A Bolzoni ETX-G3S intelligent carton clamp.

Forklift attachment maker Bolzoni SpA has been recognised as one of 10 "most dynamic and innovative companies" in the Italian mechanical and engineering industry.

The Federation of the Italian Associations of Mechanical & Engineering Industries (ANIMA) analysed companies based on data collected by the statistical office of the European Communities (Eurostat), data from the Patent Register and data from the third Community Innovation Survey (CIS-3), Bolzoni marketing director Carlo Fallarini said.

Bolzoni's financial results also were taken into account. The company's turnover grew 80 per cent in the past five years and its return on investment was double the Italian mechanical industry average in 2005, Fallarini said.

The CIS-3, conducted by European statistical offices and research institutes, is used to monitor Europe's progress in innovation. Its methodology is based on the Oslo manual, a joint publication of Eurostat and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development.

ANIMA represents major Italian companies in the mechanical and engineering industry. Established in 1914, it has more than 1,000 member companies and more than 60 associations and groups within the organisation.

A case study of the 10 award-winning companies, "Innovation in the mechanical sector: some specific cases", is available in Italian at: www.anima-it.com/servizi/servizi_studi.htm.