Delivering critical torque Brugola SpA is a symbol of the best in Italian innovation and engineering. It has a legendary technological record with one in every four car engines relying on its components. Philip Yorke reports on a company that continues to pioneer new solutions and to revolutionise critical tightening assembly systems that also provide ‘zero defect’ solutions.
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rugola was founded in Lissone, Italy in 1926 by Egideo Brugola, an Italian inventor and entrepreneur, who began by establishing a factory for producing washers and special engine rings. In 1945 Brugola patented a special bolt that subsequently carried his name: a unique socket head bolt with a spiral shank. This fastener revolutionised the automotive assembly market at the time. Following this landmark, the company continued to see consistent growth over the years and in 1964, the founder’s son Giananntonio Brugola took over the reins to become president. Under his leadership Brugola focused increasingly on the development of niche products such as hexagonal socket bolts, which in turn in the 1980s led to its strategic partnership with Volkswagen. Following this significant association, the principles of ‘zero defects’ and ‘total quality control’ were introduced by Brugola thus creating yet another milestone in the company’s history and opening up a broad range of new market opportunities. Further new benchmarks were set in 1993 with the launch of Brugola’s patented Polydrive® bolt. This unique component evolved from the cylindrical head bolt and hexagonal socket developed earlier by the
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