very rigorous selection in terms of eligibility criteria based on transparency, workplace safety and executive ability. To grow further, our Group has made investments in innovation, adopting artificial intelligence systems and advanced technologies in many processes. The fundamental aspect, however, is skills, which we cultivate with constant training programmes to grow together with the entire supply chain.’

Since 2016, the Supplier Convention, which this year is entitled TOGETHER, is an annual event, a time to share and meet with the supply chain on key issues for the infrastructure sector and its future development, such as safety on construction sites, decarbonization, and increasingly advanced technologies for sustainable infrastructure. This demand poses major challenges, including increases in the price of raw materials and their supply. 

The convention highlighted Webuild’s investment in collaborations and the importance of creating new models for long-term growth and fostering a new culture of shared value in the industry. This is the approach that led to the birth of ‘Webuild Equipment & Machinery (WEM)’, an initiative that focuses on technological innovation and safety to promote efficiency in processes and project costs, which will benefit ongoing orders in Italy and abroad. 

WEM brings out the value of joint ventures initiated in some links of the supply chain, such as the maintenance of TBMs, the mechanical cutters used to dig tunnels, demonstrating that sustainable growth is possible through collaboration. In their ordinary life cycle, TBMs dig and build tunnels, only to be dismantled and returned to the supplier. In collaboration with the supplier CREG, Webuild has now started a process at the Terni factory in Adamantis to regenerate used TBMs, becoming the first general contractor to invest in the idea of giving new life to TBMs in a circular economy that guarantees project efficiency. There are currently more than 50 Webuild TBMs operating and ordered around the world, with 40 in Italy alone.

To access the content of the Webuild Global Supply Chain Meeting, visit the Group’s Supplier Development Hub.