Historical Trademarks of Made in Italy: Valente SpA
26 March, 2026
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Historical Trademarks of Made in Italy: Valente SpA
The March column of We the Italians magazine takes us on a journey to discover an Italian industrial reality capable of combining tradition, innovation and global vision: Valente S.p.A., a company that has literally been running on the rails of development for more than a century.
Founded in 1919, Valente has spanned 106 years of industrial history without ever stopping, keeping its production activities alive at its plant in Lainate, just outside Milan. Specializing in the processing and distribution of rails, the company has gradually expanded its reach far beyond the railway sector, bringing its know-how to contexts that are often far from the common imagination: from ports to underground tunnels and mines.
A concrete example of how Made in Italy knows how to carve out a leading role for itself even in niche markets but with a global reach. Suffice it to say that more than 90 percent of international trade travels by sea, making the development of increasingly efficient port infrastructure strategic: an area in which Valente has been able to establish itself as a key player.
In the early days, however, the vision was more traditional. Founder Vincenzo Valente, who liked to describe himself as “a Neapolitan industrialist who never failed,” aimed mainly at the railroad sector. The company went through complex times, coming close to closure in the 1980s, but never giving up: no layoffs and, above all, a new phase of growth thanks to the entry of Alberto Menoncello.
With a background in finance, a degree from Bocconi and a master’s degree from Harvard, Menoncello was able to read the company’s potential and guide its transformation. The strategic decision to focus on highly specialized segments, particularly rail handling systems for commercial ports, marked Valente’s rebirth. Today Menoncello is CEO and president, flanked by his son Luca, general manager.