The 1990s

In the early 1990s, the growth that had begun at the end of the previous decade continued, thanks to an ongoing policy of making technological improvements to the product line. Thanks to this policy, the production strategies at the various factories were effectively revised.
In particular, Lombardini acquired the Acme Company in Valdobbiadene (near Treviso), which specialized in producing gasoline engines and the production of the CHD hi-tech, water-cooled diesel engines was concentrated in Slovakia.

Because of the company’s constant effort to improve quality, the quality system  was certified as complying with ISO 9001 already in 1995. And in 2002, Lombardini was certified as meeting the environmental quality standard and the specific QS9000 standard for companies doing business in the automotive sector.

In April 1999, the company became part of the American group called Mark IV Inc. The positive effects of the change in ownership soon became clear, and an investment program began, that not only impacted research, but also led to a stronger competitive position.

The initial results of the acquisition were obtained that same year with the important purchase of Ruggerini Motori, Lombardini’s traditional competitor in the Reggio Emilia area. The final phase of this program saw the acquisition of a factory in India in August 2001. Its facilities included special assembly lines for single-cylinder diesel engines that power small motor vehicles, which transporting both goods and passengers in India.