Bronze being poured at the BOA foundry

Our story

The story of BOA

The story of BOA told through our memories of today. From a small machine shop founded in 1974 to a benchmark in copper alloys.

  1. 1974

    The founding

    BOA has been a creation of Pietro Antonio Bioni from the very beginning. Antonio came from a work experience in a large Brescia-based foundry and mechanical workshop specializing in non-ferrous metals when, in 1974, he decided to start his own business and founded BOA Officine Meccaniche, which focused on mechanical machining.

    The BOA mechanical workshop in the 1970s, black-and-white period photo
    The mechanical workshop in the 1970s
  2. 1977

    Shell casting

    In 1977, BOA took its first step towards innovation by introducing shell casting technology to enhance precision and product quality.

  3. 1981–86

    Centrifugal casting and in-house laboratory

    In 1981, the production of centrifugally cast components began, and in 1986, an in-house laboratory for chemical analysis and hardness testing was set up.

    At that time, it was uncommon to have an analysis laboratory, as few companies chose to invest in one. This actually made it possible to analyze the scrap materials, which were the raw materials BOA used to manufacture its products. It is worth noting that at the time, using scrap materials – essentially waste materials – was not considered a point of pride, as foundries typically purchased ingots from refineries.

    Antonio's innovative vision was successful even in that case, as it allowed him to bypass the external refining process, resulting in both economic gains and energy savings.

  4. «In '84, I would meet him as I was leaving the factory, and he was at the wheel of the van he used to sell bushings. In the morning, he would deliver them, and in the afternoon, he would be back at the factory producing them.»

    Massimo, a memory of the founder

  5. 1988

    The current headquarters

    In 1988, BOA moved to its current location.

    This change reflected the company's growth and the need for a larger and more functional space to support the expansion of its production and commercial activities. The new headquarters became the hub of innovation and operational efficiency, strengthening BOA's position in the metal alloy and industrial manufacturing sector.

    BOA headquarters
  6. 1996

    ISO 9001 certification

    In 1996, BOA obtained ISO 9001 certification for the production of continuously cast bars and centrifugally cast components in copper alloys, as well as precision machining based on customer specifications.

  7. 1999

    Continuous casting

    BOA took a significant step forward with the installation of its first continuous casting line. This advanced technology allowed for the optimization of production processes, ensuring greater efficiency, product quality uniformity and the ability to meet the growing demands of the market.

    Water-cooled molten metal on the continuous casting line
    Molten metal being poured: the process that has defined BOA's production since 1999
  8. 2001

    Mechanical workshop relocation

    In 2001, the mechanical workshop was relocated to its current 1,800-square-meter facility.

  9. 2006

    Continuous casting enhancement

    In 2006, new continuous casting systems were installed, and shell casting was discontinued.

  10. 2012

    Metrology room

    In 2012, the mechanical workshop was equipped with a metrology room.

  11. 2015

    Production site expansion

    In 2015, the production site was expanded and equipped with new casting lines.

  12. 2023

    ISO 14001 certification

    In 2023, BOA was certified UNI EN ISO 14001.

Continuity

Today, BOA is led by those who were already designated by Antonio to manage it. It is the continuation of the company's mission by those who grew professionally and personally alongside the founder. This ensures the preservation of foundational values such as passion for the foundry, a spirit of collaboration, and the drive to grow and improve both as individuals and as a team.

At BOA, we are convinced that a solid company can stay true to its roots while bringing innovation to operational management and offering dynamic solutions to an increasingly demanding market. We do this, as always, by valuing each person's talents and considering experience as a gift to learn from and pass on.