by Redazione
A journey across one hundred enterprises symbolizing Italy’s sports supply chain — artisanal, technological and sustainable — is told through the report promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Farnesina), Symbola Foundation and Confartigianato, with Deloitte as knowledge partner. The project celebrates sport as a cultural asset and as an ambassador of Italian identity around the world.
These one hundred examples of productive, artisanal, and technological excellence, distributed throughout all Italian regions, bear witness to a nation that competes and innovates through sport. The report “100 Italian Stories of Sport”, promoted and produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Symbola Foundation and Confartigianato, with Deloitte as knowledge partner, sheds light on how behind every sport lies a universe of solutions and technologies that enhance performance, safety, spectacle, and sustainability. Italy has developed a genuine specialization in this field, thanks to a rich production network that combines artisanal culture, innovation, and sustainability — elevating local know-how across its territories. For this reason, in Italy, sport has evolved into a true form of manufacturing art. Italy ranks second worldwide for the diversity of its production, a distinctive feature that characterizes the entire national economy and is exemplified in its sports system. The Italian sports supply chain consists of numerous highly specialized enterprises capable of operating successfully in diverse and often niche markets.
Sport as Cultural Heritage
Behind every product, every innovation, and every sporting achievement lies a network of enterprises that interpret sport not merely as a market, but as a cultural heritage to preserve, promote, and evolve. The one hundred selected companies comprise 256 local units, employing 20,716 people and generating a turnover of €13.1 billion. This group represents about 2.4% of the total turnover of active companies in the relevant sectors (approximately 65,000 in total). These activities are mainly located in northern Italy (nearly 80% of production facilities), with turnover and employment concentrated in the North-East, accounting for over 70% and 60% respectively. Average turnover per employee amounts to €630,864, indicating a productivity level significantly above the sector average — about three times higher than the overall benchmark and 2.6 times higher than the national economic average. These figures confirm the remarkable efficiency and competitiveness of the enterprises studied, many of which serve as industry benchmarks, driving innovation and growth across the national and international sports ecosystem.
Abodi: “Business and Sport Share the Same Principles”
In his remarks, the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, highlighted that, one hundred days before the Milan-Cortina Olympics, “these stories testify to the deep bond between those who practice sport and those who create value — between artisans and the champions who inspire new generations. Sport and business share the same principles: commitment, a culture of merit, and teamwork to advance our country.”On available resources, the Minister added: “We are fortunate to have legislation that provides public funding for sport, already ensuring financial support for our needs. We are working to introduce tax credits for infrastructure and youth development investments, and to understand how to best support football and other major disciplines with broad grassroots bases. We must all make the most of what we have, aware that this budget still bears the legacy of the past.” Finally, Minister Abodi praised Deloitte’s work: “I thank Deloitte, because it is by no means obvious that a reality such as yours supports not only Milan-Cortina but also the broader Olympic program of the IOC, which is far more complex. It has become clear how vital analysis, research and study are — not just in quantitative terms, but in how they translate into tangible improvements in daily life. Deloitte’s studies and analyses generate solutions that truly enhance people’s quality of life. That is our ultimate goal, even as we seek to help businesses and strengthen the entire sports system.”
Lanzillo: “Sport as an Ambassador of Italian Excellence”
Ernesto Lanzillo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Deloitte & Touche S.p.A. and Deloitte Private Leader for Deloitte Central Mediterranean (Italy, Greece and Malta), stated:“Italy’s sports industry continues to prove its ability to compete internationally, thanks to the capacity of our enterprises to play leading roles. Investments, innovation, skills, and the artisanal tradition that characterize Italian entrepreneurship are the indispensable foundation of a model first conceived within the sports sector and, thanks to its quality, extended to other production areas. Technological research — increasingly advanced — enables top performance while preserving the attention to detail that makes Italian production distinctive and unmatched. The stories and data collected in this publication confirm that sport is an essential driver of our society’s development, not only in competitive terms but also as an ambassador of Italian identity and the culture of beauty and craftsmanship in every region of our country. It is therefore crucial to approach this sector with a strategic vision, fostering stronger public-private collaboration for the long-term growth of Made in Italy in the field of sport.”
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L’articolo 100 Italian Stories of Sport: the excellence of Made in Italy that runs, innovates, and inspires proviene da Associated Medias.
