In Milan, Ermenegildo Benvenuti founds Manes, an acronym for Macchine Automatiche Nazionali ed Estere Speciali (Special National and Foreign Automatic Machines).

From the very beginning, the company is active in representing the most important German manufacturers of machinery for handling and processing powders in the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries.

Among the first brands represented: Fette and Optima.

These are years of significant industrial development in Italy. In addition to consolidating its market position, Manes takes part in fairs and expands its representation, following a “supply chain logic”. Among the new brands represented: Steinberg (now Driam) and Azo. At the end of the 1960s, Ermenegildo’s son Marco joins the company, with his innate passion for mechanics complementing his father’s commercial intuition.

These are years of transformation in Italy. The Government’s plan to develop Southern Italy promotes rapid industrial growth in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, with the arrival of American multinationals. Manes is ready, and begins its own production of machines that complement the production process and make it even more efficient. The Sherpa lifting column, the dry oscillating granulator and the cone valve are gradually developed.

Manes grows together with the market. The original site doubles in size in order to provide adequate space for new operations. However, the decision to remain in Milan confirms the strong bond with an increasingly innovative, industrious and international city.

Manes’ know-how and skills are refined: machines designed to meet each customer’s specific needs are constructed with  tailors accuracy.

Manes machines cross borders. Although operating exclusively in Italy, requests arrive from the represented German companies and from foreign subsidiaries of the multinationals we serve in Italy.

Together with the Optima Group, who we represent, we develop solutions for the biggest Italian coffee producer for industrial production of coffee pods, leading to the start of a new segment with advanced designs of absolute excellence.

The third generation joins the company, alongside the previous one, in the company’s management and organisation. With renewed enthusiasm, new ideas take shape and new horizons open up. Thanks as well to the participation to the main trade fairs (Host, Pharmintech, Ipack Ima), Manes is now a trusted choice for hundreds of customers.

We have always treasured all our past experience, in order to look further ahead with ever more innovative solutions, ready to face the next 60 years.