It might not be the first place you think of when it comes to high-tech machine tools, but Italy has a long history of producing equipment that helps manufacturing plants operate efficiently. For instance, The Sacmi Group has been doing it since 1919. The US$1.7 billion company provides machinery for the packaging, beverage, ceramics, food processing and plastics industries. The company has come a long way from its beginnings as a staff of nine mechanics and blacksmiths. Sacmi has survived dictatorships, wars and economic hardships in its 90 years to grow to a worldwide staff of more than 3