Bamar: the made in Italy that conquered the world

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Journal of Sailing, the great excellences of the sailing world tell their stories and reveal their projects. In this column, discover all the companies and people who have made important contributions to the multifaceted world of sailing, which enables us all to go to sea in all forms and contexts.

In this episode, we take you on a tour of the history and innovations of Bamar, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of on-board maneuvering systems.

From the artisan dream to the giants of the sea

Founded in 1977 in Romagna as a small artisan workshop, Bamar is now one of the world’s leading manufacturers of on-board maneuvering systems. And production, today as then, is 100 percent Made in Italy.

Bamar is one of the most recognized names in the field of maneuvering systems for sailing, thanks to a history that began in the heart of Romagna, almost half a century ago, and a path of growth marked by artisan creativity, great technological challenges and a deeply Italian DNA.

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It all began 48 years ago in a small “craftsman’s workshop” of the Zattini Family, which, thanks to the mechanical genius of Vladimiro Zattini, a turner who has always been passionate about sailing, and his historic friend (and later partner) Vittorio Bandini, laid the foundations of what would become a landmark industrial reality. The name “Bamar” was born precisely from the union of Bandini ‘s initials (BA) and a sound suffix to evoke the sea, the wind, and movement. The beginning is marked by the desire to devise mechanical solutions to hitherto unsolved on-board problems: the result is the first furling systems for sails, starting with the revolutionary external vertical mainsail furler applied to the mast, an immediately innovative and successful product, born in a thriving context, so much so that Romagna at the time was nicknamed “Sailing Valley” and saw important shipyards such as Comar flourish.

Bamar. The road to industrialization

Industrialization is the natural second step for a company that makes innovation its trademark. The constant search for new solutions leads Bamar to develop manual and motorized furling systems, to decline to hydraulic systems, electrical systems, accessories and even futuristic architectural applications. Technology, design and versatility become its signatures, globally recognized from cruising boats to the largest superyachts. Production is 100 percent Made in Italy, with all stages in-house: from design to the selection of raw materials to assembly and marketing. The artisan philosophy of the first hour is merged with the most modern industrial processes in a single factory of more than 18,000 square meters, allowing direct and rigorous quality control, the enhancement of the know-how of internal resources and the transmission of artisan skills from generation to generation. Another plus of Bamar is the possibility of performing overhauls on its dated items. Boats of all sizes, from the 45′ electric furler to large motors on sailing vessels that have been sailing for more than 35 years, return to Bamar where complete overhauls can be done to return to safe sailing for as many years.

The electric revolution

One of the major developments in recent years is the shift from hydraulic systems to electro-actuated controls, strongly desired and driven by the R&D department and in-house engineering. If the first electric winders were derived from automotive components, today the motors are custom designed. The introduction of planetary gearboxes and the development of patented electric vangs and cylinders (the vang was the first electrified product, presented at METS Amsterdam 2023) confirm Bamar ‘s ability to be ahead of the times and lead the market into the future. Tomorrow’s bet is to continue innovating, creating solutions that are increasingly efficient, reliable, and easy to install and use, investing in radically new designs in a difficult historical period, but full of opportunities for those who dare.

Bamar. The path to total quality

On the path to total quality, Bamar has recently achieved two key certifications from RINA: the Workshop Approval, attesting to compliance with the highest manufacturing quality standards, and the Type Approval, obtained for the two main families of hydraulic winders (GFI and GFSI CTS), recognizing compliance with international safety and performance standards. These milestones certify process reliability and product safety for both domestic and the world’s most demanding markets. Today, Bamar continues to combine the craftsmanship of the Romagna tradition with industrial capabilities, global exports and partnerships with major names in the international marine industry. From single manual furling to full custom systems for the giants of the sea, the range meets the need for innovation, design and reliability. Led by Claudia and Stefano Zattini, CEO of Soluzioni Meccaniche, the brand’s owners, Bamar looks ahead by investing in research, enhancing the internal supply chain and team growth, and staying true to that initial intuition born on the shores of the Adriatic: to find mechanical solutions where they do not yet exist, and redefine the standards of the future.

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Bamar

Via Fratelli Lumiere 45, 47122Forlì (FC)
in**@***ar.it
www.bamar.it

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