Insight

CERMAC is an Italian manufacturer focused on the production of advanced material testing machines for tensile, impact, creep and stress testing on a variety of materials, including fasteners.

Established in 1983 as Sider Metro Test, CERMAC was initially set-up to satisfy the requests for maintenance, calibration and overhaul of laboratory test equipment – predominately tensile machines, as well as pendulum and hardness testers.

By 2005 the company had positioned itself as a reliable supplier and consultant when it came to the technical capabilities of manufacturing components and spare parts for upgrades – even of very dated equipment. The next step came in 2008 when CERMAC decided to transform and specialise in the production and sale of its own equipment – in order to satisfy a constantly expanding market. “To do this our already equipped workshop was further strengthened through a series of important investments – so that we could carry out the production and assembly directly in our own factory,” explains Cesare Certini, owner of CERMAC Srl. 

In 2012 the range of machines and equipment available from CERMAC was increased to include electromechanical and hydraulic machines for tensile tests, as well as those for dynamic stress – from Charpy pendulums to tube markers. The range of accessories was also extended, such as mechanical and electronic strain gauges for tests on smooth and ribbed rods, as well as systems for hot tests and sets for tests on bolts.

To add to this, in 2014 the CERMAC Testing System and related software was introduced, which was developed internally for the control and automatic processing of tests. “This testing system is still in use today and is subject to continuous updates to guarantee it is always in step with the most recent national and international testing standards,” points out Cesare. “We are a relatively small company, but we can provide a complete service to every one of our customers. Not only are we able to manufacture the machinery and instrumentation, and software, we also take care of the installation, training and service assistance, even remotely.”

Cesare adds: “We have always aimed for the very highest quality, supplying customised and simplified solutions that are competitive and have a good reputation within the market – thanks to their quality and Italian style.” 

This approach has benefited the company and its customers when it comes to the challenges of the last two years. “Without doubt ‘resilence’ is one of our main strengths at CERMAC,” states Cesare. “This has enabled us to manage the current market situation and take advantage of government economic initiatives to incentivise technological innovation; invest in research and in new sectors; reduce the dependence on semi-finished products of foreign production; as well as invest in human resources and technical knowledge.”

This means that CERMAC is well placed to take advantage of upcoming opportunities, such as the anti-dumping duties imposed by the EU, which the company believes will see a large part of fastener production divert back to within the EU market. “We see this as an advantage for us, as we can support customers with the testing machinery they need,” highlights Cesare.

Another area the company has been working on is Industry 4.0. “The Italian government’s Transition Plan 4.0 has introduced a series of measures to incentivise investments,” explains Cesare. “That is why, since 2020, we have looked to promote these benefits to customers when it comes to our new generation machinery.”