Our History: From values to the future
Nearly 100 years of history
SIAD has been one of the key players in Italy’s economic development ever since its foundation on May 3, 1927.
Since then, the Group has gone through almost a century of innovation, growth and transformation.
1927
The Patent for the Porous Mass: the invention of Quirino and Bernardo Sestini
The very creation of SIAD is closely linked to one of the most important innovations in the industry: the patent for the monolithic porous mass (nos. 254063 and 256501), filed on February 17, 1927 by Quirino and Bernardo Sestini.
This patent revolutionized the safe transport of acetylene cylinders, solving a problem that had until then limited industrial use of this gas due to explosion risks.
The SIAD porous mass was adopted not only in the cylinders produced by the company, but also by other manufacturers and even by the Italian Navy, which used it to power the lighthouses along the country’s coasts.
The Founders
The history of SIAD is shaped by people, passion and values: dedication, innovation, customer focus and social responsibility.
Family leadership, now in its fourth generation, has successfully transformed SIAD into a solid, dynamic Group with a clear forward looking vision.
Quirino and Bernardo Sestini
Quirino Sestini
Founder and first President of SIAD, Quirino Sestini was a brilliant chemist and academic, known for his relentless scientific curiosity and his ability to turn research into industrial innovation. In 1927, together with his son Bernardo, he patented the monolithic porous mass that revolutionized the safety of acetylene cylinders, laying the foundations for the creation and success of the Group. His vision and focus on solving practical industrial challenges profoundly shaped SIAD’s corporate culture.
Bernardo Sestini
Son of Quirino, Bernardo Sestini led SIAD with a pioneering spirit and a strong openness to innovation. A chemistry graduate with a passion for mechanics, he combined technical expertise with entrepreneurial vision, guiding the Group as it expanded and diversified its Engineering offering. Under his presidency, SIAD successfully navigated the postwar years, investing in new technologies and reinforcing customer centric values that still define the Group today.
Founder and first President of SIAD, Quirino Sestini was a brilliant chemist and academic, known for his relentless scientific curiosity and his ability to turn research into industrial innovation. In 1927, together with his son Bernardo, he patented the monolithic porous mass that revolutionized the safety of acetylene cylinders, laying the foundations for the creation and success of the Group. His vision and focus on solving practical industrial challenges profoundly shaped SIAD’s corporate culture.
Bernardo Sestini
Son of Quirino, Bernardo Sestini led SIAD with a pioneering spirit and a strong openness to innovation. A chemistry graduate with a passion for mechanics, he combined technical expertise with entrepreneurial vision, guiding the Group as it expanded and diversified its Engineering offering. Under his presidency, SIAD successfully navigated the postwar years, investing in new technologies and reinforcing customer centric values that still define the Group today.
Roberto Sestini
Dr. Roberto Sestini led the SIAD Group for more than half a century, guiding the company through a major phase of expansion, diversification and internationalization.
Under his leadership, the Group strengthened its international presence, investing in innovation, quality and sustainability, and establishing important strategic partnerships. Roberto Sestini consistently valued human capital and maintained strong attention to the local communities and territories where the Group’s companies operate.
Bernardo Sestini
Bernardo Sestini is the current President and Chief Executive Officer of the SIAD Group.
He joined the Group in 1996 and represents the fourth generation of the family at the helm of the company. After gaining professional experience both in Italy and abroad, he assumed the presidency, bringing an international vision and a strong focus on research, digitalization and sustainability.
