Founding a family business
A story of passion, tradition, and innovation, Tratos’ journey began during WWII when the young Egidio Capaccini was forced to abandon his hometown in Southern Tuscany after the Nazis had almost destroyed it. He packed his bags and travelled to Argentina with little or no work available. After working as a general labourer for a year, he was offered a position in a cable manufacturing factory. Swiftly rising through the ranks to become General Manager and a shareholder, Egidio achieved his dream of learning the trade. After consulting and travelling, he returned to Italy and in 1966 established Tratos.
Tratos quickly gained a reputation for producing exceptionally well-made cables, remaining at the forefront of innovation. Egidio Capaccini led the company for more than 13 years until his health began to decline, and sadly, he passed away.
Second generation
In 1974, his daughter Marta and her husband Albano Bragagni took over the business and became company president. This marked the start of a challenging yet successful program of investments, product diversification, and technological growth. Thanks to Mr. Bragagni’s keen eye for innovation and his intelligent response to growing market opportunities, Tratos saw exponential growth. By 1978, Tratos had started producing Copper Telecommunication and Instrumentation cables for telephone and petroleum engineering companies. In 1981, Tratos established a presence in the UK, followed by the start of fibre-optic cable production in Italy in 1987, becoming a major supplier for the energy, transportation, oil, and gas industries. Tratos also became a leader in manufacturing fire-resistant and mining cables. In the 1990s, Tratos began producing medium-voltage cables at a new factory in Catania.
Origin of the name
Tratos (TRA-TOS) Cavi is an acronym that combines two key elements of the company’s origin:
- TRA – Trafileria: This Italian word means “wire-drawing,” a crucial process in cable manufacturing. In this process, metal is pulled through a die to reduce its diameter, shaping it into wires used in cables.
- TOS – Toscana: This refers to the region of Tuscany in Italy, where the company was founded and has its roots.
- Cavi: “Cavi” is the Italian word for “cables.” It directly references the company’s core business—manufacturing a wide range of cables for telecommunications, energy, and other industrial sectors.
By combining Trafileria and Toscana, the name Tratos reflects the company’s expertise in wire and cable production and its geographical origin in Tuscany. Therefore, Tratos stands for “Tuscany Wire-Drawing,” highlighting its focus on cable manufacturing and its proud Italian heritage. Thus, the name Tratos Cavi essentially means “Cable Handling” or “Cable Processing,” reflecting the company’s commitment to the careful manufacturing and innovation of cable products. This name highlights the company’s Italian roots and its specialisation in cable manufacturing, an industry where it has grown to become a global leader.
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TIMELINE
1966 – Tratos is founded
After leaving his hometown at the end of the Second World War, Egidio Capaccini goes to Argentina, where he finds work in a cable factory. He learns the techniques, develops his skills and returns to Italy to found Tratos.
1974 – Albano Bragagni becomes company president
Ing. Egidio Capaccini, Tratos’ founder, passes away, and Ing. Albano Bragagni becomes company president.
1978 – Copper telecommunication and instrumentation cables
Tratos starts copper telecommunication cables and instrumentation cable production.
1981 – Tratos Ltd in the United Kingdom
Tratos establishes its presence in the UK with the distribution and sales company Tratos Ltd, based in Chesterfield, East Midlands.
1983 – TRAMET is founded
The factory for thermoplastic and elastomeric compounds is born. The production of telephone and rubber cables begins.
1983 – Fire retardant and fire-resistant cables
As the range of fire-resistant cables grows, the company becomes a major supplier to the energy, rail, mass transportation, motorway, oil, gas, petrochemical, mining and tunnel industries.
1987 – Fibre-optic cables
Tratos becomes the market leader in the production of cables for the Telecommunications market and, in 1987, begins production of fibre-optical cables for Italian and overseas markets
1988 – Tratos Catania plant
Tratos Cavi S.p.A. acquires the Catania plant. Germano Bragagni becomes CEO of Tratos Catania.
1990 – Production of Medium Voltage Cables
After having purposely opened the new factory in Sicily in Catania, the company begins to produce and sell Medium Voltage products.
2000 – Start of production of umbilical cables
In collaboration with MFX, TRATOS starts the production of umbilical cables for Oil and Gas applications. In the same year, the third generation of the family joins the company with Ennio Bragagni Capaccini “Vice President of Tratos”.
2008 – Tratos acquires Knowsley-based North West Cables Ltd
Tratos Ltd acquires North West Cable Ltd and Modular Wiring System in Merseyside in the UK. Tratos Iberica SL is born. New strategies are implemented and offices are opened in Spain, Germany and China. In the same year, Elisabetta Bragagni Capaccini joins the company.
2009 – Tratos begins production of HV Cables
Tratos begins production of H.V. cables having established a new factory for this purpose in Pieve Santo Stefano.
2012 – Fusion for Energy contract for ITER
Acquisition of the Fusion for Energy contract through the company ICAS (ENEA-TRATOS-CRIOTEC consortium) under the direction of the “Product development manager – High Technology Division” Massimo Se
2015 – Business award recognition
The quality and the company growth were recognised in the UK by being awarded the Knowsley Business and Regeneration Awards: for the creativity, hard work, organisation and development of Tratos Ltd.
2016 – New investments for Tratos facilities
Considerable economic increases are made for the plants located in Tuscany with the aim of extending the technical, production and commercial capacity and of meeting the increased demand for superconducting cables and mobile laying.
2016 – 50 years
With the work completed at Knowsley, new, better performing machinery “both in terms of quality and production” became operational. The factory was enlarged by 400% and TRATOS Ltd is currently one of the UK’s leading cable manufacturers.
2019 – Queen’s Award for Innovation
Tratos is awarded the “Queen’s Award for Enterprise”, the UK’s highest official recognition for a company that excels at international trade, innovation, sustainable development, promoting social opportunities, and high-performance products.
Major R&D projects (FRI) Minister of Economic Development
R&D project aimed at the design and development of innovative electric and optical fibre cables, using multi-functional micro/nanomaterials and high-performance renewable materials (eco-compatible, bio-based and recyclable), to enable 5G and even 6G connection.
2024 – Tratos Cavi Spa acquires AFL Telecommunications Europe Ltd in the UK
TRATOS CAVI Tratos Cavi Spa acquires AFL Telecommunications Europe Ltd in the UK, an AFL Telecommunications LLC subsidiary.
The purchase includes all fibre optic cable product lines for the power utility, rail, and oil and gas markets, including the SkyWrap® attached fibre optic solution for overhead power lines.
2024 – Tratos Cavi acquires Endurance Telnet, factory dedicated to Fibre Optic Cable Production
Tratos Cavi acquires Endurance Telnet, based in Zaragoza, Spain. Telnet is a pioneering and leading company in the production of fibre optic cables. With over 30 years of experience, it serves significant European operators and utilities.
2024 – Tratos Cavi acquires AFL Telecommunications GmbH’s German Plant
In September 2024, TRATOS CAVI acquires AFL Telecommunications GmbH, a subsidiary of AFL Telecommunications LLC (AFL). The company’s future name will be TRATOS Cavi Germany GmbH.
1980s first presence in the United Kingdom
In 1981, Peter Hamilton Stewart and Albano Bragagni founded Hamilton Cable Ltd in the UK. The company specialised in cable manufacturing, providing high-quality solutions for various industries, including telecommunications and energy. Over the years, Hamilton Cable built a strong reputation for innovation and reliability in the UK market. In 2004, Hamilton Cable transitioned into Tratos UK Limited,
1990s start of Tratos’ expansion
In 1989, Tratos expanded its operations by acquiring FCC Fabbrica Cavi Catania from GEPI-IRI (Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale), transforming the company into Tratos Cavi Sud. This move bolstered Tratos’ presence in the Italian cable manufacturing industry. Eventually, Tratos Cavi Sud was merged into Tratos Cavi S.p.A., consolidating its position as a leader in the cable sector.
The history of FCC traces back to the renowned Fulgor Cavi company, initially set up by Dott. Aldo Dapelo. Fulgor Cavi had a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality cables, particularly in telecommunications and energy transmission. As a well-respected figure in the industry, Dott. Dapelo’s leadership helped establish Fulgor as a trusted name, contributing to Italy’s early cable infrastructure development.
Under Tratos’ ownership, the FCC facility in Catania was modernised and integrated into Tratos’ wider global operations. The Fulgor Cavi legacy of innovation and excellence in cable production continued under Tratos, with the company leveraging FCC’s expertise to develop cutting-edge cable technologies for various industries, including energy, telecommunications, and infrastructure.
The acquisition and transformation of FCC into Tratos Cavi Sud not only expanded Tratos’ production capacity but also brought forward Fulgor Cavi’s rich heritage and technical know-how, ensuring Dott’s innovative spirit. Aldo Dapelo and his company lived on through Tratos’ continued growth and success in the global cable market.
3rd generation and internationalisation of business
In the early 2000s, the third generation of the family joined the company, with Ennio Bragagni Capaccini as Deputy Chairman. The company also started producing umbilical cables for Oil and Gas applications in collaboration with MFX Do Brazil. Tratos expanded in 2008 with the acquisition of North West Cables Ltd and Modular Wiring Systems Ltd in the UK while opening offices in Spain, Germany, and China. In 2009, Tratos began producing high-voltage cables and established a new factory in Pieve Santo Stefano.
2024 – A new chapter of growth and acquisitions
Tratos, in July 2024, acquires AFL Telecommunications Europe Ltd in Swindon, in the UK, an AFL Telecommunications LLC subsidiary. The purchase includes all fibre optic cable product lines for the power utility, rail, and oil and gas markets, including the SkyWrap® attached fibre optic solution for overhead power lines.
in 2024 Tratos acquires Endurance Telnet, based in Zaragoza, Spain. Telnet is a pioneering and leading company in the production of fibre optic cables. With over 30 years of experience, it serves significant European operators and utilities.
In 2024, AFL Telecommunications GmbH, Germany, transitioned into Tratos Cavi Germany GmbH, marking a pivotal development in Tratos’ expansion. With its roots dating back to 1898 and expertise in producing copper and optical fibre cables, AFL Germany became part of Tratos’ global operations. This acquisition strengthened Tratos’ European presence, expanding its market reach in the telecommunications and power distribution sectors. AFL Germany’s 120 employees joined the Tratos family, further enhancing the company’s capacity to produce innovative cable solutions.
With this acquisition, Tratos continued to build on AFL Germany’s rich history, which included a legacy that began with Kabelwerke Rheydt, a key player in copper telecommunication cables since 1898. Over time, Kabelwerke Rheydt expanded into developing optical fibre cables, leading the way in fibre technology by producing overhead lines with fibres encased in stainless steel tubes in 1991. The company was Integrated into ALCATEL in 1992, became part of NEXANS in 2000, and transitioned to AFL’s ownership in 2009 before becoming Tratos Cavi Germany GmbH in 2024.
The future coming from the past
Tratos’ journey, starting with one man’s vision and determination, has grown into a globally renowned cable manufacturer driven by third-generation family members. With ongoing innovations in telecommunications and infrastructure, the company continues to grow, carrying on the legacy of its founder.
It all started with one man’s vision and determination to overcome significant early challenges to build the foundations of the business it is today. Third-generation family members are forged the company’s future. The world-renowned, expert cable manufacturer that started with that dream about sixty years ago in a small village in Tuscany is in good hands.
