Since the 80’s Emilia-Romagna set up a benchmark for those studying industrial areas and more generally the phenomenon of local business systems. Since then there has been a remarkable evolution of industrial leaders that have emerged establishing their brands on the world market and controlling supplies via a network that extends globally. Moreover many operators, having reached this level, sold their businesses to multinational companies which then in turn bought and controlled the production network so that by the end of the 80’s one can see a significant process of leader consolidation through keen activity of fusion, buying and cross-exchanging with the minority.