OUR HISTORY
BCS was founded in 1956 in Limite sull’Arno, in the heart of Tuscany, by a team specialized in the design and production of hydraulic steering systems for the marine industry.
These were the years of Italy’s economic reconstruction and of the growth of the national marine industry. From the very beginning, BCS worked alongside leading Italian shipyards, supplying high-quality products and highly specialized technical support. Thanks to its ability to understand and anticipate market needs, the company quickly established an increasingly important role within the Italian marine sector.
In the 1970s, as the marine industry continued to evolve, BCS progressively expanded its product range to meet new market requirements and began exporting its solutions across Europe.
Innovation has always been one of the main drivers of the company’s growth.
In 1988, BCS introduced hydraulic gangways to the market, followed in 1989 by hydraulically assisted steering systems, developed to improve comfort and steering precision. In the early 1990s, the company was among the first to introduce hydraulic thrusters to the market, contributing to the evolution of maneuvering systems for both leisure and professional vessels.
In the mid-1990s, one of the most significant innovations in the company’s history was launched: the E-2000 electronic steering system. BCS was among the first manufacturers in the world to apply CAN Bus technology to marine steering systems, paving the way for a new generation of integrated electronic systems.
In 1999, BCS presented the CO500 electrically assisted steering system. The system stood out for its ease of installation and “plug and play” configuration, which helped promote its adoption among shipyards and installers.
In 2006, BCS became part of Twin Disc Inc., one of the world’s leading groups specializing in power transmission systems for marine and industrial applications.
Joining Twin Disc enabled BCS to further consolidate its role as a technology partner for leading yacht and shipbuilding companies, while maintaining its specialist know-how and distinctive engineering identity.
In 2015, BCS introduced the new generation of E-STEER 4000 electronic steering systems, developed on the basis of more than twenty years of experience in the field.
More compact, versatile and easily expandable, the system integrates the latest onboard control and communication technologies. Today, more than 800 vessels are equipped with BCS electronic steering systems.
In 2023, BCS Marine became part of the CERTINA industrial group through DEMM S.r.l., marking the beginning of a new phase of growth and development.
Joining a solid international industrial group has enabled the company to further strengthen its technological, production and organizational capabilities, while preserving the wealth of expertise, experience and specialization built over more than sixty years of activity.
In 2025, BCS Marine, DEMM and Nuova TMR joined forces to establish MOVIMENTA Group, a cluster specialized in high-level metalworking and advanced mechanical engineering.
Today, BCS Marine is an internationally recognized technology partner for the design and production of steering and manoeuvring systems for the yacht and marine sectors. The company continues to develop innovative solutions that combine reliability, precision and ease of use, working alongside shipyards, designers and yacht owners all over the world.
From this perspective, the in-house partnership with Meta Electronics – a company operating in the B2B electronics sector that has always been committed to excellence in the research, development and production of advanced electronic solutions – paves the way for potential future developments in electronics applied to the maritime sector.
After more than seventy years in business, the company continues to look to the future with the same spirit that has characterised its journey since 1956: to innovate, evolve and design reliable solutions for the challenges of tomorrow’s navigation.
HISTORICAL MILESTONE
1956
THE ORIGINS
BCS was founded in Limite sull’Arno. The company specialized in the design and production of steering systems for the marine industry.
1970s
INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
BCS expanded its product range and began exporting its solutions, consolidating its presence in the main European markets.
The CERTINA Group
The CERTINA Group is an industrial holding company based in Munich and Grünwald, focused on creating long-term value through sustainability, continuity and technological innovation.
Over the years, CERTINA has developed a solid industrial platform through the acquisition of highly specialized companies operating in the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
Today, the Group is an international organization with over 25 years of experience, 21 companies in its portfolio, more than 5,400 employees, over 15 operating sites worldwide and total revenues of approximately €1.4 billion.
Its global presence is structured around five main business areas — Automotive & Mobility, Industrials, Packaging, Consumer, and Software & IT Solutions — combining advanced technological expertise, in-depth knowledge of local markets and a decentralized entrepreneurial approach.
Thanks to strong in-house industrial know-how and an international network of specialized companies, CERTINA supports the sustainable growth of its industrial businesses, enhancing their expertise, innovation and long-term development potential.
CERTIFICATIONS
Our company management system is structured according to certified standards that ensure full process control, traceability and compliance with regulatory requirements.
The certifications we have obtained confirm our ability to operate according to rigorous criteria recognized at international level.