In a market environment where demand remains weak but stable and margins continue to come under pressure, the supply chain should “increasingly move away from a product-only approach towards a service-oriented model based on industrial integration”, with “technology, service, expertise and collaboration between companies” becoming “key drivers of competitiveness”. This is the view of Francesco Manni, Chairman of Manni Group, who will be attending Made in Steel 2027 with Manni Sipre.
The Group is already pursuing this approach along four strategic lines: “Diversifying target markets and sectors; improving process efficiency; investing in automation and digitalisation; and enhancing the quality of service offered to customers.”
What is the current state of the market for pre-processed steel and steel products for structural applications, and what are the main factors affecting demand and profitability?
The market for pre-processed steel and steel products for structural applications continues to operate in an environment characterised by weak but broadly stable demand and significant pressure on margins. The European market outlook confirms this picture. Following the 4.4% increase in apparent steel consumption recorded in 2025, partly driven by temporary factors, Eurofer forecasts very limited growth of around 0.4% for 2026. Demand therefore remains below pre-pandemic levels. The main factors weighing on profitability are weak downstream demand, high energy and logistics costs, competitive pressure from imports of finished products, and increasing regulatory and administrative complexity. These factors are compounded by geopolitical uncertainty and the difficulty of fully passing cost increases on to end customers. In this environment, reliability and delivery times are becoming increasingly important. The need to reduce supply chain risks is prompting many companies to favour closer suppliers capable of ensuring material availability, integrated processing and greater predictability in deliveries.
Which customer sectors do you currently see as the most dynamic, and which are showing the clearest signs of weakness? Which segments could offer the greatest opportunities in the medium term?
The various steel-consuming sectors are progressing at different rates. Among the most resilient segments, we see construction and infrastructure first and foremost, supported by public investment and network modernisation programmes. Eurofer forecasts growth in the construction sector of approximately 1.5% in 2026 and 2.9% in 2027. Other promising areas include sectors linked to the energy transition, railway infrastructure and mobility, as well as industrial and logistics construction. Opportunities are also emerging in highly technical applications, where the ability to supply pre-processed components ready for subsequent production stages represents an important competitive advantage. By contrast, the automotive sector continues to show signs of weakness, affected by subdued European demand and the ongoing transformation of the industry. Certain segments of the residential construction market are also facing difficulties. In the medium term, we see the greatest opportunities in infrastructure, renewable energy, the renovation and upgrading of existing buildings, offsite and industrialised construction, and industrial sectors with a growing need for prefabrication and a reduction in in-house processing activities.
What is your market outlook for the second half of the year and for 2027? What strategic priorities has Manni Sipre established to navigate the next phase of the steel industry cycle?
For the second half of 2026, we expect market conditions to remain broadly stable, with no significant acceleration in demand and continued competitive pressure affecting prices. The outlook for 2027 is more positive, although we anticipate a gradual recovery rather than an abrupt change in the market cycle. Eurofer’s latest outlook forecasts an increase of approximately 2.2% in European apparent steel consumption in 2027. Against this backdrop, Manni Sipre is focusing on several clear priorities: further diversifying its target markets and sectors, improving process efficiency, investing in automation and digitalisation, and enhancing the quality of service offered to customers. Our goal is to move increasingly beyond the traditional role of steel supplier and become an industrial partner capable of integrating materials, processing technologies, technical expertise, logistics and services, thereby reducing complexity and lead times for customers.
Manni Sipre will be one of the key participants at Made in Steel 2027. What message will you bring to Fiera Milano, and which topics are likely to feature most prominently in discussions among steel industry stakeholders?
Our first message is that steel remains a strategic asset for Italian and European industry. It underpins construction, infrastructure, energy and a large part of the mechanical engineering and manufacturing sectors. At the same time, we believe the supply chain must increasingly move away from a product-only approach towards a service-oriented model based on industrial integration. In construction, for example, steel and offsite building systems can help drive greater industrialisation of processes, reduce on-site activities and support the renovation and upgrading of existing buildings. In manufacturing, meanwhile, increasingly advanced processing technologies enable customers to receive components that are closer to their final configuration, simplifying subsequent production stages. At Made in Steel, we will therefore present a vision of the supply chain in which technology, service, expertise and collaboration between companies are central to competitiveness.
What are your expectations for the 2027 edition of this international event, and what tangible opportunities do you expect it to generate?
Made in Steel is first and foremost an important opportunity to engage with the entire supply chain, including customers, suppliers, industry associations, technology partners and institutions. At a time when digitalisation and artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming the way we work, we believe it is more important than ever to recognise the value of people, expertise and industrial relationships. Events such as Made in Steel also provide an opportunity to develop a shared vision of the major issues facing the sector: the competitiveness of European industry, sourcing and procurement, innovation, offsite and industrialised construction, and supply chain traceability and circularity based on measurable data and processes. These are challenges that no company can address on its own. Dialogue among industry stakeholders is therefore essential to promoting and strengthening the excellence of the Italian and European steel industry.
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