SAI was founded in Modena, Italy, in 1964. At that particular
time the city was going through a period of lively industrial expan-sion,
and the SAI company’s initial involve-ment in producing hydraulic components
evolved into the development of the radial piston hydraulic motor.
The first small factory employing just 3 people was built in Modena during 1965.
The first ever hydraulic motor carrying the SAI brand name had a displacement
of 300cc/rev and it weighed approximately 50 Kg The principal beliefs that
have characterised the company throughout its history are: pro-duction of
extreme customised motors which can be easily applied; the presence and the
sales to the most promising developing mar-kets. The Management of the
company, have always made sound financial invest-ments in both Research and
Development and the Production Division of the Company, enabling the range of
the products to be-come greater. SAI had soon developed a range of gearboxes
for use with the hydrau-lic motors. The economic crisis during the latter
part of the 1970’s led to a reduction in staff and a revision of the
company’s business plan.
Having studied the strongly expanding markets of the world, in particular in
the Far East, SAI decided, to concentrate it’s efforts on the mass production
of the hydraulic mo-tors in order to be as competitive and inno-vative with
this particular product as possible. Gearboxes production is then reduced.
SAI has always put great emphasis on R & D and in 1973 a dedicated research
centre was set up within the Company and later, in 1977, this division
was transformed into an independent company, into which SAI con-tinues to
invest heavily. SAI believes that it is by investment in these areas, that
the achievement of new and greater market shares, outside of the market
traditionally associated with hydraulic motors can be gained.
The Company has always strategi-cally studied all markets and the first
Interna-tional Joint Venture was set up in 1986. This policy has continued
consistently to the present day, establishing SAI companies in most of the
major economies of the World. Among these, the production activities in
In-dia, China and Ukraine, have brought SAI to be the first main world
manufacturer of crankshaft design radial piston motors. Whenever recession
has loomed, SAI has been successful in seeking out and exploit-ing new export
markets to increase its pres-ence worldwide.
Over the years the sales turnover of the company has steadily in-creased
and the effectiveness of the Interna-tional network of sales offices is shown
by the fact that more than 50% of SAI’s overall.
At the end of the 90’s, a holding company for the SAI group of companies
was formed. The production facilities of the overseas manufacturing
operations became independ-ent, locally constituted, companies, with
full autonomy. These companies have also since divided further forming
new and com-plimentary businesses. Growing additional international
agreements for the production or sales of SAI products can be set up,
further increasing the overall share of the worldwide hydraulic compo-nents
market. Now, with the arrival of the new Millenium and having created
successful teams in each of their associated companies, the management
are proud to think that SAI with it’s wealth of experience, and the ability
to meet market needs by supplying an innova-tive product, can be seen as
being a fine ex-ample of Italian industry in the international market place.