Sommaruga: “Knowledge, when shared, grows exponentially”

The future of the aerospace sector also runs through Lombardy, where research, manufacturing, and the supply chain are forming an increasingly structured alliance year after year. Founded in 2009 at the initiative of eight companies and Confindustria Varese, the Lombardia Aerospace Cluster today represents the regional aerospace system as a whole: more than 200 companies, nearly 22,000 employees, annual revenues of around €6.3 billion, and exports worth close to €1 billion—almost a quarter of the national total.

This ecosystem is supported by four universities and two research centers. The association fosters networking, facilitates knowledge transfer, and promotes the supply chain in international markets. We spoke with Michele Sommaruga, who follows the cluster’s activities on behalf of Electron Mec.

You recently took part in two important cluster events. How was the agenda structured?

“On April 10, I attended the meeting organized by the Lombardy Cluster with companies based in the Milan area. Then, on April 23, Dr. Calligarich and I took part in the annual members’ assembly, where the financial statements were approved and, above all, the 2026 action plan was presented—highlighting the areas in which we can contribute with our expertise.”

In which direction is the scope of the cluster evolving?

“The Lombardy Cluster is expanding in a more integrated way toward the supply chain, no longer focusing solely on end-product manufacturers. In the past, it was seen mainly as a network of industries producing aircraft or avionics and space systems; today, its scope has broadened to include companies that provide enabling technologies.”

One of the new initiatives is the members’ platform. How does it work?

“It is a key tool that catalogs and showcases each member through a detailed profile of the company’s competencies and activities. Thanks to a user‑friendly interface, it allows users to navigate the different corporate identities, their experience, capabilities, research activities, products, technological know‑how, and ongoing projects.”

How has the membership base evolved over time?

“Over the past ten years, the cluster has grown from around ten companies to approximately 120, and it continues to expand precisely because it is increasingly focused on the supply chain, opening up broader opportunities for development and collaboration. It is no coincidence that its core objectives include building networks, creating shared knowledge, and promoting Lombard industry.”

What services does the cluster offer to its members in practice?

“The cluster provides services aimed at improving quality and efficiency by promoting standardized procedures and qualifications, which are also useful in recruitment processes. It enables the networking of professional profiles, consulting services, and expertise. In addition, it has signed important agreements with industry specialists, research centers, and universities to facilitate knowledge transfer and strengthen connections, while also helping universities align student training with the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s industry.”

How does the cluster interact with other industrial sectors?

“These support activities benefit the Lombard aerospace industry as a whole, but there is also strong integration with other clusters. The dialogue extends to Italian industry at large, including the medical sector and the technology sector in its broadest and most diverse forms.”

Is there a guiding principle that encapsulates the spirit of the cluster?

“Knowledge—experience has shown—grows significantly only when it is shared: a nineteenth‑century concept that is fully reaffirmed today. The Lombard network is turning this principle into shared growth, helping Italy strengthen its increasingly prominent role in Europe and beyond. Sharing lies at the very foundation of industry associations and clusters, which—by fostering interaction among companies, exchanging information, and raising technological standards and quality—enable us to face the future as protagonists.”