Author: Cristiano Grandi

From June 9 to 11 at the Piacenza Expo exhibition center, the fifth edition of Hydrogen Expo and the second edition of the Nuclear Power Expo (NPE 2026) were held simultaneously, which have now become a regular event for Tectubi Raccordi and for the Group.

As for the hydrogen exhibition, where the Allied Group was present in the Confindustria Piacenza cluster, the decisive role of hydrogen in the future energy mix was confirmed, even though the road ahead still looks long. Tectubi Raccordi, which has been producing tested and approved piping components for both combined transport (gas-hydrogen blend) and pure hydrogen for a few years now, wanted to contribute its share of practical optimism.

The nuclear exhibition, where Tectubi Raccordi had a stand highlighting its global leadership in the production of fittings and pipes for nuclear power plants, was enhanced with high-profile public meetings featuring our Francesco Acerbis and Pietro Francesconi.

In particular, at the conference “The Supply Chain in Nuclear: Perspectives and Challenges,” Francesconi highlighted how the long implementation times of civil nuclear projects require economic support for the dedicated supply chain, especially to benefit business ventures, while Acerbis, at the conference “ISO 19443: The Choice of Leaders in Nuclear,” shared the opportunities and challenges faced in the journey to obtain ISO 19443, experienced firsthand.

Additionally, Renato Velli, interviewed by AdnKronos, explained the importance of this dual presence. The Allied Group, a Piacenza-based company and a world leader in its segment of the energy sector, couldn’t and didn’t want to miss this event.

On May 21, 2026,Allied International UK, represented by Gregor Lyons, Finlay Tune, and Joanna Gauchi, took part in the Nuclear North East England Conference & Exhibition, a one-day event held at Wynyard Hall in Billingham. The location was chosen because the North East of England, particularly Teesside, is strategically well-placed for new nuclear projects in the UK and can support most of the needs required to design, test, manufacture, build, and operate an SMR or AMR. It’s no coincidence that several new nuclear projects are planned in the region.

On May 11 and 12, Reuters Events brought together 750 U.S. and international players in Austin, Texas, a city known as a global hub for new nuclear, for the SMR & Advanced Reactors event aimed at creating partnerships and accelerating the adoption of SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) seen as the most promising solution for the energy transition because they have high expectations in terms of safety, cost, flexibility, and sustainability.

Tectubi Raccordi was present as the only European piping company. Representing the companies at the stand were Marco Callegari and Alessandro Aglieri for Tectubi, Mirko Fontana and Luigi Del Riccio for Morandini, supported by colleagues from Ezeflow and FlowLine, companies of the Allied Group North America.

A curiosity of the SMR fair, never seen in other exhibitions, was the organization of a sporting activity reserved for exhibitors, called ‘Morning run at SMR & Advanced Reactor 2026.’ A morning run, in which our Marco Callegari (center in the photo among the other participants), as a true sports enthusiast, gladly took part.

From May 4 to 7, our Group took part in the OTC in Houston with a shared booth featuring the joint presence of Aldo Di Santo (Petrol Raccord), Elena Nava, and Claudio Volpi (SIMAS).

The exhibition proved to be an important opportunity to strengthen longstanding relationships with major players such as SUBSEA7 and TECHNIPFMC, meet potential new customers, and engage with key international stakeholders in the industry. Throughout the event, we explored rapidly evolving market scenarios and identified new development opportunities, with a particular focus on the Venezuelan market, which is showing highly promising signs of recovery for the future.

Another central topic that emerged during the meetings was the growing relevance of high valueadded niches, especially the segment of clad bends and, more broadly, clad solutions. This is an area that continues to attract increasing interest and represents a significant strategic growth opportunity for our Group.

Beyond the excellent commercial outcomes, the trip was also a valuable moment of human connection and teambuilding with our colleagues at the Houston office.

Our participation in OTC Houston 2026 once again confirmed how essential a direct presence in international markets truly is—not only to develop business, but also to build strong relationships and share, together, the values and culture of Allied Group.

Mandelli returned from April 21 to 25 to the CCMT in Shanghai (China CNC Machine Tool Fair) in a joint booth with ICE (Italian Trade Agency) managed by Roberto Borsatti and Fanny Fang of Tectubi Tianjin Fittings.

The CCMT is becoming increasingly important in a country like China, which is the largest producer and consumer of machine tools in the world, with a market worth around 13 billion euros and still huge potential.

For these reasons, Mandelli felt it was important to be present again in such a strategic area, where the company from Piacenza has been a key player for many years, to showcase its ongoing activities and the launch of new products focused, as always, on excellence.

With its 119,000 square meters of space, 16 pavilions, and 2,600 exhibitors from 65 countries, the Tube Düsseldorf has confirmed itself as the most important trade fair event of the two-year period for the sector. As always, the Allied team was present in full force, with sales representatives and executives from all the Group’s companies, led by the two presidents Valter Alberici and Marc Herzstein.

At a showcase always focused on the future, artificial intelligence, robotics, renewable energy, and energy transition were not just buzzwords but a tangible reality experienced by visitors to the fair from 130 countries. In particular, the importance of the defense and data center sectors for AI development was highlighted, with new groups of visitors from these sectors crowding the exhibition stands and finding concrete solutions for their high-level needs.

As is now traditional for Allied, business meetings have been made more comfortable and relaxed with several friendly get-togethers at the stand, enriched this year by an aperitif featuring gourmet products from the Val Tidone area, served every day from 4:30 PM to visitors and clients.

The kitchen service, provided by a “stellar” chef (even if not starred) like Gigi Varesi, supported by skilled assistants such as Paolo Tiribinto, Federico Begnini, and Nicolas Cluchier, was impeccable and greatly appreciated.