Every story has a beginning. At FRIEM, ours starts with Angelo Pagliai, whose determination, passion, and technical expertise laid the foundation for a company built on vision, courage, and innovation. Thanks to him, what began as an idea grew into a solid, forward-looking industrial reality, shaped by people committed to building lasting value.

Born in Genoa in 1909, Angelo Pagliai personified determination. He worked in the electrotechnical plants of Ansaldo and San Giorgio during the day, while dedicating his nights to study, driven by ambition and curiosity. His talent quickly stood out—he was more than a technician, he was a visionary. In 1939, Siemens invited him to Milan, opening a new chapter in his professional journey

At the Project and Estimates Office of Tecnomasio Brown Boveri in Milan, Angelo deepened his expertise. He tested most of the electric motors powering Italian trams and, in 1942, while raising two young children, earned his degree in Economics and Commerce. By the end of 1950, he took a bold step—becoming an entrepreneur and founding FRIEM (Forniture Rappresentanza Industrie Elettriche Milano). He quickly found success supplying components for switchboards and insulators for transformers.

In the 1950s, Northern Italy—and Milan above all—was the stage for the “Italian economic miracle.” The electrical, chemical, and mechanical industries thrived, fueled by post-war reconstruction, the Marshall Plan, and rising consumer demand. For entrepreneurs, it was a time of extraordinary opportunity. With courage and determination, Angelo Pagliai transformed his company in 1954, laying the foundation for FRIEM – Fabbrica Raddrizzatori Impianti Elettrici Milano.

From 1950 to 1960, FRIEM’s first rectifiers—crafted in a small Milan workshop—were exported to Italy, Iran, Yugoslavia, and Mexico. Angelo’s technical expertise and forward-looking vision enabled the young company to compete with global leaders. A decisive moment came with his meeting with Oronzio De Nora. By presenting an innovative treatment that boosted rectifier efficiency, Angelo secured a collaboration that grew into a lasting partnership for years to come

FRIEM moved to its new headquarters in Milan-Segrate, still the group’s main site today. Its collaboration with Industrie De Nora, which also became a shareholder, opened new opportunities. In just a few years, FRIEM was competing with global players such as General Electric, Fuji, and Siemens, standing out for its ability to develop innovative processes. By 1962, it delivered its first graphite order to Poland. Two years later, it produced high-power converters for the electrochemical industry and installed one of the world’s first thyristor rectifiers. In 1969, it launched the ACPD system, and in 1970, entered the railway electrification market.

FRIEM faced the crises of the 1970s with solidity, from the oil shocks of 1973 and 1979 to currency devaluations. Threats turned into opportunities: the company managed more than 170 international projects, largely focused on rectifiers. Midway through the decade, it pioneered solutions for electric traction, supplying substations for trams, metros, and railways. Renowned for their unmatched reliability, these systems operated fault-free for over twenty years—proof of FRIEM’s capacity to transform challenges into lasting growth.

On April 1, 1998, Angelo Pagliai passed away at the age of 89, leaving behind not only a company but a lasting legacy. A charismatic leader and pragmatic visionary, he built FRIEM by combining technical mastery with entrepreneurial instinct and humanity. His greatest strength was the “human factor”—the ability to select, inspire, and involve people in the company’s mission. Today, his values continue to shape FRIEM: business ethics, integrity, constant pursuit of quality, and a deep commitment to people.

After Angelo’s passing, FRIEM entered a new chapter under the leadership of his children, Marco and Orietta. Marco, who had been with the company since 1971, became Chairman, while Orietta, a chartered accountant who joined in 1981, took over administration. “Succeeding our father was not easy,” Orietta recalls, “his presence was irreplaceable.” The departure of key partners required renewal, and in 2003, a new generation stepped forward with the arrival of Angelo’s grandson, Lorenzo Carnelli—marking the start of a new era.

In 2004, the Pagliai–Carnelli family took full ownership of FRIEM. Orietta Pagliai assumed the role of Chairwoman, a position she continues to hold today. Under her leadership, FRIEM expanded into new industrial sectors, introducing choppers—static converters that extended its technological offering. A landmark $22 million order from GT Solar in the United States for a project in Korea underscored this growth. The company also invested in Aktif Elektroteknik and COET, while modernizing its Segrate headquarters with new offices and the FRIEM 3 production facility.

FRIEM proved its ability to adapt and evolve. It entered the photovoltaic inverter market, achieving rapid growth until the sharp downturn of 2012, triggered by reduced incentives. At the same time, the company expanded its global presence by opening subsidiaries in Brazil and Indonesia—strategic moves that marked the start of FRIEM’s global phase. These steps reinforced its international position and enhanced its ability to serve clients in fast-growing industrial regions.

A new chapter opens for FRIEM. The Pagliai-Carnelli family takes the lead, guiding the company toward a more structural, strategic, and growth-oriented model while preserving Angelo Pagliai’s founding values. With Orietta Pagliai as President, Lorenzo Carnelli as CEO, and Fabrizio Carnelli as CFO, the leadership team combines continuity and vision. The 2018-2022 Industrial Plan strengthened the Industrial and Service sectors and positioned FRIEM as key player in the global energy transition.