COMPETITIVE CAPABILITY AND STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION IN THE SPECIALISED SUPPLIERS INDUSTRIES: THE CASE OF THE PACKAGING MACHINERY

The mechanical engineering is one of the leading industries of Europe. A very successful case is represented by the Italian packaging machinery industry that passed through the last recession without relevant consequences. This is largely due to the evolution of the original district of Bologna towards a more modern and complex structure, now spatially enlarged to several areas of Italy. The emerging of leading firms caused the growth of about 20 groups and a change of the interfirm relations. In this paper the export performances of this industry are analysed with the financial results of a firm sample and the external growth data.