Our story in motion

A visual journey through the history of CMZ Sistemi Elettronici Srl. This gallery celebrates fifty years of innovation and motion, through a selection of images that trace our journey. A path of achievements, challenges, and people who have built our company, from its origins to today.

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CMZ story begins in 1976 from the visionary idea of ​​three professors who are friends. It begins in a garage, just like the emerging technology startups of that time…

Moreno Chiaradia, Armando Manzan and Giuseppe Zamuner are three young electronics teachers in high schools, they are friends who met while studying engineering at University of Padua.

 In 1976, they decide to partner up and found their own professional engineering firm: a business born for pure passion alongside their teaching activity, with a visionary view on the future at a time when the electronics industry is still in its beginning.

A few years later, the acronym CMZ is officially created from the initials of their surnames.

The first office is located in Visnadello – a hamlet of Spresiano (Treviso) – in the garage that Manzan offers to his associates.

The projects are carried out in collaboration with other teachers and mostly involve the creation of small electronic boards for cash registers.

In June 1981, the company receives some new investments through a fourth partner: Gino Rami.

The “CMZ” brand is officially born.

In November 1982, CMZ moves to larger premises in Treviso, two rooms on Viale della Repubblica (Strada Ovest). The first permanent employees are hired in 1984. By 1986 CMZ has 5 employees, in addition to the founders.

In the early 1980s, CMZ is engaged in the design and development of electromedical equipment, focusing on customized solutions.

In the photograph above, the intercranial pressure monitor realized in 1982.

The business really grows, and fastly, in the second half of the 1980s. CMZ begins exploring the market of electronic systems for controlling integrated machines. This is a new and rapidly expanding market. CMZ’s attention immediately turns to control systems for electric axes motion.

In 1985 CMZ creates its first controller: the IPC, with a Motorola 6502 CPU.

In November 1987, the company headquarters moves again: still on Viale della Repubblica (Villorba), but now in an open-plan studio of over 150 square meters, with 15 employees.

Around 1990, CMZ develops its second controller: AXPROM. The photo (taken in 1992) shows the commissioning of an operating room sterilizer.

During these years CMZ also develops its first custom solutions, such as the CM400 PLC for a customer operating in the textile machinery industry, and the DINAX controller with an integrated industrial PC.

In 1991 the company name is changed to CMZ Sistemi Elettronici Srl.

In the early 1990s, the modular NF0 series is born: PLC with Motorola 68000/68331 CPU with I/O cards, axis control boards and serial communication boards (PLCX, CTX618 pictured, TST900, CTD913, the evolution of the Dinax).

Between 1991 and 1992, CMZ controllers are chosen by the company FMC to manage a packaging machine. This is the first experience with packaging applications. CMZ systems are precise and reliable, therefore the brand begins to be renowed within the Italian market. 

In 1992 CMZ becomes a Research Laboratory and it is included in the MIUR register (Ministry of University and Scientific and Technological Research).

In 1993 the company moves again to Strada Scudetto: 1,000 square meters with 35 employees. The first engineers are hired.

In the first half of the 1990s, the great opportunity: ABB, the leading European automation company, asks CMZ to develop a 3-axis control system to integrate with ABB’s brushless drives.

TRIAX custom-made controller is born: TRIAX26/SN with CPU68331 and TRIAX26/SN with CPU68360.

At the end of the 1990s, the CTE (CTE158, CTE240 in the picture, CTE300) and CTN (CTN330/560) series controllers are realized, with AWL language. These systems are a success. Furthermore, WIDE environment and the first motion libraries (electronic cams, interpolation) are introduced. CAN protocol is implemented.

While keeping its experience in the packaging sector, CMZ is a pioneer in the development of electronics for flying shear.

Standard systems are joined by customized control solutions for applications such as key cutting machines, multi-head dosing machines and textile machines, by collaborating with famous companies. Thanks to the high performance of these systems, CMZ establishes itself as a leader in Italy in the industrial automation sector.

In 2001 the company headquarters moves to its current location on Via dell’Artigianato in Vascon, Carbonera. The company now employs over 50 people. The Applications Department, Customer Service Department and Software Department are established. 

During this period, CMZ enters the Food & Beverage sector as a supplier of control systems for some important manufacturers.

During these years, CMZ expands into international market. It takes part at the first editions of SPS Italia and SPS in Nuremberg; the CMZ brand gains visibility and reputation as a leading player for Italian automation.

The early years of the 2000-2009 decade are marked by the FCT series controller (FCT200, FCT241, FCT300) which is designed for tackling the axis controller market with a system whose main features are the management of CANopen and EtherCAT fieldbuses, based on IEC61131 (4Control).

Starting from 2019, the CODESYS-based FCT640 is introduced.

During the same period, CMZ starts expanding its product range by introducing the drives: MDM and SDS series (stepper), ISD and SVM (closed-loop stepper), IBD and NBD (brushless with integrated motor and nearby version).

In 2016 the celebration for the 40th anniversary.

In 2017 CMZ is acquired by the Sogaenergyteam Group.

2020 to date, these are busy years for CMZ. In 2021 the SBD (brushless stand-alone) drive is launched, and in 2024 also the SSD drive (stepper stand-alone).

The first International Sales Meeting takes place in November 2024: three full-days dedicated to international Sales Partners.

In 2025 CMZ presents the FCT641 controller, the evolution of FCT640 series making the most of all the features of CODESYS world.

fct641 controllore

Over the years, the company team participates in some of the most relevant automation exhibitions in Italy, Europe and United States.

On June 12, 2026 CMZ will celebrate its anniversary: ​​50 years of electronics!