On the 11th of April, Andrea Beri, CEO of Steelgroup Italy Holding, presented the volume "The Wire of the World” at Officina Badoni in Lecco — a comic book that tells a story of family heritage, local culture, and a love for the art of working with steel.
The roots of Lecco run deep in steelworking: there’s an art in the craft of the tirabagia (the wire-drawer), and it’s important that this is not lost. The idea for the comic book was born in 2023, marking 100 years since Beri’s grandfather, Bernardo, first entered this profession — starting an entrepreneurial tradition now in its third generation.
From the past to the future: "I believe it’s important to reach the new generations," says Beri. "Drawing steel is a meaningful job, not a dirty one. Steel is present in every part of our lives — from pen springs to automotive components — and has endless applications in our daily world. It’s an everlasting material because it can be used and recycled infinitely. We chose to pass on the culture of steelworking through comics because it’s an effective and engaging way to speak to young people. The story revolves around a drifting race, a sport beloved by the younger generations, and one we know well as the main sponsor of the GasBas Drift Team — a group of young racers from Lecco who, with us, won the European title in 2023. In our schools, technical careers — especially in a region like ours — must be encouraged and rediscovered, because they are essential to the local workforce. That’s why we’ll be delivering copies of the comic to all lower secondary schools in the province."
Beri concludes: "The comic also includes a special tribute to my father, who has always been active and present, and to the women in my family: my wife, my daughter, and my mother — who was a true cornerstone of our company." The story underlines how life is not a race, but a great responsibility towards the people and families who depend on you. A heartfelt thanks goes to Mariangela Tentori of Teka Edizioni, Stefano Motta for the script, Alessia Buffolo for the illustrations, and Daria Cerchi for the coloring — professionals who truly understood, embraced, and gave their best for this project.
