This book analyzes the wrapping and packaging machinery sector in the Emilia Bologna district
in Italy and compares the most recent trends with those in the industry in Schwäbisch Hall and
Waiblingen Baden-Württemberg Germany which represents a direct rival. In a detailed and
original study the authors trace the evolution of manufacturing in Bologna during a period
that witnessed extraordinary growth in automatic wrapping and packaging machines leading the
sector to become a central pillar of Italian mechanical engineering. Similarly the history of
the industry in the Emilia district is described highlighting the factors that led to its
success. A comprehensive comparative analysis of the German and Italian sectors is then
performed. Export figures and the trade balance for the sector are examined based on Eurostat
data and the significance of the two districts in terms of global trade is identified with
reference to UN data. In addition the number of companies sales and the size of the
workforces are thoroughly compared. The book will be of interest to economists and others with
an interest in the development and importance of the automatic packaging machinery sector.
