A profound transformation is reshaping the cornerstone of our economy. And opportunities abound, explains Eoptis co‑founder Luca Clementel.
Italian (and European) manufacturing is undergoing a phase of profound transformation. Geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties, high energy and raw material prices, and a shortage of skilled personnel are compounded by challenges such as limited investment in R&D and an excessive focus on mid-tech or even low-tech industries. Can we call it a crisis? Only if we return to the Greek etymology of the term: krísis, meaning choice, decision, a crucial turning point. Some horizons are closing, others are opening. This awareness was palpable at MECSPE, one of Europe’s leading trade fairs for innovative manufacturing.
Eoptis was also present at MECSPE, with its colorimeters showcased at the Metreo stand and co‑founder and product manager Luca Clementel attending the event. We spoke with him to get a sense of the mood at the fair. Here’s what he shared with us.
The conversation
What is your overall opinion of the fair?
MECSPE is an important event for the entire Italian manufacturing sector, a place where you can really take the pulse of the industry. It is a major showcase for companies operating in areas relevant to Eoptis and the whole Optoi Group, such as automation, mechanical machining, electronic subcontracting, and quality control. This is why our colorimetric measurement technologies were featured at the stand of our partner Metreo, as well as at other booths. They have now become a standard solution, for example in industrial automation for welding processes.
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What was the sentiment? Especially in relation to the slowdown in the German economy?
Italian entrepreneurs are well aware of the complex global geopolitical landscape, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The tariffs that Trump is preparing to introduce are a source of concern, as are rising energy prices. And Germany is our main trading partner — a market worth over seventy billion for our manufacturing sector — so its slowdown is understandably worrying. That said, it may not necessarily persist into 2026. In any case, situations like this are cyclical and should be viewed as an opportunity, however painful they may be. A downturn in production frees up time to focus on new developments, which inevitably means innovation and production optimization. And when it comes to innovation and production optimization, we are on fertile ground for Eoptis’ technological platforms, which can be integrated into application areas such as robotics, mechanical engineering, and agritech.
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What are you taking home with you, as an entrepreneur?
I clearly sensed a strong appetite for tangible, real-world innovation — both across the various booths and in the talks and round tables held during MECSPE. The idea is increasingly taking hold that it is possible to find efficient and effective solutions to everyday problems and challenges by using technologies that, until only a few years ago, were associated with research centers or high-growth startups. These technologies are now being integrated into production lines, with a focus on robustness, flexibility, and short time-to-market. I’m thinking, for example, of additive manufacturing techniques (which were very prominent at MECSPE) as well as AI-based solutions.
