History
A long road traveled with the same passion from the beginning.
1947
The foundation
- On June 15th, 1947, Lodovico Geninat founds Vigel, a Machine Tool Company in Turin.
- Craft production of lead screw tapping machines begins in a small rented workshop.
1950’s
- In the 50s the production in small series begins of the ALFA-BETA bench type tapping machines followed by ALFA-TR & DELTA models.
- Patent granted in most European countries.
1960’s
- In 1961, Vigel relocates to Borgaro, first town north of Turin.
- The large scale production of M65 – M65/T begins.
- During the decade Vigel takes part in the main exhibitions, Bimu Milan 1960, Moscow 1962, Brussels, Paris etc.
- The Vigel trademark makes progress abroad.
- The design and manufacturing of components for Modular Transfer Machines starts.
1970’s
- First extension of Borgaro plant.
- Strong success in supplying Modular Transfer Machines like the BM 135 – BC 180 and BCM 270.
- Development of larger components size for Special and Transfer Machines such as: Slides Units, Spindles, Multiple-Spindle Heads, Rotary Tables.
- Beginning of the supplies for the Automotive Industry in Europe.
1980’s
- First approach to the US market through collaboration with Snow Manufacturing in Bellwood Il, 1981.
- Vigel USA starts doing business in Chicago.
- Further extension of Borgaro factory: 7.000 sq. meters under roof.
- Vigel name is now well recognized among the most qualified producers of special purpose machines - 4.800 MCs installed worldwide.
- Introducing “Vigel Modulflex” CNC Modular Production Systems.
- Success in the Indian market with Bajaj Auto, the two wheeler local leading company, supply of a flexible engine production line and a license is granted to manufacture special machines.
1990’s
- Opening of the second factory in Rivarolo: 5.000 sq. meters under roof.
- IRMU is the Group’s structure for retooling and refurbishing of machinery.
- In 1992, Vigel France starts its operations.
- TRW Automotive first program acquired, VW rear brakes - Lean Manufacturing Cell, 1 Million brakes per year followed by 2 additional Cells, 19 MCs in total.
- Consolidation of the range of Multi-Axis CNC Working
Modules for Flexible Transfer Lines & Production Cells. - Vigel Germany starts its operations in 1997.
- ISO 9001, Vigel obtains from DNV the Quality System Certification (Nov. 1998).
2000’s
- Ford Motor Company grants Vigel with the “Q1” Award (Jan. 2000).
- Foundation of Vigel North America Inc. in Taylor Michigan (2000).
- From Special to Standard Machines, following the vision of the Managing
Director Dr. Alberto Pesce, Vigel redesigns completely the range of products and its approach to the market. These are the years when the foundations are laid to bring Vigel among the pioneers of the Multi-Spindle Technology. - The Twin Plus platform wins an international tender in Bosch, 16 MCs delivered
to their facilities in Europe (2000) & US (2001). - In 2004 the first TW500 Bi.Z installed in Brembo.
- First Full Flexible line for 3.2 million/year con-rod in Metaldyne Mexico, 2005.
- Vigel India Manufacturing Technologies Pvt. Ltd. starts its operations in Pune with 2.700 sq. meters covered (2006/2007).
- On June 15th, 2007, Dr. Alberto Pesce (Vigel MD) and Mrs Ettorina Geninat (Vigel Group President) celebrate the 60th Anniversary
and inaugurate a brand new infrastructure based in Borgaro, 33.000 sq. meters of land, 15.000 sq. meters covered. - The start of a global partnership - 1st MC installed in SMW, China (2007).
- Vigel starts doing business with Hitachi Automotive, first supply in 2008, Japan.
- Over 60 years after its foundation Vigel is recognized as one of the most qualified & reliable suppliers of Multispindle Machining Centers and Turn-Key Solutions.
- Magneti Marelli relies on Vigel for the BMW L7 Knuckles Program. 16 MCs with self-loading technology in 2010.
- General Motors Bay City US relies on Vigel for the supply of three full flexible connecting rod lines.
2010’s
- Chassix strengthens the global alliance with Vigel started with SMW, over 100 MCs installed.
- Brembo, Montupet and Pierburg rely on Vigel TW 500H for their operations.
- China 2011, opening of “Vigel Technical Service Co, Ltd” in Suzhou.
- TRW awards Vigel with the new VW ABS program for North America.
- It strengthens the partnership with Metaldyne, 1st Connecting Rods Cracking MC, 2011.
- TRW selects Vigel as supplier for the green field operation in Wuhan, 1st of 51 MCs installed for caliper housing and brackets, 2011.
- Mexico 2012, starting of “Vigel Service Mexico s.r.l. c.v.” in Queretaro.
- Japan 2013, Special Award by Hitachi Automotive System.
- TRW selects Vigel as supplier for the new green field operation in ZGJ, 1st of 60 MCs installed for caliper housing and brackets, 2014.
- Premier Prize of excellence: Vigel honored with the “ZF-TRW Supplier Awards”,2015.
- Vigel awarded with VW MQB, VW MLB EVO, Opel E2XX and Fiat BSUV programs, 4MSH Cells, total of 16 MCs in ZF-TRW Liberec.
- The global partnership with Sakthi Auto US starts, 1st MC installed in 2015.
- In 2016 Vigel North America Inc. relocates to Madison Heights, Michigan, reinforcing its presence in North America.
- New infrastructure base for Vigel Technical Service Co, Ltd. in Suzhou, 2016.
- In 2017 1st order for a total of 12 MCs TW 660H lineare, the new Platform 6 with linear motors.
- Since 1947 Vigel has been constantly growing, for this reason, we thank our successful customers, who have shared our technology.
2020
- Brembo , Bonfiglioli , Aludyne , WBTL rely on Vigel Linear Technology for their key operations.
- Bi 1600V: new technology developed to attack the machining of giga casting parts.
- Tesla 1st program acquired (2020) : #4 Bi 1600V Fremont Plant for 1cast rear underbody.
- Vigel becomes the 1st player in successfully completing the machining of GiGa cast underbody.
- Tesla Shanghai relies on Vigel Bi1600V for their rear underbody line (2021).
- GiGa Bi 1600 lineare new solution to approch the machining of all type of front and rear 1 cast underbody in 1 clamping position.
- Vigel strengthens the partnership with Tesla Motors, Vigel has been selected as preferential supplier for their lines for front and
rear underbodies also for their operation in Tesla Austin (US) and Tesla Berlin (Germany). - Xpev & Xiaomi also rely on Vigel GiGa Bi 1600 lineare for their first lines for front and rear 1 cast underbody.
- Vigel & GiGa Bi 1600 lineare awarded by Ford Motor Company for their prestigious programs V710 BEV-E & V363 BEV-H for battery tray complete machining.
- Vigel today is leading and contributing with its machining
technology to the new trends in EV market globally. - Chang’an Auto relies on Vigel for their 1st program 1 cast front and rear underbody for a total of 13 GiGa Bi 1600 lineare phase 1.
- Vigel Machinery China Co.,Ltd starts its new operation (2023) reinforcing Vigel long time presence in China.
- In 2023 Vigel India Manufacturing Technology and Vigel HQ in Torino both expand their productive plants.
- 3rd Generation Vigel Board Members & Leadership: Mr. Fabrizio Lodovico Pesce & Mrs. Francesca Pesce
- Volvo Cars relies on Vigel GiGa Bi1600 for their 1st lines in Sweden and China for 1 cast rear underbody machining. 1st Order by Volvo to Vigel.
- On July 27th 2023 Vigel acquired from DMG Mori the CTV vertical pick up lathes technology, that represents a natural extension of Vigel technology in line with the group strategy of carving out market shares also in the machining of round parts
- Vigel receives the 1st order from VW thanks to the CTV technology acquisition as preferential technology for their machining assets for homokinetic joints.
- WBTL strengthens the partnership with Vigel for their operations in China and Mexico , over 100 Linear Machines for braking and chassix components.
