MASTERIS in Florence: An Italian Challenge

Committed to strengthening its international presence and collaborating with various players in the rolling stock sector, MASTERIS naturally responds to calls for tenders in Europe and beyond.

A unique challenge in Italy: Between the Dolce Vita and tramway culture

Italy, renowned for its dolce vita, sunny climate, and above all, its rich tramway culture, offers MASTERIS a unique challenge. Expanding into this neighboring country has not been an easy undertaking, with various obstacles ranging from legal issues to unforeseen disruptions like landslides and flooding. The teams in charge of the project had to demonstrate flexibility and resilience to turn this challenge into a success.

Prospecting initiated 10 years ago

The story began nearly 10 years ago, in 2015, when the Rennes technical center and Cyrille Rame conducted prospecting aimed at overhauling brake units and calipers for potential new clients. Initially put on hold due to its premature nature, the project regained momentum in 2022 when the Italian client RATP Dev Florence contacted us. They wanted to inform us of their entry into their maintenance plan regarding their brake units and calipers. An opportunity that MASTERIS wisely seized to mark its first foray into Italian urban mobility.

Florence: A strategic gateway to the Italian market

Our ambition to establish ourselves in the Italian urban transport market, particularly the tramway market, reflects our desire to penetrate a dynamic and expanding sector. The choice of Florence as an entry point into the Italian market is explained by its heavy reliance on tramways, especially the "Sirio" model widely used in Italy. By choosing Italy as a field for expansion, MASTERIS positions itself as an expert in the transport sector, demonstrating that we know how to design and implement effective solutions. MASTERIS is capitalizing on its expertise to develop partnerships with major players such as RATP Dev, a large French account present in a multitude of countries. This collaboration not only strengthens our reputation but also actively develops business by leveraging our partner's experience and visibility. Thus, by committing to the Italian market, we are strengthening our competitive position on an international scale.

The "Sirio": A challenge blending novelty and similarities

Although this tram model is new to MASTERIS, it shares many similarities with the equipment the SNCF group works on. However, entering a new market remains a real challenge. Several elements specific to each environment come into play. Operational characteristics, such as frequency of use, geographical location, line profile, and transport capacity, require a thoughtful approach when designing and executing the maintenance contract.

A 2-year contract

• 17 trainsets involved

• May 2026

After 900,000 km of operation, the project involves replacing all worn parts in the brake units and calipers, thereby ensuring an additional 400,000 km of operation. A contract is a facilitator for identifying new issues, and MASTERIS is becoming a driving force for proposals on new topics.

A major operational challenge: Meeting transit times

The contract includes a transit time of approximately one month, which is a major operational challenge given that transport is included in this timeframe. Meeting transit deadlines is of crucial importance, given the client's specific organizational schedule.

Committed stakeholders

Key stakeholders include Davy Bourguignon and Idriss Touahri for the commercial side and the collaboration with the Rennes Technical Center, represented by Stéphane Gouriou.

Testimonial from Idriss Touahri, Key Account Manager

This is a first step; the success of this deal will be key to the development of the RATP key account in the Italian market. As the Lao Tzu quote goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

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