Leonardo-Finmeccanica, the silence of the innocent

(by Emanuela Ricci) Leonardo, or rather Finmeccanica, I propose to return to the old name, the one that saw the company among the world leaders in the field of defense and aerospace. Changing the name it was thought to give the turning point, so it was: a turn towards the abyss. This morning I ran the press review and the major Italian newspapers have dedicated the showcase to the severed head of Boldrini, appeared on social networks, or the deeds of the crowds of Macerata who shot madly on migrants. Without detracting from the gravity of the two events, another drama is taking place in Italy, of which no one talks about it, or keeps away from dealing with it. Time has made an editorial that explains in a crystalline way the story that is touching one of our "jewel", Leonardo, or rather Finmeccanica, I will continue to call the group so, because it better makes the idea and maybe awakens the conscience of someone on the upper floors of the Government. In fact, Finmeccanica is a company controlled by the Government, through the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, which holds a stake of around 30%.

On January 1st 2017, under the guide of Ing. Moretti has become Leonardo Spa and an internal restructuring has begun to rationalize expenses by structuring the company in seven operating divisions. So far everything seemed linear, then we began to cut / sell important assets like Ansaldo Energia, and part of the Rail Transport. We also risked to sell important shares of MBDA, specialized in missile engineering. The point is that certain sources of revenues have been cut that would have allowed future investments and greater resources for research and development. The result? Poor long-term futurability, or the company's decline.

Given that now you can not go back with the name, you need to team up around one of the family jewels, once more envied to the world. Teaming means, working together for a credible future, especially from the markets that have poorly digested the recent business plan presented by Ad Profumo.

The Government, but also Leonardo must move quickly, both within Italy, but above all abroad, where competition from other countries is ruthless. Leonardo must become more humble and get off a pedestal that now no longer belongs to her and start working hard. It is necessary to make a "true" network among big companies, and I refer to Fincantieri and between medium and small companies that more and more often look abroad trying to become a first player in international contexts and consortia. Small and medium-sized Italian companies of high technology produce truly unique niche products from the highest quality manufacturing. Here it is necessary to start from here. Leonardo must intercept them all and put them in the system, especially for research and development. Fincantieri has always cultivated this principle and is able to offer avant-garde products that can not be replicated abroad.

As for the government, the neighbor of course must look more carefully at what other big Europeans are doing. France and Germany do not seem to comply to the letter with the dictates of UN sanctions against third countries. Recent revelations confirm that France, Germany but also England make orders with Russia, Iran, Iraq (where Leonardo was present ..), Qatar etc. without any problem. Yesterday it was discovered that at the North Korean Embassy in Berlin, trade was taking place for "dual use" technology products, which are likely to be used for Kim Jung un's missile and nuclear programs.

So, Italy awake because nothing is lost, Leonardo has a great chance to be able to enter with Fincantieri in the affair with Stx-France, even if the French are aiming for the transalpine Thales. Working hard, with a credible strategy, making a system also with the Italian position in foreign policy, could be the key turning point. In Iraq, for example, it has to rebuild a country from scratch, Italy can not miss this opportunity.

 

Leonardo-Finmeccanica, the silence of the innocent

| OPINIONS, PRP Channel |