Page 53 - D_ReggioEmilia

Tecnopolo di Reggio Emilia | Reggio Emilia’s Technopole 393

The Reggiane

The Officine Meccaniche Reggiane were founded in 1904 in an area be-
longing to the Santa Croce neighborhood. They represent one of the
most important symbols of the Reggio Emilia identity on a historical,
social and urban level. The expansion of the area and the strategic po-
sition in which they are located, together with the strong and versatile
productive capacity that marked their history. These elements immedi-
ately characterised themselves as an important reference point for the
provincial area.
Initially focused on rail rolling material – thanks to which they gained
international reputation – the production was later extended to oth-
er types of plant-building (bakeries, pasta factories etc.). During the
Second World War, the Reggiane underwent an adaptation for use in
war, carrying out the production of cannons and bullets ogives, which
involved the work of 5000 labourers. In the mid 1930s the Reggiane
controlled by the State through the IRI – created the ‘Avio’ department,
which produced various warplanes, such as the Re 2001. More precise-
ly, because of these activities, in January 1944 the Officine were bom-
barded by the allied troops, which caused the death of many civilians.
The era of the military production corresponded with the period of the
Reggiane’s maximum expansion, which employed more than 11.000
workers, both local and coming from other areas, the latter living in
the public housing of ‘Il Cairo’. The deterioration in the relationship
between workers and employers and the social struggle determined by
it, marked the Reggiane’s history in the aftermath of Second World War,
particularly between 1949 and 1951 when the labourers occupied the
structure for 368 days. This action did not stop employers from opting
for a mass dismissal, which determined the end of the golden ages of the
Officine. From the ‘50s onwards, they continued producing rail rolling