The history of our wooden tool handles is intertwined with that of the watermills of Lombardy and Valtellina
The so-called “Valle dei Mulini” (Valley of Watermills) is situated only half an hour’s drive from our company, as you head towards Teglio (SO). It is named after the vast presence of watermills in the area, with 38 of the over 500 watermills spread across 72 municipalities in the province of Sondrio. Watermills were mainly used for the grinding of cereals, but they were also important for the first big firms and companies and for craftsman activities. Thanks to the force of the water it was possible to produce the energy necessary to make the machinery work at full speed.
It is interesting to know about the roots of our production of wooden tool handles, as this is what still motivates us every day with great passion, and we are proud to share it with you!
Watermills and wooden handles
Foppoli Bramin’s history is deeply rooted in the historical and cultural background of Valtellina, in particular, and the region of Lombardy in general. Starting from the early twentieth century, our family business has gone through decades of changes, never forgetting about the profound connection it has with its land and with traditional woodworking techniques.
In the early 1900s, Abramo Foppoli, great-grandfather of Gianni Foppoli and great-great-grandfather of Simone, the current owner, ran a small business of wooden handles that represented the essence of the inventiveness and craftsmanship of those years.
This is the reason why, in the 20th century, our business was based on watermills: a clean and renewable source of energy that has defined the landscape of the Region of Lombardy for centuries. Two wheels, powered by the flow of an adjacent channel, provided the energy needed to run the machines – a system that reflected the deep connection between industry and the natural landscape of that period.
One of these wheels was dedicated exclusively to the “Segatronchi Veneziana” (Venetian Log Mill), a specific machine designed to work with water power, while the other wheel powered the rest of the machinery, including a die, two band saws and two wood-planers. This offered a useful and functional division of labour and energy that helped craftsmen to process wood directly from the trunk, avoiding the wood-board processing stage.
During this period, production focused mainly on wooden rakes, however, the creation of wooden tool handles was already happening, sign of the versatility and adaptability that has always defined Foppoli Bramin.
And there is more. All the machinery had been internally built thanks to the collaboration with the expertise of Professor Crenna from the technical and professional institutes in Tirano. This avant-garde choice was the first step in the current collaborations between the world of schools and the world of business.
The daily challenge, above all, was the climate. On cold winter days, before being able to start production, it was necessary to free the wheels of the mills from the ice, an operation far from modern dynamics but which demonstrates all the strength and resilience of those who worked there at that time.
Foppoli Bramin today
Over the years, Foppoli Bramin has been able to evolve by integrating advanced technologies and expanding its market well beyond local borders. We never stopped looking back on our roots. On the contrary, we value and keep alive our family memories and the stories of hard work and effort handed down from generation to generation.
Since 1890, we have been producing and supplying Made in Italy wooden handles for tools and work utensils all over the world, from Northern Europe to North Africa and the Middle East, up to the new markets of India and China. However, we owe everything to Abramo Foppoli (hence the nickname Bramin) and Legnamèr (the carpenters) of Valtellina, who both gave shape to our work, discipline and passion.
