Insight

Here Jody Brugola, president at Brugola OEB, discusses developments, investments and strategies within the leading Italian manufacturer. He also provides an overview and insight into the wider automotive sector for which his business is synonymous. 

In the past two years the fastener market has seen significant evolution. The demand for more sophisticated and customised solutions has increased, driven mainly by the ongoing transition in the automotive world. Fastening components continue to be essential regardless of the type of engine, be it electric, internal combustion or hybrid.

At Brugola OEB we have invested heavily in a strategic expansion plan over recent years, which includes the purchase of new machinery, expansion of production facilities, an increase in human resources, as well as technological investments. These developments have been driven by our desire to continue our growth path. We have a concrete goal to exceed €200 million in revenue whilst continuing to offer our customers excellent and cutting edge products.

Brugola OEB has always been a world leader in the production of critical fasteners for internal combustion engines. In fact, we are able to produce any type of screw or fastening element for the automotive sector, regardless of the type of engine. Every one of our components is designed for high performance applications and the quality of our products is ensured through rigorous controls at all stages of production, from the procurement of raw materials to the final inspection of the finished product. To expand our portfolio, we have also invested in the development of special products that require a high-level of technical know-how and an in-depth knowledge of the automotive market. I see a growing demand for customised and sustainable solutions with a focus on technological innovation. That is why our company plans to continuously invest in research and development to anticipate these trends and offer products that meet new market needs.

Whilst the automotive sector is currently undergoing a significant transition towards electric mobility, our goal remains bringing excellent products to the market – meeting customer demands, as well as providing technologically advanced solutions. To do this we focus on a ‘four-handed’ collaboration with the customer, which involves joint product development – working closely with customers to understand their specific needs and develop tailored solutions. This approach allows us to provide not only products, but also added value through collaborative innovation.

At the forefront of transformation

Manufacturing companies need to undergo a significant transformation to remain competitive in the future. A crucial element of this transformation is preserving the skills and know-how acquired over the years. This is essential because, despite technological advancement and automation, human labour remains indispensable in many cases. Finding people willing to work in manufacturing companies is an increasing challenge. Skilled labour is essential in maintaining high standards of quality and innovation. To address this challenge, companies need to invest in continuous training programmes and work closely with technical institutes and universities to attract young talent and train the next generation of skilled workers.

I believe that in our sector, we can always move towards new forms of automation, but the human component will remain a key and fundamental element for the production of fasteners. I do not believe they can be in contrast; on the contrary, automation and new technologies can support creating better working conditions and increasing resource efficiency.

Another key transformation companies will need to make is regarding sustainability, which is already a fundamental pillar for Brugola OEB. For several years we have been committed to a series of projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and offsetting CO₂ emissions. Our goal is ambitious; to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 and record a 70% reduction in emissions compared to 2019 levels through offsetting and reduction activities.

To do this we are engaged in various initiatives to reduce environmental impact, such as reusing oils used in our production process, as well as reducing plastic and using LED lighting. Additionally, we have been collaborating with Forever Bambù, a European leader in giant bamboo forests in Italy, for several years. Currently, we have purchased six hectares of giant bamboo, which will soon become sixteen hectares. Each hectare has an absorption capacity of 260 tonnes of CO₂.

Another area in which we have taken measures is in regard to the increasing energy costs, which have been a major factor in recent years. We have looked to improve energy efficiency, as well as optimise our production process and reduce consumption. In the future, I expect energy costs to remain volatile, so we will continue to invest in sustainable solutions and the optimisation of our production processes.

A proud Italian family business

At Brugola we are proud to be an Italian manufacturer, for us ‘Made in Italy’ represents quality, innovation, and tradition, which reflects our commitment to excellence. Italian manufacturing also stands out for its ability to combine tradition and innovation, a quality that allows us to offer unique and high-quality products that set us apart from global competition. Brugola’s story is that of a company that has created a revolutionary and iconic product, known by the name of its inventor, with a precise and important constant – the strong ‘Made in Italy’ identity that has not changed from 1926 to today. Skills, production, know-how and resources have always been 100% ‘Made in Italy’ – with the aim of pursuing excellence through innovation and enhancing our territory.

We are also a company that is going against the trend of the fastener sector, with 2024 a very important year for us. In April 2024, the company ownership returned to 100% Brugola family ownership through the repurchase of minority shares. This is a fundamental milestone both for the company and the family. This is a gesture I felt the duty and desire to accomplish in honour of my father and grandfather, who dedicated passion and commitment to building this company. Of course, we do not intend to stop here. Brugola is always oriented towards progress and we have numerous goals to pursue. Thanks to this operation, which occurred at a strategic moment, we can continue to adhere to our expansion and growth plan with the intent to meet market demand with excellent, innovative and tailored products for our customers – who also benefit from high-quality products, dedicated technical support and customised solutions.