At the end of the second World War, the zone of Lecco headed immediately and decisively in the direction of a strong, new development of its industrial potential, characterised by the multitude of business initiatives in the wake of post-war reconstruction but also well prepared by the local tradition. In addition, Lecco enjoyed two important competitive advantages as compared to other industrial districts in the Lombardy region: the low cost of labor and considerable experience acquired in the sector of ironworking.

In the fifties, the development of metallurgy and mechanical industries was sustained by a widespread, spontaneous growth of business acumen characterised by operators with excellent technical competence, mainly trained in the production structures of important companies. In this connection, we can point to companies ilike Moto Guzzi, Fiocchi Munizioni, Forni e Impianti Industriali Ing. De Bartolomeis, SAE, Carniti.

The creation of "offshoot" companies begins to be more accentuated in the period 1961-1971 and spreads horizontally throughout the District, determining the development of a homogenous class of businessmen in terms of both age and culture.

The dynamics of this period saw a further decline in the textile industry while the metallurgical and mechanical industries were able to maintain their positions on the whole, though applying highly differentiated strategies depending on the sectors.

On the level of organisation it is important to remember that in 1965 the "Ilexport Consortium of Lecco" was founded, the first export consortium to be created in Italy for the purpose of developing exports of the small and medium enterprises and crafts.