Tecnomasio
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Scientific instruments, Electrical apparatus, Industrial electrical machinery |
| Founded | 1863 |
| Founder | Luigi Longoni, Carlo Dell'Acqua, Ignazio Porro |
| Fate | Acquired by Brown Boveri, became Tecnomasio Italiano Brown Boveri (TIBB) |
| Headquarters | Milan , Italy |
| Products | Scientific instruments (microscopes, heliostats, cathetometers, theodolites, arc lamps), electrical generators, transformers, locomotives |
Tecnomasio was an Italian company specializing in scientific and precision instruments, established during the 1860s. By the dawn of the 20th century, its operations had broadened to include the manufacture of electrical apparatus. After encountering financial setbacks, the firm was acquired by Brown Boveri, leading to the creation of Tecnomasio Italiano Brown Boveri (TIBB). At this point, the company discontinued its instrument production to concentrate on industrial electrical machinery, ultimately becoming a prominent industrial entity in Italy.
In 1988, following the merger that formed ABB, Tecnomasio was integrated into this new group as ABB Tecnomasio. The manufacturing site at Vado Ligure later became part of Adtranz and subsequently joined Bombardier's transportation division.
History
The origins of Tecnomasio date back to 1863 when engineer Luigi Longoni, instrument craftsman Carlo Dell'Acqua, and optical scientist Ignazio Porro established a firm in Milan. Porro departed in 1864 and was succeeded by photographer Alessandro Duroni, resulting in the partnership named Duroni, Longoni, Dell'Acqua. Duroni left two years later in 1866, followed by Dell'Acqua in 1868, leaving Longoni as the sole proprietor. Bartolomeo Cabella became involved in 1870 and assumed leadership after Longoni’s death in 1871.
The company initially specialized in manufacturing scientific equipment such as microscopes, heliostats, cathetometers, theodolites, and arc lamps. Under Cabella’s guidance, it expanded its product range to include industrial electromechanical devices like alternators and dynamos. In 1898, it was incorporated as Società Anonima Tecnomasio Italiano ing. B. Cabella e C.. By 1903, amid financial difficulties, Cabella was replaced and Brown Boveri acquired a half stake, resulting in the formation of Tecnomasio Italiano Brown Boveri (TIBB). Subsequently, the company shifted away from instrument production toward industrial electrical equipment.
In addition to this acquisition, Brown Boveri purchased Milan-based electromechanical manufacturer Gadda e C. in 1908 and took over the Westinghouse factory at Vado Ligure in 1921. These facilities played a key role over several decades by supplying electrical generators and transformers for Italy’s hydroelectric infrastructure. Tecnomasio also contributed to railway electrification efforts such as the Bolzano-Brenner line through its involvement with Sae.
The factories suffered severe damage from bombing during World War II; however, post-war operations resumed with production focusing on locomotives, large-scale electrical generators, and household appliances.
After Brown Boveri merged with ASEA in 1988 creating ABB Group, Tecnomasio became part of ABB. Later on, the Vado Ligure plant was incorporated into Adtranz, which was subsequently absorbed by DaimlerChrysler Rail System (Italia) SpA. As of 2010, this facility operates under Bombardier Transportation Italy S.p.A., concentrating on locomotive manufacturing.
Locomotives
In 1911, TIBB delivered FS Class E.320 electric locomotives for Italian Railways; meanwhile, between 1908 and 1920 the Westinghouse plant at Vado Ligure produced the FS Class E.550. With Italian state railways adopting a 3 kV DC electrification system, prototypes of the FS Class E.625 were constructed at Vado Ligure.
Following World War II, notable models included the FS Class E.424 from the 1940s, the FS Class E.636 during the 1950s, and the FS Class E.646 throughout the 1960s. The subsequent decades saw production of the FS Class E.444 and FS Class E.656, while electronic chopper control technology was introduced on the FS Class E.632 in the 1980s. In the 1990s, TIBB participated in a consortium responsible for manufacturing high-speed ETR 500 trains.
From that decade onward, locomotive production transitioned to ABB’s inverter-controlled AC induction motor technology featured in multivoltage locomotives such as the FS Class E.412, which were delivered under Adtranz management. The FS Class E.464, a single-cab electric locomotive produced at Vado Ligure beginning in 1996, became one of Italy’s most widely ordered models with over 600 units; manufacturing continued under Bombardier ownership thereafter.
See also
- List of Italian companies
- Lodi T.I.B.B. (Milan Metro), metro stop bearing the TIBB name