FB Design

What FB Design does

FB Design Srl is an Italian privately-held boat builder founded in 1971 by mechanical engineer and powerboat racing champion Fabio Buzzi, headquartered in Annone Brianza, Italy on a 12,000 sqm site employing approximately 40 production technicians. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures high-performance motor boats in the 17-to-80-foot range, with two primary product lines: custom patrol and rescue boats sold to government and military organizations worldwide (including navies, coast guards, customs authorities, border police, and special forces), and a secondary line of luxury leisure boats marketed under the BUZZI brand to high-net-worth private customers. Core technology rests on several registered patents, including the Structural Foam® unsinkable hull construction (fiberglass with closed-cell polyurethane foam injection and longitudinal stiffeners), the STAB® lateral stabilization system, Trimax surface drives (developed originally by FB Design and now produced in partnership with ZF Corporation), the 3TAB® automatic trim tab control, and the FB Condair marine air conditioning system. Manufacturing is supported by a 5-axis CNC milling machine with a 24x6.5x3.5m working surface for full-scale hull mould fabrication, plus in-house composite construction capabilities.

The business model is bespoke project-based manufacturing: each patrol boat is custom-configured to the operational requirements of the government buyer, with pricing conducted via quote rather than public list, and detailed product information gated behind a restricted client portal. Sales are executed through direct enterprise engagement with no intermediaries or distributors, supplemented by participation in naval defence exhibitions such as NAVDEX. Distribution spans at least 14 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Revenue is generated entirely through one-time equipment sales, with no recurring service, licensing, or aftermarket revenue streams disclosed in available materials. The company is ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2023 certified, and its racing heritage (52 World Championships, 7 Harmsworth Trophies, 56 world speed records including a 277.515 km/h Guinness-certified diesel record in 2018) functions both as a marketing asset and as a live R&D testbed that subsidizes innovation costs which would otherwise be charged to government customers.

From an investment perspective, FB Design is a founder-led, founder-controlled specialty manufacturer with deep engineering IP, validated mission performance, and a defensible niche in high-end patrol boats, but limited scale (mid-single-digit-million to low-double-digit-million EUR revenue), concentrated enterprise/government customer base, and no recurring revenue model. Strategic value lies in the patented technology portfolio (Structural Foam, STAB, Trimax, 3TAB), racing-validated brand equity, and the niche position in a market where few competitors can meet combined speed, range, and unsinkability specifications demanded by serious military and coast guard operators.

Name

FB Design

Legal name

FB Design Srl

Website

https://fbdesign.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FB Design is an Italian, privately-held boat builder founded in 1971 that designs and manufactures high-performance custom patrol boats for military, naval, and coast guard organizations worldwide, alongside a secondary line of luxury leisure boats under the BUZZI brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

High-Performance Marine Vessels

NAICS

Boat Building (336612), Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (3366)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Patrol & Littoral Security Craft (OPV, Fast Attack, Interceptors) (IMAJABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Patrol, Interceptor & Law-Enforcement Craft (Coast Guard, Customs) (IMAJADAD), Search & Rescue (SAR) & Lifeboats (IMAJADAI), Semi-Custom & Series Production Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAM)

Keywords

• High-performance patrol boats
• Rigid inflatable boats
• Naval patrol vessels
• Luxury leisure boats
• Motor boat manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Annone Di Brianza

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Patrol Boat Sales to Government Organizations: FB Design generates primary revenue from the design, construction, and sale of high-speed patrol boats to naval organizations, coast guards, customs authorities, and military corps worldwide. Each boat is custom-configured to the specific operational requirements of the government customer.
2. Leisure/High-Performance Sport Boat Sales: Secondary revenue stream from sale of fast leisure boats to wealthy private customers who demand high performance and reliability. Boats like the BUZZI series (RIBs and STAB models) are sold to private individuals.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

FB Design designs, engineers, and manufactures high-performance motor boats — primarily custom-configured patrol boats for military, naval, coast guard, customs, and border police organizations, plus a separate line of luxury leisure boats (BUZZI brand) for high-net-worth private customers. The patrol boat line includes SF-series, STAB-series, RIB-series, and large interceptors (17' to 80') featuring the patented Structural Foam® unsinkable hull technology, STAB® lateral stabilization, and surface drive propulsion.

Product overview

FB Design is an Italian boat builder established in 1971 by Fabio Buzzi, specializing in high-performance patrol boats for military and coast guard organizations worldwide, alongside luxury leisure boats. The company manufactures a comprehensive range of vessels from 10' to 80' including Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB), STAB-series boats with lateral stabilization, and SF-series boats featuring Structural Foam unsinkable technology. Core technologies include the patented STAB inflatable stabilization system, Structural Foam closed-cell polyurethane foam hull construction, ZF Ring Drive and Trimax surface drives, 3TAB automatic trim control, and FB Condair air conditioning systems. FB Design holds multiple world speed records and supplies patrol boats to Guardia di Finanza, Italian Coast Guard, Turkish Customs, Swedish Coast Guard, Cyprus Navy, and numerous other government organizations globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FB 60' SF Wide-beam patrol/rescue boat featuring Structural Foam technology for unsinkability. 18.20m length, top speed above 60 knots with two inboard engines, range above 500nm. Suitable for weekly sea missions with up to 5 cabins and 2+1 bathrooms. Designed for naval, coast guard, customs, and patrol operations.
• FB 38' STAB SF Multi-functional patrol platform with ZF Ring Drive surface drives, STAB stability system, and Structural Foam unsinkability. 11.4m length, up to 60 knots. Fits inside 40' container for transport. Adopted by Italian Coast Guard for airport rescue and by Mongla Port Authority (Bangladesh), Guardia di Finanza, Guardia Costiera, and Ecuador Coast Guard.
• FB 55' High-speed interceptor based on the Gran Argentina superboat racing hull. 16.41m length, up to 68 knots. Used by Hong Kong Police, Customs, and Italian Guardia di Finanza for high-speed interception and special operations.
• FB 52' SF Evolution of the FB 43' SF. 15.72m length, up to 55 knots. Powered by 2 FPT C13 engines with 825hp each. Used by Italian Guardia di Finanza for naval patrol and customs enforcement.
• FB 43' SF Patrol boat with 12.83m length, up to 54 knots. Features CAD-CAM designed hull with Structural Foam construction. Ten units delivered to Turkish Customs Authority under EuropeAid program.
• FB 41' SF Patrol boat with 12.52m length, up to 58 knots. Features improved Structural Foam technology and reverse windshield hard-top. Used in high-speed patrol operations and racing record attempts.
• FB 32' SF Multi-purpose vessel available in 7m, 8.5m, or 10m sizes. Usable for riverine combat, open sea operations, work boat, bridge boat, water ambulance, fire-fighting, or water taxi. 10 different power plant options available.
• FB 80' Largest patrol boat in the FB Design range. 24m length, up to 56 knots. Built for naval patrol, coast guard, and long-range missions.
• RIB 42' SF Rigid Inflatable Boat with 13.2m length, up to 70 knots. Features Structural Foam construction and inflatable collar. Adopted by Cyprus Navy for maritime patrol operations.
• RIB 39' SF Rigid Inflatable Boat with Structural Foam construction. Powered with 2 outboard engines with 350 hp each, max speed over 60 knots. Delivered to Swedish Coast Guard and Albania Police.
• RIB 34' SF Rigid Inflatable Boat with 2 inboard engines with 370 hp each, max speed 58 knots. Features Tecno Jockey seats. Delivered to Swedish Coast Guard, Belarus Border Police (closed heated cabin variant), and Gibraltar HM Customs (HMC SEARCHER and HMC SEEKER).
• RIB 17' SF Smallest RIB in the FB Design range. 5.73m overall length, 2.3m wide. Inflatable collar in 5 chambers, Structural Foam construction. Powered with Mercury engine of 100 HP, top speed 38 knots. Used by Kazakhstan Police for law enforcement on rivers and coastal waters.
• BUZZI 39' RIB SF Leisure RIB boat under the BUZZI brand, 12.20m length, up to 70 knots. Built for high-net-worth private customers seeking racing-derived performance in a luxury leisure vessel.
• BUZZI 55' STAB Luxury leisure boat with STAB stabilization, 16.41m length, up to 68 knots. For high-net-worth private customers seeking racing-derived performance with comfort and lateral stability.
• BUZZI 34' RIB SF Compact leisure RIB under the BUZZI brand, 10m length, up to 60 knots. Built for private customers seeking high-performance recreational boating.

Quantifiable outcome

• Diesel Powerboat World Speed Record: 277.515 km/h (March 2018, certified by 2 Guinness World Record officials)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• FPT Industrial (formerly IVECO/FPT)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1983FB Design has a historical relationship since 1983 with IVECO and now with FPT Industrial (FPT stands for Fiat Powertrain Technologies). FPT Industrial developed the diesel engine used for the 2018 Diesel Powerboat World Speed Record at 277.515 km/h. Engines used include FPT C90, Cursor 90, C13, and N67 engines.
• ZF CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationFB Design originally developed Trimax surface drive transmissions, which are now produced in partnership with ZF Corporation. ZF Ring Drive surface drives are featured on multiple FB Design patrol boats including FB 38' STAB SF.
• MTU (Rolls-Royce Power Systems)coreTechnology or IntegrationMTU V10 engines (1620 Hp) power the FB 60' SF Ognitempo delivered to Guardia di Finanza, achieving top speed of 54 knots. MTU engines of 1600 hp also powered the FB 60' that set the Montecarlo-Venice record.
• EuropeAid (EU)coreOthersEU funding mechanism through which FB Design supplies boats to various government customers including Turkish Customs Authority (10 FB 43' SF) and Belarus Border Police (2 RIB 34' SF) as part of modernization programs for border surveillance and customs administration.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Damen Shipyards: Dutch global shipbuilder with a dedicated high-speed patrol vessel line (Damen Interceptors, Fast Crew Suppliers). Broad incumbent offering serial-produced, lower-cost high-speed patrol craft that competes with FB Design on price-sensitive government tenders where customization depth is less critical.
• Fincantieri: Italy's largest naval shipyard producing OPVs, patrol vessels, and full combatants. Broad incumbent competing with FB Design in the upper end of the patrol-boat segment, particularly for Guardia di Finanza and Italian Navy tenders where FB Design's 60'–80' class competes against Fincantieri's integrated platforms.

Direct peers

• Metal Shark Boats: Aluminum patrol-boat builder supplying US Navy, Coast Guard, and allied militaries. Comparable in custom-configured government patrol craft (Defiant, Fearless, Guardian lines) and direct competition in the same procurement programs FB Design targets.
• SAFE Boats International: US-based builder of aluminum patrol and interdiction craft for Coast Guard, Navy, and law-enforcement customers. Directly comparable to FB Design in mission (high-speed patrol for government), build-to-order model, and customer base (USCG, US Navy, federal agencies).
• Zodiak Milpro: Naval Group subsidiary specializing in military RIBs and inflatable patrol craft. Directly competes with FB Design's RIB SF line (RIB 34', 39', 42') for navy, special-forces, and coast guard RIB contracts across Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
• Fassmer: German shipyard producing patrol, SAR, and special-purpose craft for coast guards and navies globally. Comparable in delivering custom-configured government patrol and rescue vessels with similar speed and seakeeping requirements to FB Design's SF and STAB lines.
• CMN (Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie): French builder of fast patrol vessels, interceptors, and OPVs for navies and coast guards. Directly comparable in producing high-speed composite and aluminum patrol craft (e.g., Patrol Boats, Interceptors) for government customers in similar size classes to FB Design's 38'–60' range.
• Cantiere Navale Vittoria: Italian shipyard building patrol boats and special vessels for the Italian Navy, Guardia di Finanza, and Coast Guard. Direct domestic competitor to FB Design in the same Italian government procurement programs (e.g., FB 60' SF vs Vittoria's patrol range).

Emerging players

• Mystic Powerboats: US high-performance catamaran and V-bottom powerboat builder. Comparable in the leisure/sport boat segment of FB Design's portfolio, with racing-derived hull technology and a focus on premium HNW buyers seeking 60+ knot performance.
• Cigarette Racing Team: US high-performance offshore powerboat builder. Comparable in the leisure/sport side of FB Design's BUZZI product line, with similar 60–80 knot performance positioning and HNW customer base, though focused exclusively on the leisure segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/FBDesignSrl

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FB Design