How Modena Design was born from Typical Italian Rivalry In 1987, while working at Lamborghini, Horacio Pagani suggested they buy an autoclave to improve the production of carbon parts for the Countach Evoluzione. Lamborghini refused so fuelled by that “Italian fire”, Horacio set out to prove their logic flawed. Investing in his own autoclave and knowledge of composite materials, Horacio departed from Lamborghini in 1991. He then established his own firm, Modena Design, which specialized in developing lightweight composite materials for the automotive industry. Less than a year later, Horacio launched his second company, Pagani Automobili SpA. Using his knowledge and construction of exotic composites, he began developing his own vision of what a supercar should be. (It’s ironic that Pagani started due to a rivalry with Lamborghini, which was itself born out of competition with Ferrari). What Modena Design specializes in Horacio has always held A belief that “Art and science can walk together, hand in hand”. A view previously inspired by Leonardo DaVinci. Since inception Modena Design has been an innovator in developing lightweight, high-strength materials. These assist in the fusion of innovative engineering and exquisite design. They subsequently continue to invest in new technologies and research to be ahead of precision craftsmanship. A majority of components used in both the Zonda and Huayra came from Modena Design and approximately 700 components in the Utopia. Being specifically in-house to Pagani, Modena Design upholds its commitment to quality and perfection. This ensures that every Zonda, Huayra and Utopia that left or will leave the factory is at the highest standards, that Pagani is known for. What Modena Design revival involves In 2024, over 30 years after its inception, Modena Design was revived. It now provides its composite materials not only for cars but also for the aerospace and biomedical industries. to supply its composites in not just the automotive sector but also the aerospace and biomedical industries. In particular, the company seeks to focus on precision computer numerical control (CNC) machining to produce the highest quality components. CNC involves pre-programmed software that informs each machine of the correct tasks to complete during the manufacturing process. These include shaping raw of materials into precise components. Despite this, that human touch that is core to Pagani remains, with CNC working in tandem. According to Antonio Gerardi, Chief Operations Officer, "No machine, however advanced, can replace the trained eye of a craftsman in capturing the finer details." The combination of machine accuracy working in harmony with expert proficiency ensures that every part Modena Design makes, is of the highest quality and aligns with Pagani’s philosophy of using art to shape science. Modena Design now establishes itself as a global leader in component design Modena Design’s expansion to target new global markets beyond the automotive sector is a testament to Horacio’s commitment to innovation and art. This blend of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship has not only helped Pagani dominate the hypercar market but has also made Modena Design a key player in research and development across multiple industries. By combining CNC technology with traditional craftsmanship, Modena Design continues to share that legacy of perfection within art and science that both Horacio and Pagani themselves are known for. This approach has helped them lead in the automotive world for 25 years, and they are now set to dominate other industries for years to come.
