FIAMM

FIAMM is an Italian industrial brand whose name originated from Fabbrica Italiana Accumulatori Motocarri Montecchio. The company began in 1942 with a focus on electric-traction batteries and starter batteries for vehicles. Over time, it developed from an Italian accumulator producer into a supplier serving automotive manufacturers, industrial operators, distributors, and replacement markets in several countries. Its principal technical heritage is in lead-acid battery technology, covering batteries for vehicle starting applications as well as stationary and industrial uses. The business has also been associated with acoustic equipment, including horns and warning devices. FIAMM’s early development was closely linked to Italian transport and vehicle manufacturing. In 1950, the company displayed its products at motor shows alongside major automobile manufacturers, and a FIAMM battery was fitted to the Ferrari that won that year’s Mille Miglia. The company subsequently obtained an original-equipment supply relationship with Innocenti for the Lambretta scooter. During the 1970s, FIAMM expanded its original-equipment role and became a supplier to important European car manufacturers. Its industrial battery business also served major Italian operators, including SIP and Enel, indicating that the brand’s activities extended beyond automotive replacement products into infrastructure and stationary-power applications. Internationalization became more visible during the 1980s. FIAMM exported stationary batteries to the United States and established operations in two major European markets through FIAMM Germany and FIAMM France. The company also maintained a public presence through participation in motorsport and other sporting activities, including rallying, Formula 1, Formula Indy, the Paris-Dakar event, and offshore racing. In the 1990s, FIAMM introduced a new generation of professional management. During the 2000s, it opened plants outside Italy, acquired several battery distributors in Europe, and invested in battery technology and production capabilities. The modern FIAMM battery business was created through a separation from the wider FIAMM Group. The automotive-battery and industrial-battery activities based on lead-acid technology were organized as FIAMM Energy Technology. A strategic partnership with Hitachi Chemical was agreed in 2016, and FIAMM Energy Technology was formed in February 2017. Hitachi Chemical took a 51 percent stake, while the FIAMM Group retained 49 percent. The transaction involved an €86 million operation, comprising €52 million paid by Hitachi and a further €34 million capital increase. In 2020, Showa Denko acquired all of Hitachi Chemical’s shares; Hitachi Chemical subsequently changed its name to Showa Denko Materials Co. FIAMM therefore became part of the Japanese industrial-materials group while retaining its Italian industrial identity and battery-focused activities.

FIAMM was established in Italy in 1942 under the name Fabbrica Italiana Accumulatori Motocarri Montecchio. Its initial production centered on batteries for electric traction and vehicle starting. The company’s early commercial development took place alongside the expansion of Italian vehicle manufacturing. In 1950, FIAMM exhibited at motor shows with leading automobile manufacturers, and a FIAMM battery was installed in the Ferrari that won the Mille Miglia that year. Its first original-equipment supply relationship with a major brand was for Innocenti’s Lambretta scooter. During the 1970s, FIAMM became an original-equipment supplier to important European automobile manufacturers. In parallel, its stationary-battery business supplied large Italian operators, including SIP and Enel. The company expanded internationally in the following decade: it exported stationary batteries to the United States and entered Germany and France through dedicated FIAMM operations. Its sporting visibility also broadened through involvement in rallying, Formula 1, Formula Indy, Paris-Dakar, and offshore racing. In the 1990s, FIAMM appointed a new generation of professional managers. The 2000s brought further international development, including overseas plant openings, acquisitions of European battery distributors, and investment in technology. The wider FIAMM Group also explored activities beyond its core battery operations, while the automotive and industrial lead-acid divisions continued to form the basis of the battery business. The battery activities were subsequently separated from the wider FIAMM Group and organized as FIAMM Energy Technology. In November 2016, FIAMM and Hitachi Chemical signed an agreement to create an Italian-Japanese joint venture. FIAMM Energy Technology was established in February 2017, with Hitachi Chemical holding 51 percent and the FIAMM Group retaining 49 percent. The operation was valued at €86 million, consisting of a €52 million payment by Hitachi and a €34 million capital increase. Misao Nakagawa became president and Yasuhiko Nakayama became chief executive officer. In 2020, Showa Denko acquired 100 percent of Hitachi Chemical’s shares. Hitachi Chemical changed its name to Showa Denko Materials Co. from October 1, 2020. FIAMM Energy Technology consequently became part of the Showa Denko corporate group, while continuing its Italian battery-industry identity.

• 2020

  Change in controlling ownership

  [1]FIAMMen.wikipedia.org

  Showa Denko acquired all shares of Hitachi Chemical, later renamed Showa Denko Materials Co., and thereby became the owner of its FIAMM-related interest.

• 2017

  FIAMM Energy Technology established

  [1]FIAMMen.wikipedia.org

  FIAMM Energy Technology was formed, with Hitachi Chemical holding 51 percent and the FIAMM Group holding 49 percent.

• 2016

  Agreement with Hitachi Chemical

  [1]FIAMMen.wikipedia.org

  FIAMM and Hitachi Chemical signed an agreement to establish an Italian-Japanese battery joint venture.

• 2000

  Overseas plants and European distribution acquisitions

  [1]FIAMMen.wikipedia.org

  The company opened plants abroad, acquired several European battery distributors, and increased investment in technology.

• 1980

  International expansion

  [1]FIAMMen.wikipedia.org

  FIAMM began exporting stationary batteries to the United States and entered Germany and France through local operations.

• 1970

  Growth as a European automotive supplier

  [1]FIAMMen.wikipedia.org

  During the decade, FIAMM became an original-equipment supplier for important European automobile manufacturers and served major stationary-power customers such as SIP and Enel.

• 1950

  Expansion of automotive visibility

  [1]FIAMMen.wikipedia.org

  FIAMM exhibited at motor shows with major vehicle manufacturers, and a FIAMM battery was used in the Ferrari that won the Mille Miglia.

• 1950

  First major original-equipment supply

  [1]FIAMMen.wikipedia.org

  FIAMM supplied batteries for Innocenti’s Lambretta scooter, establishing an early relationship with a major vehicle brand.

• 1942

  FIAMM founded in Italy

  [1]FIAMMen.wikipedia.org

  Fabbrica Italiana Accumulatori Motocarri Montecchio was established with production focused on electric-traction and automotive starter batteries.

Industrial components focused on automotive energy storage, stationary power storage, and acoustic signaling.

• Automotive batteries · 1942

  Automotive starter batteries

  FIAMM’s automotive battery business developed from its original focus on starter batteries for motor vehicles. The products serve vehicle starting and electrical-support requirements and have been supplied both to original-equipment customers and to replacement markets. The company’s automotive history includes early supply to Innocenti’s Lambretta and later original-equipment relationships with major European automobile manufacturers.

• Industrial batteries

  Industrial and stationary batteries

  FIAMM produces and distributes batteries and accumulators for stationary and industrial use, principally associated with lead-acid technology. This part of the business expanded internationally in the 1980s, including exports to the United States, and historically served major infrastructure and utility operators such as SIP and Enel.

• Traction batteries · 1942

  Electric-traction batteries

  Electric-traction batteries formed part of FIAMM’s original manufacturing focus when the company was founded. They represent the industrial and mobility foundation from which the broader automotive and stationary-battery portfolio developed.

• Automotive acoustic equipment

  Acoustic signaling systems

  Alongside batteries, FIAMM has been associated with acoustic products for vehicles and industrial applications, including horns and warning devices. These systems extend the brand beyond energy storage into signaling and audible safety equipment.

• 1980International motorsport and sporting presence

  International

  FIAMM continued presenting itself through participation in rallying, Formula 1, Formula Indy, Paris-Dakar, and offshore racing.

  Outcome. These activities supported the brand’s performance-oriented public profile; specific sponsorship terms and campaign results are not stated in the available source.

  Source
• 1950Mille Miglia motorsport association

  Italy

  A FIAMM battery was fitted to the Ferrari that won the 1950 Mille Miglia, giving the young battery manufacturer prominent visibility in Italian motorsport.

  Outcome. The result reinforced FIAMM’s association with vehicle performance and racing, although the available source does not describe a formal advertising campaign.

  Source

• 2020

  Change of indirect ownership following Showa Denko’s acquisition of Hitachi ChemicalM&A

  Background

  Hitachi Chemical, the controlling shareholder of FIAMM Energy Technology, was acquired by Showa Denko.

  Action taken

  Showa Denko acquired 100 percent of Hitachi Chemical’s shares. From October 1, Hitachi Chemical changed its name to Showa Denko Materials Co.

  Aftermath

  FIAMM Energy Technology became part of the Showa Denko group through the acquired controlling shareholder.

  Source

• 2017

  Transfer of control of FIAMM Energy Technology to Hitachi ChemicalStrategy

  Background

  The newly established battery company was designed to combine FIAMM’s battery operations with Hitachi Chemical’s industrial resources.

  Action taken

  Hitachi Chemical acquired 51 percent of FIAMM Energy Technology, while 49 percent remained with the FIAMM Group.

  Aftermath

  Misao Nakagawa became president and Yasuhiko Nakayama became chief executive officer of FIAMM Energy Technology.

  Source

• 2016

  Agreement to create FIAMM Energy Technology with Hitachi ChemicalM&A

  Background

  FIAMM separated its automotive and industrial lead-acid battery activities from the wider FIAMM Group and sought a strategic industrial partner for the battery business.

  Action taken

  FIAMM and Hitachi Chemical signed an agreement on November 28, 2016, to establish an Italian-Japanese joint venture.

  Aftermath

  FIAMM Energy Technology was formed in February 2017, with Hitachi Chemical taking a 51 percent stake and the FIAMM Group retaining 49 percent.

  Transaction and capital-increase value. €86 million total operation; €52 million paid by Hitachi and €34 million contributed through a capital increase (2016-2017)

  Source

1. 1FIAMMen.wikipedia.org