Tessilmare turns 70

Specialists in making art rub rails for boats and yachts, last month the global company announced it would start production of goods in the USA within the next six months, following the success of its distribution branch in the country, which it opened eight years ago.

“Tessilmare was established in 1947 by my grandfather, Mr. Dino Luigi Rezzonico and I am the third generation,” said Margherita Rezzonico, head of operations at Tessilmare. “During the last 30 years we have focused our production mainly on the rub rails and marine fabrics.”

Established as a silk factory in 1947, Tessilmare tapped into the marine market in 1965 when it began producing technical marine fabrics, sun tops, covers and life jackets.

Following this, it began making fender profiles for small and medium boats, doubling its turnover as it found its niche and expanding this product line to bigger boats, yachts of all sizes and the military. Today, its turnover comprises 80% fender profiles, 10% sun tops and 10% marine fabrics.

In the past 10 years’ the company has focused on expanding its operations globally and now has four patented lines of rub rails: Sphaera, Radial, Bino and Bumper. These products are shipped all across the United States from the company’s US branch.

By Rebecca Jeffrey