Omega

What Omega does

Omega (Pennellificio Omega S.p.A.) is a family-owned Italian manufacturer headquartered in Bologna that produces professional and consumer-grade paint brushes, paint rollers, and men's grooming products including shaving brushes and straight razors. The company operates under the Frascari family and is organized as a private S.p.A. with registered share capital of €970,200 and a workforce of 11–50 employees. Its roots date to the 1940s, and the business has been extended over time from purely applicator tools into a multi-category grooming supplier.

The company's core technology centers on proprietary synthetic fiber formulations (PBT-based) marketed under sub-brands such as Hi-Brush, Black Hi-Brush, S-Brush, Elite, and EVO, alongside natural-hair brushes (hog bristle, badger) and, in the razor line, RTL18 carbon steel. The portfolio spans paint-application products (strozzati, oval, flat, radiator, wall, and parquet brushes, plus rollers and mini-rollers) and shaving products (shaving brushes, straight razors developed with DOVO and Riccardo Tonarini, shaving creams and soaps). Multiple sub-brands — Via Barberia, Hi-Brush, S-Brush, Elite, EVO, H2O Line, Flexi Brush, Migliore, Yachting Special, and OMEGATTO — indicate a deliberate house-of-brands strategy.

Omega's business model combines direct-to-consumer sales through its own e-commerce platform, B2B distribution via specialty retail channels, and a dedicated export operation. Distribution includes an exclusive arrangement with BARBIERI UNITI SRL for the EVO series, and strategic co-development agreements with Germany's DOVO for razor production and with artisan Riccardo Tonarini for limited-edition designs. The geographic footprint spans Italy, USA, United Kingdom, and Germany, with global e-commerce availability and dedicated export handling infrastructure.

Name

Omega

Legal name

Pennellificio Omega S.p.A.

Website

https://omegabrush.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Omega (Pennellificio Omega S.p.A.) is a Bologna-based, family-owned Italian manufacturer of professional paint brushes, paint rollers, and men's grooming products including shaving brushes and straight razors. Founded in the 1940s and selling globally via e-commerce and specialty distribution across Italy, USA, UK, and Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bologna

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Painting Tools Sales: Sale of professional and consumer paint brushes, rollers, and accessories through direct sales and potentially through distributors.
2. Wet Shaving Products Sales: Sale of shaving brushes (natural and synthetic), straight razors, safety razors, shaving creams and soaps, lather bowls, and accessories. Includes premium handcrafted items and limited editions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Omega (Pennellificio Omega S.p.A.) is an Italian manufacturer producing two core product lines: (1) professional and consumer paint brushes, paint rollers, and painting accessories, and (2) traditional wet shaving products including shaving brushes in hog bristle, badger hair, and proprietary synthetic fibers (S-Brush, Hi-Brush, Black Hi-Brush, EVO, Elite), along with straight razors, safety razors, shaving creams, soaps, and related accessories. All manufacturing is conducted at the company's facility in Bologna, Italy.

Product overview

Omega (Pennellificio Omega S.p.A.) is an Italian manufacturer of premium brushes based in Bologna, producing two main product lines: painting tools and wet shaving products. The painting division offers comprehensive paint brushes (strozzati, oval, flat, radiator, wall, parquet brushes), paint rollers, mini-rollers, accessories (scrapers, abrasives, spatulas), and specialized lines including H2O (water-based paints), Flexi Brush, Yachting Special, and Migliore. The wet shaving division provides traditional shaving brushes in hog bristle, badger hair (Badger Plus, Black Badger, Super Badger, Silvertip), and synthetic fibers (S-Brush, Hi-Brush, Black Hi-Brush, Evo, Elite), along with straight razors and safety razors (including DOVO and Riccardo Tonarini collaborations), creams and soaps, accessories, and cosmetics. Notable product collections include the GT Series (motorsport-inspired resin handles), Vintage Edition (heritage-inspired designs), 5 Elements Collection (element-themed series), and OMEGATTO (cat-themed brushes). The company operates as a dual-category manufacturer with no unified platform architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Via Barberia: Shaving line brand featuring traditional wet shaving products
• Hi-Brush
• Black Hi-Brush
• S-Brush
• Elite
• Evo
• H2O Line
• Flexi Brush
• Migliore Line
• Yachting Special
• OMEGATTO

Products and services

• Paint Brushes (Pennelli da Vernice)
• Paint Rollers (Rulli da Vernice) Paint rollers, mini-rollers, and roller frames/handles for various painting applications on walls and surfaces.
• Hog Bristle Shaving Brushes (Pennelli da Barba in Setola) Traditional wet shaving brushes made from hog bristle, available in professional, traveling, and classic styles for individual users and barbers.
• Badger Shaving Brushes (Pennelli da Barba in Tasso) Premium shaving brushes made from badger hair, available in Badger Plus, Black Badger, Super Badger, and Silvertip variants for traditional wet shaving enthusiasts.
• Synthetic Fiber Shaving Brushes (PBT) Modern synthetic fiber shaving brushes made from PBT semi-crystalline polyester, including S-Brush (bristle effect), Hi-Brush (badger effect), Black Hi-Brush (black badger effect), EVO, and Elite fiber variants. Vegan and animal-friendly with wavy monofilaments for whipping shaving creams and soaps.
• Razors (Rasoi) Straight razors and double edge safety razors for traditional wet shaving, including products from DOVO (e.g., SR6800 with chrome vanadium steel) and Riccardo Tonarini (e.g., SR5875 '1820' with RTL18 carbon steel and SR5877 'RIVA') collaborations.
• Shaving Creams and Soaps (Creme e Saponi) Shaving creams and soaps for traditional wet shaving, sold as supporting products to Omega's brush and razor lines.
• H2O Line for Water-Based Paints Specialized paint brushes and rollers designed for use with water-based enamels and paints, addressing environmental and modern coating applications.
• Flexi Brush Line Flexible paint brushes for specialized painting applications requiring flexible bristle response.
• Yachting Special Line Professional paint brushes and rollers designed for yachting and marine surface applications, addressing the specific coating and finishing needs of marine vessels.
• Migliore Line Premium quality paint brushes in the Omega product line, positioned at the top tier of the company's painting tools range.
• Via Barberia Shaving Line Traditional Italian barbershop-inspired shaving products under the Via Barberia sub-brand.
• Painting Accessories (Accessori) Supporting painting products including scrapers, abrasives, roller accessories, putty knives, and trowels.
• Shaving Cosmetics (Cosmesi) Cosmetic products related to shaving and grooming, sold as accessory items supporting Omega's wet shaving range.
• GT Series (Elite Fiber) Shaving Brushes Premium synthetic fiber shaving brushes in the Elite fiber line featuring turned resin handles inspired by iconic motorsport liveries.
• Vintage Edition (Elite Fiber) Shaving Brushes Synthetic fiber shaving brushes inspired by the first handcrafted Omega models, including MB1920-MB1922 series.
• 5 Elements Collection (Elite Fiber) Shaving Brushes Themed synthetic fiber shaving brush collection inspired by the classical cosmological elements: Air, Water, Earth, Fire, and Passion, featuring turned resin handles with unique aesthetics.
• OMEGATTO (Black Hi-Brush) Shaving Brushes Cat-themed Black Hi-Brush synthetic fiber shaving brushes available in HE, SHE, and KIT variants, with glossy black ergonomic handles and laser-engraved designs.
• EVO Series Synthetic Fiber Shaving Brushes Advanced synthetic fiber shaving brushes made from PBT with improved technical features including wider base diameter, special undulation, and fine chemical tapering for enhanced lather volume and skin mechanical action.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DOVOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with DOVO, a historic cutlery company from Solingen, Germany, specializing in razor blade production. The partnership resulted in the SR6800 straight razor, which features a black wood handle and blade made from 1.2210 chrome vanadium steel for easy sharpening and wear resistance. The razor is handcrafted by DOVO.
• Riccardo TonarinicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with artisan Riccardo Tonarini for exclusive straight razor designs including the SR5875 '1820' and SR5877 'RIVA'. The SR5875 features a blade forged from custom RTL18 carbon steel and buffalo horn handle. Tonarini's designs reinterpret classic Sheffield razors like Wade & Butcher.
• BARBIERI UNITI SRLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Omega EVO series products, including camouflage-colored brushes and other EVO fiber variations. Products sold through www.rasoigoodfellas.com.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Edwin Jagger: Edwin Jagger is a UK-based manufacturer of premium wet shaving products including synthetic and badger brushes, safety razors, and shaving soaps. Directly competes with Omega in synthetic fiber shaving brushes and traditional wet shaving accessories, particularly in European markets.
• Simpson Shaving Brushes: Simpson is a heritage British maker of hand-tied shaving brushes founded in 1919, considered the gold standard in the wet shaving enthusiast community. Directly comparable to Omega for its premium badger and synthetic shaving brush range, handcrafted production, and loyal enthusiast following.
• DOVO Solingen: DOVO is a historic German straight razor and cutlery manufacturer from Solingen, founded in 1906. Already a partner of Omega for the SR6800 razor, DOVO is a directly comparable European heritage grooming manufacturer focused on premium handcrafted straight razors.
• Semogue: Semogue is a Portuguese artisan shaving brush maker with a multi-decade heritage, producing badger and boar bristle brushes. Closely comparable to Omega in its European heritage positioning, brush-only focus, and emphasis on craftsmanship and tradition in the traditional shaving market.
• Hamilton Brushes: Hamilton is a UK-based paint brush and roller manufacturer with heritage dating to the 19th century, supplying both professional and DIY markets. Comparable to Omega's paint division as a long-established European brush specialist with a similar professional channel and broad applicator product range.
• Purdy: Purdy is a US manufacturer of premium professional paint brushes, rollers, and extension poles, founded in 1925. Comparable to Omega's paint division as a premium-positioned brush maker with a professional painter focus, broad SKU range, and emphasis on quality applicator tools.
• Wooster Brush Company: Wooster is a US-based, 170-year-old manufacturer of paint brushes, rollers, and related painting tools serving professional and DIY markets. Comparable to Omega's paint division in product range, professional channel focus, and emphasis on applicator technology.
• Parker Shaving: Parker is a US-based supplier of wet shaving products including safety razors, brushes, and shaving accessories. Comparable to Omega as a multi-category wet shaving brand offering brushes, razors, and accessories at the premium-but-accessible price tier.

Emerging players

• Proraso: Proraso is an iconic Italian shaving brand (Ludovico Martelli) producing traditional shaving creams, soaps, and aftershaves. Comparable to Omega in the Italian heritage wet shaving segment, with overlapping customer base in traditional wet shaving enthusiasts, though focused on consumables rather than brushes.

Regional players

• W & D Costanzo: W & D Costanzo is an Italian manufacturer of paint brushes based in Italy with a long heritage in the European painting tool market. Comparable to Omega's paint division as a Southern European brush specialist with similar product focus on professional painting applicators.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OmegaBrush
• Facebookfacebook.com/omegabrushshaving
• Instagraminstagram.com/omegabrush
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/omegabrush

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Omega