Ferriera di Cittadella: 70 years of history, from steel to diamond wire
Seventy years are not just a number. They are a thread connecting generations, bold decisions and the ability to reinvent yourself without losing who you are. Ferriera di Cittadella celebrated this milestone on 17 May, at its Riese Pio X plant, together with employees, their families and friends: a community first, a company second. A moment to stop and recognise how much of the human experience can accumulate over seven decades of shared work. The Pirota family’s connection to steel goes back a long way: to a hardware shop in Milan in the 1800s, followed by a steel mill plant built in Friuli after the Second World War.
From this tradition, in 1956, Carlo Pirota brought energy, expertise and a clear vision to Cittadella. Post-war tax incentives and financing helped pave the way, but it was the determination of one man and one family that truly made the difference. The company grew through the production of hot-rolled flat bars, shifts increased and a local community formed around the factory. His son Renato took the helm and triggered a transformation that no one could have foreseen. In the 1970s, a groundbreaking intuition reshaped the entire business: applying steel industry expertise to granite cutting.
An innovative blade, working together with steel grit – a system no one had ever imagined before. Ferriera di Cittadella became a global benchmark, serving over 70 countries with a production output of nearly 100,000 tons. In the 1980s, the patent for the grooved blade consolidated its competitive advantage, transforming a technical detail into a global trademark of excellence. In 2014, a new chapter began. Margherita Pirota, Renato’s daughter and current CEO, leads the transition to diamond wire: a more precise, efficient and sustainable technology for cutting natural stone.
The third generation carries the same pioneering spirit as her grandfather Carlo – looking ahead without forgetting where you come from. “They are experiencing one of the finest moments in a company’s life,” says Renato, with the look of someone who has sown the seeds and recognizes the path. Speaking about the company, Margherita says: “I see it as a lifelong companion”. A place where work is about relationships, belonging and purpose. Employees who return to visit after years of retirement, generations of families working where their fathers once did.
Stories that intertwine and repeat, generation after generation, within these same factory walls. A culture built on respect that spans decades and remains the true driving force of the company. Seventy years, with a clear focus on the future. Because every great transformation starts from the same root: the curiosity to innovate and the determination to build, day after day.
GROOVED DIAMOND WIRE: 70 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DRIVING INNOVATION
Diamond wire technology is changing fast, pushing the industry to keep looking ahead. 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of Ferriera di Cittadella. This kind of stability is rare in the industry, built on family-run company, steady governance and a long-term vision, the same foundation behind our Research and Development work. Its 4.3 mm grooved wire is a clear example of this. It's a proven solution, used in sawmills to cut veined materials, breccias and quartzites, where cutting stability and vibration control are essential.
With 46 beads per linear meter and a grooved profile with spacer rings, the wire increases contact points, reduces vibration and protects the integrity of the slab. The result: more consistent cutting, scratch-free surfaces and smoother, more continuous production. In the field, it has already exceeded 400 hours of work on different materials, from marble to quartzite, confirming its long life and steady performance. The 4.3 mm wire also ensures a cutting width of just 0.2 mm greater than the bead diameter, a clear improvement over previous versions of traditional wires without spacer rings.
Seventy years of experience come down to this: a solid, reliable product that delivers a better cutting finish and less slurry, in line with the vision of innovation that has guided Ferriera di Cittadella since 1956.