Delivering critical torque Brugola

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.

Brugola 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

company. It is specially designed for assemblies that rely on high torque, such as critical parts in modern automotive engines, especially for the installation of cylinder heads which operate under huge stresses.

Constant innovation has propelled the company’s fortunes to greater heights, helping it to achieve growth even through difficult times and enabled it to increase its turnover from €50 million in 1998 to 130 million in 2015. Today virtually every major automotive manufacturer from BMW to Mercedes Benz and from Volvo to General Motors rely on critical engine parts from Brugola. In 2017 the company employed around 800 people worldwide and recorded revenues of more than €150 million. Currently Brugola manufactures almost 1000 different types of screws, producing over seven million each day and selling 1,750,000 pieces each year.

expanding global reach

Today Brugola operates four state-of-the-art production sites in Lissone, Italy and a logistics centre in Desio. This is in addition to its global logistics centres located in Germany, North America, Mexico and Spain. In 2015 the company opened its first manufacturing facility in Michigan, USA.

Brugola said, “The United States represents an important market for us and it opens up some interesting business opportunities. We plan to strengthen our presence there, although Italy will always be our most important production hub. The opening of our first plant in the United States was due to the fact that Ford decided to move to Plymouth, Michigan. As Ford’s exclusive supplier we consequently adapted to this future-orientated decision.”

The company’s dedicated customer orientation is one reason why Brugola is the world’s top producer of fastener components for the automotive industry. “We continue to develop innovative solutions and to develop new materials and better products. We do not only manufacture products according to fixed specifications, we also put great emphasis on research and have a clear focus on the concept of future engines. We strive to develop solutions that are ahead of their times and are proud of the company’s special spirit that is evident throughout the company, its employees and customers.

“We are establishing strategic technical partnerships with other global players, such as Hyundai and Toyota, for whom we would become the first non-Japanese hardware suppliers. Brugola plans to become an increasingly global supplier for a market that operates worldwide, but especially in the two key areas for industrial development and innovation: the United States and China.

“Currently as engines become smaller on the one hand, there have been significant improvements in performance on the other. We therefore work on screws that are smaller but are able to provide even better resistance.

“We consider ourselves to be the most competent, reliable and innovative solution providers, and work closely in partnership with our customers to achieve the best possible outcomes for them and the industry. Our aim is to be the partner of choice for the most important automotive companies in the world when it comes to fastener components, and we are almost there. Negotiations are already in progress with Hyundai and Toyota and when these companies join our family, the circle will be complete.” n

For further details of Brugola’s innovative products and services visit: www.brugola.com