Milan, 1914 - The beginning, Fabbrica Nazionale Pistoni

Founded in 1914 by Pietro Gandini, Fabbrica Nazionale Pistoni was initially specialized in the production of cast iron and steel pistons and in the manufacturing of cast iron cylinder liners. Later on, it stood out on the market with the production of pistons in light alloys and continued to expand its range with the manufacturing of gudgeon pins and segments.

In a few years Fabbrica Nazionale Pistoni turned into one of the best plants of the sector, becoming, during the First World War, one of the biggest providers of spare parts for the Italian Army and the Italian Navy and, in the immediate post-war, an irreplaceable partner for many Italian motor industries.

Valbrona, 1945 - Second Generation

Almost completely disrupted during the Second World War, the ancient plant was rebuilt in Milan and Valbrona, in the province of Como, under the direction of Ernesto Ugo Gandini, Pietro Gandini’s son. Ernesto Ugo Gandini boosted the ancient production by introducing new machines and new production systems.

The use of aluminum titanium alloys, thermal treatments and the special use of breakthrough metal molds, brought to a high demand and to an excellent use of pistons built this way. The modern sales network and the set of samples, that at the end of the 60s boasted more than 3.000 usable metal molds, brought to the production of 100.000 pistons per year.

The range of pistons and cylinder liners was then flanked by the supply, exclusively in Italy, of original Seeger retaining rings made of special steel, provided both in the classic internal and external distinction and also in a wide range of patented special types.

Canzo, 1987 - Third generation, the creation of the Fasteners Division

These were the years of the third generation: Piergianni Gandini, Ugo’s son, arrived to the leadership of the company, that in the meantime had become a Joint stock company and had moved to Milan. With his constancy and his determination, Piegianni Gandini led the company to become one of the main industrial realities of the sector.

After the first headquarters in Valbrona and Milan, in these years it was constructed the first modern plant in Canzo. In the same period, it was created the Sales division based in Milan, that started supplying, in addition to Seeger retaining rings, the best European brands of pins, disc springs, fasteners, plastic components…

 Milan, 1993 - The acquisitions

The acquisition of the company Anderton Italia, later become Andit, based in the hinterland of Milan, allowed the expansion of the range of the supplied fasteners and strengthened the presence of the company on the market. The acquisition of a company of screws and bolts brought, the following year, to the creation of the industry of mechanical machining.

Canzo, 1998 - Canzo 2 and the birth of the Automation Division

In 1998 a second plant was added to the already existing one based in Canzo, and a third plant was already in the making, not far from the new second one. The modern production systems, the important investments placed since the beginning of the production cycle and the creation of the modern foundry, brought Gandini to grow its production base, specializing in the supply of pistons for compressors and becoming supplier of the biggest Italian and European brands of the sector. 

Sesto San Giovanni, 2001 - The new headquarter

The increasing turnover, number of employees, and items available at a warehouse unique in Europe that boasts more than 500 million pieces ready to be dispatched, led to the creation of new directional and commercial areas. The new headquarter of Sesto San Giovanni, with a surface of 12.000 m², allowed the reorganization of the commercial division: the new warehouse with the computerization of its processes ensured a simplification of logistics and increased its capacity.

Sesto San Giovanni, 2003-2005- Here comes the fourth generation

In these years the fourth generation of Gandini’s family took part in the management of the company: Stefano in the Sales Fasteners Division and Alessandro in the Accounting and Finance division.

Sesto and Canzo, 2008-2009 - The new organization of the Group

In those years new strategies for the reorganization of the Group were defined, with the de-merger of the industrial division and the following creation of Gandini Industria S.r.l. In the same period took place the merger by incorporation[3]of Andit Spa in Gandini Spa.

Canzo, 2009 - The birth of Canzo 3

The birth of the third plant, more than 5.000 m² with a new foundry completely robotized, strengthened and expanded the production capacity of Gandini Industria.

Sesto San Giovanni, 2010-2020 - The increase in the range of products and Fasteners suppliers

In these years, under the guidance of Stefano Gandini, the number of providers and the range of products were extended with the introduction, among the new products, of the range of Smalley spiral rings and wave springs.

The relationship with the production units of Gandini Industria was strengthened and led to the expansion of the selection of customized fasteners. The commercial staff grew thanks to new assumptions and new materials and finishing, thought for special customized products, were introduced in order to satisfy the ever more demanding customers.

Canzo, 2015-2020 Evolution and constant growth

The new foundry and the consistent investments led to the production of more than 2 million pieces per year with a yearly consumption of almost 500 tons of aluminum. In these years, new finishing and new productions were introduced. Alessandro Gandini started working side by side with his father Piergianni at the leadership of the plants. The robotics lines increased and new machine tools were introduced.

2022-2023- Managing reorganization

The early and painful death of Stefano brought to an obliged reorganization of the company’s functions: Piergianni came back to the leadership of the company in Sesto San Giovanni in order to continue Stefano’s work,  to explain his employees their new responsibilities and to update pricelists, products and providers contracts.

2024-2025 Generational passage

Alessandro Gandini took the leadership of the fasteners division together with the one of Gandini Industria, working in parallel for the two units of Sesto San Giovanni and Canzo.