In the landscape of Italian industrial leaders abroad, the story of Eng. Massimo Toso stands as a prime example of international success. Born in Turin and a graduate in Engineering from the Polytechnic University, Toso has built a career that has taken him from the corridors of Olivetti to the leadership of BUZZI UNICEM in the United States, where he currently serves as CEO.
His professional journey began with a brief yet significant stint at Olivetti in Ivrea during the golden era of the first portable computer, the M24. After a formative period in consulting with Arthur Andersen, Toso entered the automotive sector with the FIAT Group, before transitioning over twenty years ago into the chemical industry with BUZZI UNICEM.
For the past 11 years, Toso has led BUZZI UNICEM’s U.S. operations from Pennsylvania. Under his leadership, the company has established itself as a key industrial player, employing over 2,500 people and generating revenues exceeding $1.8 billion. The company operates eight full-cycle plants, distributing its products across more than twenty states in the East, Central, and Southern U.S. through a sophisticated logistics network that includes rail and river transport.
His international experience, which includes assignments in Portugal, Spain, and England, has shaped a business vision that blends Italian excellence with a global perspective. “Being Italian means embodying the values of family, art, and industrial creativity,” Toso reflects, emphasizing how Italy’s cultural heritage is an added value in the international arena.
In the cement sector, Toso identifies two key trends transforming the industry: the advanced automation of plants, incorporating expert systems and artificial intelligence, and the commitment to eliminating CO2 emissions by 2050—a challenge that, he notes, will require “significant investments and bold choices.”
From his vantage point in the U.S. market, Toso highlights several aspects of the American system that could benefit Italy: a more business-friendly environment, where companies are seen as positive contributors to social development, and a judicial system with clear timelines and definitive sentences.
Throughout his career, Toso has had the privilege of working alongside prominent figures in Italian industry, including Sergio Marchionne and Engineer Sandro Buzzi, from whom he has gained invaluable lessons in leadership and innovation. Despite being a multinational corporation, BUZZI UNICEM remains rooted in Casale Monferrato, exemplifying one of Italy’s family-driven entrepreneurial success stories on a global scale.
Despite the distance, Toso maintains a strong connection with Italy, both professionally and personally. His advice to young Italians aspiring to an international career is clear: “Do not be afraid to leave your comfort zone. Detaching from familiar habits and loved ones is not easy, but it is not a loss—it is a gain, both personally and professionally.”
3 Comments
Eccellente congratulazioni
Ottimo, complimenti!
Congratulations, Massimo!
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