The expansion of silkworm farming and cocoon processing led to the development of industrial activities, particularly in the extraction and twisting of silk thread. The most important companies were Fogliardi in Melano, Lucchini in Lugano, and Bolzani-Torriani in Mendrisio. They were built near waterways to harness their power and in agricultural areas, where they could find low-cost, unskilled labor, primarily women and girls, who could be employed as young as nine.
At its peak, in 1888, silk spinning was the most important industrial activity in Ticino, employing more than 1,200 workers, many from Italy.