Italy Launches Observatory To Boost Global Manufacturing

On January 26, 2026, a significant step was taken to bolster Italy’s manufacturing sector on the global stage. At Rome’s Luiss University, the Osservatorio permanente sulle filiere manifatturiere italiane nei mercati internazionali – Manifattura 360°—a permanent observatory dedicated to Italian manufacturing supply chains in international markets—was officially unveiled. This initiative, promoted by the Centro di Ricerca Luiss in Strategic Change “Franco Fontana” in collaboration with Philip Morris Italia, aims to serve as a robust analytical tool for businesses, institutions, and policymakers as they navigate the turbulent waters of international trade and evolving production systems.

The launch event was marked by a sense of urgency and collaboration, reflecting the challenges facing Italian industry today. The gathering began with institutional greetings from Enzo Peruffo, Prorector for Didactics at Luiss and Director of the Centro di Ricerca in Strategic Change, and Stefano Manzocchi, Prorector for Research and Third Mission at Luiss. Their opening remarks set the tone for a day focused on the complexities and opportunities that define Italian manufacturing’s international journey.

Central to the event was the presentation of the white paper, “Il futuro delle filiere manifatturiere italiane nel contesto globale: tra sfide e opportunità” (“The Future of Italian Manufacturing Supply Chains in the Global Context: Between Challenges and Opportunities”). This comprehensive report, illustrated by Maria Elena Nenni, professor of International Operations and Supply Chain Management at Luiss and leader of the research team, delved deep into the resilience and vulnerabilities of Italian supply chains as they face foreign markets, tariff risks, and external shocks.

The report’s findings painted a picture of a global context that is, as many speakers noted, far less predictable than in years past. According to Adnkronos, the white paper analyzed how geopolitical shocks and trade tensions are reshaping global value chains. These disruptions ripple through every stage of industrial processes, from the procurement of production factors to the final access to markets. The research didn’t just stop at identifying problems—it also mapped out future scenarios and proposed strategies for adaptation, including targeted industrial policies to support export and enhance the competitiveness of the Made in Italy brand.

Commentary from government officials added further weight to the discussion. Simone Turchetta, Head of the Export Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), and Natalino Loffredo, Ministerial Adviser at MAECI, both offered insights into how Italian diplomacy and government action are working to safeguard and promote Italian supply chains abroad. Their remarks underscored the importance of having timely, actionable data and analysis to inform strategic decisions in a rapidly shifting global environment.

The event’s roundtable brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including Valentino Valentini, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy; Pasquale Frega, CEO of Philip Morris Italia; Marco Felisati, Director of International Affairs of Confindustria; and Ambassador Giampiero Massolo, Director of the Geopolitical Risk Observatory at Luiss. Their perspectives highlighted not only the challenges but also the collaborative spirit required to overcome them.

Valentini’s remarks captured the mood of the day: “The permanent observatory on Italian manufacturing supply chains in international markets offers us an important tool for understanding global trends in an increasingly complex and uncertain international context. Supply chains are the fundamental structure of our production system; they are the environment in which our many small, medium, and micro enterprises—together with the large ones—manage to integrate and remain competitive in the markets. At the same time, they are a fragile environment, to be protected and supported in continuous innovation. This is where digital transition becomes important, because in an economy centered on process rather than product, data management allows us to integrate capabilities, knowledge, and potential. The information we receive from the observatory is and will be useful for our ability to intervene and respond quickly to the needs of businesses.”

Pasquale Frega echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the power of unity and systemic collaboration: “Being here today, together with institutions, businesses, and academia, confirms a truth: Italy grows when it acts as a system. Export is one of the most important growth drivers for our economy and, as a country system, we must promote and protect it from the challenges that arise daily in the international landscape. Promoting Made in Italy means opening new markets and removing those obstacles that prevent our excellent products from expressing their full competitiveness: this is what our government and economic diplomacy are increasingly doing, working to support Italian supply chains’ access to the most dynamic markets. For this reason, we are proud to have promoted, together with Luiss, the creation of this observatory, which has already received the patronage of important institutions: a tool to strengthen public-private collaboration, to support export, innovation, and the development of our talents, turning uncertainty into a competitive advantage for Italy.”

As reported by Adnkronos, the observatory is designed to analyze ongoing transformations, with a particular focus on internationalization processes. Its approach integrates global trend analysis and the collection of primary data, aiming to provide interpretative tools and strategic support for both companies and institutions. For Italian businesses—especially small and medium-sized enterprises—having access to integrated tools that can interpret the evolution of supply chains is now a decisive competitive factor.

Enzo Peruffo highlighted this point, stating, “For businesses, and particularly for SMEs, having tools capable of reading the evolution of supply chains in an integrated way is today a decisive competitive factor. The collaboration with Philip Morris Italia fits into this perspective, enhancing a supply chain approach and the role of major industrial players in reading and managing ongoing changes.”

The observatory, which draws on the academic and multidisciplinary expertise of Luiss University, stands at the intersection of several key drivers of change. Its mission is to support the internationalization of Italian manufacturing by providing timely, actionable intelligence that can help businesses and policymakers respond swiftly to new challenges. In a world where shocks can come from any direction—be it geopolitical instability, sudden tariff changes, or shifts in global demand—such a resource is more valuable than ever.

Looking ahead, the hope expressed by many at the event is that the observatory will serve not just as a passive monitor but as an active partner in Italy’s ongoing industrial transition. By fostering public-private collaboration and emphasizing innovation, data integration, and strategic foresight, Manifattura 360° aims to turn the uncertainties of today’s global market into opportunities for Italian industry tomorrow.

Italy’s manufacturing sector has always been a blend of tradition and innovation, resilience and vulnerability. With the launch of this observatory, stakeholders are betting that the right mix of analysis, collaboration, and adaptability can keep the country’s supply chains strong and its exports thriving—no matter what the future holds.