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This factory is part of a former industrial complex which core dates back to 1887. On that year a machine shop was opened by Costruzioni Meccaniche di Saronno - founded by the German Maschinenfabrik Esslingen - with the aim to make steam engines and automobiles. In 1925 both the Italian company and the factory were taken over by Mr. Nicola Romeo (founder of Alfa Romeo) and assigned to a special company: CEMSA-Costruzioni Elettro Meccaniche di Saronno. Ten years later another changeover: CEMSA was acquired by Caproni aircraft manufacturing company. This step signed the entrance of Isotta Fraschini into the business. This was a renowned luxury car manufacturer owned by Caproni too. In the late 30s Isotta Fraschini began to set up the production of airplane engines in Saronno, within the CEMSA plant. In this site a large amount of war productions were concentrated during the Second World War, especially after the severe destruction of Caproni factory in Milan: light alloys (Magnesium Elektron), petrol and diesel engines, military trucks and gunnery.
Once the war was over, both Isotta Fraschini and CEMSA made several attempts to convert war production into civil one, miserably failing. In 1948 CEMSA ceased to exist, while Isotta Fraschini was putted in receivership by FIM, the state fund for the recover of engineering industry. In 1955 the engine division of Isotta Fraschini merged with the same one of Breda (a relevant engineering company), giving birth to Fabbrica Automobili Isotta Fraschini e Motori Breda. After five years of inactivity, this company reopened the Saronno factory to assembly buses and trolley cars. During the 60s two new factories were opened in Trieste and Bari to host the core production of diesel engines. After some relevant management transformations in early 80s, the factory of Saronno was closed in 1986. |
Left-top: the CEMSA complex in late 20s. Left-middle: war productions, artillery and Asso 750 aircraft engine. Left-bottom: overview of the site in 1984. |
