Federico Veneziano didn’t just buy the machine shop he worked for — he became the sole owner of a 70-year-old company and then changed its name, culture, and direction.
When Federico Veneziano bought American Micro three years ago, there were over 25 shareholders. Now there’s one. The company had 86 employees. Now it’s 130. And the name? Gone. It’s BoldX Industries now.
This is part two of our interview. In part one, we covered the journey from Italy to DMG to American Micro to ownership. This episode is about Federico’s rebirth. His vision. A culture shift. Products with purpose, like handcuffs that can’t be picked and ladders that save lives. Expansion plans. A book trilogy. A new baby.
What can I say? Federico is bold.
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Interview Highlights
25 Owners to One
Federico says he always knew he wanted to own a company. His grandfather ran a logistics company. His father was an architect with his own firm. He grew up around entrepreneurs.
American Micro was founded in 1957. By the time Federico bought it, the founder’s six children had become over 25 shareholders across multiple generations. Only four or five were active in the business. No succession plan.
In 2023, after several attempts to purchase the company over the years, Federico finally bought full ownership of American Micro. Then he changed the name. Why rename a company with nearly 70 years of history? Federico wanted a fresh start. Something that represented who he is.
Handcuffs and Ladders
Federico grew up loving machining. But today, he’s moving toward value-added products that BoldX designs and builds from start to finish.
One example is handcuffs. The current design used by law enforcement is over 100 years old. It can be shimmed or picked. BoldX owns a new design that eliminates those vulnerabilities.
Another product the company produces is a smart ladder for commercial construction, designed to reduce accidents so workers go home to their families.
Federico says these products have changed the culture at BoldX. They give employees purpose beyond a paycheck. They’re building things that matter.
Integration Over Work/Life Balance
Honestly, I’m overwhelmed just talking to Federico about all the things he’s up to. He’s running a 130-person company, writing books, starting a publishing company, expanding to multiple states, had a new baby 16 months ago, which he called the happiest moment of his life.
Lately I’ve been reading about essentialism, the idea that you have to make hard choices to focus on fewer things that matter most in your life. It seems like Federico operates on the opposite principle. But when we talked, he seemed calm about it.
He says he doesn’t believe in separating work and life into silos. If his family shares the vision, if the team is aligned, it all moves together.
I admire Federico’s incredible ambition and achievements, but I’m awed by his passion for life he exudes.
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