Specialist in cold moulding Brugola

Since its establishment in 1926, the Italian company Brugola OEB Industriale has introduced many successful innovations that have contributed to technological, cultural and quality advancements, thus enabling it to become a leader in the sector of special screws for engines. Daniele Garavaglia reports.

SPECIALIST IN COLD MOULDING

Brugola is able to claim an impressive technological record: one in four car engines throughout the world is assembled with the special screws produced by the company. Today it has a worldwide presence, with four plants in Lissone, a logistics centre in Desio, new US headquarters and 11 global logistics centres. Its 300 employees manufacture over 800 different types of screws, producing 7 million each day and selling 1,650,000 pieces each year.

“Brugola OEB Industriale is a symbol for Italy, thanks to its founder Egidio Brugola, my grandfather, who had the brilliant idea of patenting a unique product, the hexagon socket head bolt, known in Italy as ‘brugola’ – which today is used worldwide and was named after my grandfather who invented it. The company is a formidable expression of authentic ‘made in Italy’ and, thanks to the efforts of my father Giannantonio Brugola and the current management, has

expanded worldwide and continues to do so. Important milestones have included the 2015 opening of the plant in Michigan, United States, and the consolidation of sales, which have been steadily on the rise in recent years despite the global economic crisis,” says Egidio Jody Brugola, president and representative of the third generation of the family that founded the company in 1926 in Lissone, northern Italy.

He goes on to tell us about the origins and development of an extremely successful entrepreneurial story. “Brugola OEB Industriale is the go-to supplier for the automotive industry as a producer of ‘critical’ screws – that is those subject to the highest engine stresses – right from cylinder head screws for which we are world leaders, through to connecting rod screws. Thanks to our history and strategic vision we occupy a highly specialised niche in a world of general suppliers operating in all fastener segments. We are the only real co-designers able to develop advanced solutions together with our clients – automotive giants, primarily Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Ford, Renault, Nissan and Opel – because after decades of experience in the production of these screws we know how to develop them.”

Dedicated to innovation

Specialised in cold moulding, Brugola OEB Industriale only manufactures top-quality special screws and fastening components using the most cutting-edge automated assembly technologies for the most demanding applications in the mechanical and automotive industry. The company has been a pioneer in its field since the 1980s with the introduction of the ‘Single Plant Provider’ and ‘Zero Defect’ concepts, as well as the application of ‘total quality’. Its innovative spirit, always in tune with the natural changes of the market, has continued to distinguish it from its competitors.

Its most widely renowned products include the famous screw with a compact cylindrical head and hexagon socket, which may be combined with a shank formed by a helical spiral which works by distribut-

ing loads on the shank itself, thus increasing elasticity. Its peculiarity is that it can transmit considerable torque, higher than bolts with flatblade or Phillips driver, and takes up less space; it is mainly used when compactness and fastening precision are required. Another important innovation is Polydrive, the most revolutionary tightening system ever: this screw has a special dual-purpose spline-shaped drive, used for the assembly of critical parts, particularly for head installation, in the case of very compact modern engines; according to all major car manufacturers worldwide it is the best solution to successfully handle the most critical tightening conditions.

“Our keys to success, witnessed by our record global supplies and sales trends, are our focus on engine technology and Brugola OEB Industriale’s ability and flexibility to adapt to changing market needs. We are establishing technological partnerships with other global players in the sector, such as Hyundai and Toyota, for which we could become the first non-Japanese hardware suppliers,” says Jody Brugola. He also emphasises the company’s major strengths: highly automated production and handling processes, lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, zero-defect philosophy, and forward-looking research and development.

He concludes: “We aim to be increasingly global suppliers for a market that operates worldwide, but especially in the two key areas for industrial development and innovation: the United States and China.” A great challenge for a company that is soon to celebrate its 100th birthday. n