In its 60th year, FAAC Technologies – born in Bologna in 1965 – has evolved from a spark of insight to a global automation, security and smart parking business operating across five continents.
2025 marks the 60th year of FAAC Technologies. Founded in 1965, the FAAC Technologies group is a leading global player in access automation, parking and access control.
Traditionally associated with gate automation, today, the FAAC Technologies group provides a wide array of security, parking and access solutions, across a range of market sectors.
This vast range of products and services includes automatic bollards, automatic doors, cloud-based parking systems, automatic security barriers and pedestrian access control devices – as well as multiple web-based applications for the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of these products.
Headquartered in Bologna, Italy, the group boasts a presence on five continents, with 53 companies and over 3,800 employees worldwide.
All of which are united in the pursuit of constant innovation and a customer-centric commitment to building the smart cities of the future.
However, at the core of this global success is the unwavering determination and commitment to innovation instilled by the founder.
FAAC’s 60-year heritage of industry leadership stems from the intuition of one man, a young entrepreneur from Bologna.
In 1965, Giuseppe Manini was driving into the parking area of his apartment building when he realised that the gates (intended to secure the car park) were left open.
These gates could only be opened and closed manually and once opened, residents rarely went back to close them.
Noticing the security flaws in this traditional system, Manini innovated the solution, handcrafting the very first automatic gate handling system with use of hydraulic technology.
Soon after the fact, he founded ‘Fabbrica Automatismi Apertura Cancelli’ (Factory of Automatic Gates), otherwise known as FAAC.
Five short years, Giuseppe shared his FAAC innovation across Italy, securing a local site for mass production in 1970.
This milestone marked the beginning of FAAC’s rise to prominence in Europe.
In the late 1970s, Manini took steps towards expansion with the introduction of FAAC’s specialised training course, marking the company’s second landmark moment.
This crucial development led to the opening of the brand’s first subsidiary ‘FAAC AG’ in Switzerland. Two years later expansions led to France and Manini’s innovation began to rapidly spread across Europe.
This period of growth across Europe represented a change in FAAC’s operations: One of international ambition, investment in people and a strong commitment to localised excellence.
Each new subsidiary brought FAAC’s core values to a wider audience, adapting to regional needs while staying true to the company’s roots in innovation and reliability.
1983 saw FAAC embrace a major technological breakthrough: The introduction of microprocessor-based printed circuit boards.
Until then, this technology had been used almost exclusively in personal computers.
The shift that followed marked the beginning of a new era. FAAC systems gained advanced, previously unexplored features, opening the door to smarter and more flexible automation.
By 1984, FAAC was ready to spread its wings further, opening FAAC GmbH in Germany, followed by FAAC UK in 1985 and finally FAAC International (United States) in 1988.
The innovation did not stop there.
In 1989, FAAC acquired FAAC Electronics Ltd in Ireland, a centre of excellence where some of the world’s most advanced electronic components were produced and supplied to the industry-leading companies of the time.
This was another crucial step that reflected FAAC’s vision beyond borders – driven by technology, guided by strategy and powered by people. The beginning of an international identity.
Following the trend of the two previous decades, the 1990s brought further innovation, expansion and bold moves in pursuit of FAAC’s long-term vision.
The FAAC Technologies group strengthened its position in the European automation market, welcoming new companies Genius, Spazio Italia and Voltec.
These strategic additions expanded the groups offering in residential and industrial automation, access control and shutter systems.
1. Autostrade SpA entrusted FAAC with the development of high-performance barriers for motorway toll booths across Italy
2. FAAC patented ‘Self Learning Hopping’ (SLH) – a breakthrough in transmitter technology that redefined both security and user experience
These successes paved the way for FAAC’s first ever appearances on Italian TV, with a series of popular adverts featuring the FAAC Lion (beloved company mascot).
Overall, the 90s were a decade of ‘firsts’ for the business, as it moved into the new millennium with momentum and renewed purpose to grow and innovate in a rapidly evolving digital world.
As the 21st century began, FAAC Technologies was embarking on a transformative journey from European industrial company to a multicultural and globally integrated group.
Many companies joined the FAAC Technologies group during this period, each bringing their unique identity and local expertise to the table, creating a profound shared sense of belonging.
The 2002 introductions of FAAC Benelux, Poland, Scandinavia and Shanghai were a testament to this.
In 2005, ‘FAAC City’ was launched, a new product line dedicated entirely to traffic bollards.
This new range of crash-tested, automatic bollards marked yet another significant milestone in the development of FAAC’s product portfolio.
Later that same year, FAAC India opened and in 2006, the group further expanded their growing product offering with the acquisition of Altron (Dutch specialist in tubular motors).
In 2007, DAAB (Sweden) followed suit, significantly enhancing FAAC’s specialist industrial gate automation capabilities.
The group rounded off the 2000s with the opening of FAAC Australia (2007) and FAAC Middle East (2008).
Clemsa, a successful Spanish specialist in residential automation joined the group in 2010, bringing a successful decade of expansion to a close.
The FAAC Technologies group was now a comprehensive supplier of home and industrial access control and automation, with capacity to offer solutions for a range of applications across the globe.
Each new company brought a fresh perspective, enriching the Group’s DNA and reinforcing belief in the power of shared values across different contexts.
Andrea Moschetti, Executive Chairman, FAAC Technologies said “Becoming a Group is not only about scale or geography.
“It’s about bringing together diverse cultures, complementary expertise and a common vision that evolves over time.
“Each strategic move we have made was part of a broader project – driven by innovation, responsibility and international ambition.
“To be a Group means thinking big, acting consistently and growing forward together.”
As the 2010s got underway, FAAC’s growth showed no signs of slowing down.
In 2012, FAAC acquired Magnetic Autocontrol, a leading German manufacturer of barrier and access systems.
That same year, Brazilian automation manufacturer ‘Industrias Rossi’ also joined the FAAC Technologies family.
Following further acquisitions of several European and US parking management providers, the FAAC Technologies group consolidated its parking business under a new brand – HUB Parking Technology.
Meanwhile, over here in the UK, the stunning success of FAAC UK’s access automation and parking business units led to both entities moving into a larger premises (under one roof) in 2013.
Following this, momentum continued to build with the addition of South African electrical manufacturer, Centurion Systems in 2016.
Just three years later, Viking (USA), Wolpac (Brazil) and Parclick (Spain) also entered the fold.
These exciting strategic acquisitions brought specialised technical knowledge to the group, whilst also cementing its presence in emerging markets.
Moving into the 2020s, the world was undergoing a period of acceleration, technologically and culturally.
At this pivotal moment in FAAC’s journey, the group continued to evolve.
Guided by purpose and driven by innovation, FAAC Technologies expanded its presence further still, investing in automatic pedestrian doors and smart parking technology, designed to shape the cities of the future.
It was during this same period (2020- 2021) that FAAC acquired part of ASSA ABLOY’s European automatic and high-speed door business.
This new market intent was cemented with the opening of additional subsidiaries in France, UK, Austria, Netherlands, Hungary and Slovenia.
In August 2021, the group welcomed Cometa SpA, strengthening FAACs offering in high-security entrances and integrated access automation.
FAAC’s parking division also acquired TIBA Parking (US) and Pink Park (Israel) during this period, both key players in smart parking systems.
Between 2022 and 2023, the group continued to deepen its range of products and expand into new territory, acquiring Techno-Fire (Italy), Aero NZ (New Zealand) and opening FAAC Technologies Mexico.
FAAC UK, has enjoyed 40 years of sustained growth and success since its conception in 1985 and recently appointed Managing Director, David Nimmo, is looking forward to continuing FAACs legacy in the UK – keeping the company at the forefront of industry innovation.
Nimmo commented: “It is truly special to join the FAAC UK team in their 40th year of operation, even better to join in the 60th year of the FAAC Technologies group.
“The longevity and sustained success of both entities is a testament to the vision and values of FAAC’s foundation.
“I look forward to leading the talented group of professionals we have here into the businesses’ next phase of growth.”
Today, the FAAC Technologies group stands as a global success story, grown steadily from humble beginnings with quiet determination and an undying passion for innovation.
The FAAC story is one of unwavering progress, fuelled by commitment and the courage to innovate.
It is the story of a small-town workshop which turned into a business ready to broach new markets, in Italy first and later the rest of the world.
This article was originally published in the August edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.
