Brebbia and Savinelli: Masterpieces of Italian Pipe Craftsmanship
Anyone delving into the history of Italian pipe-making will inevitably come across the shared beginnings of Brebbia and Achille Savinelli. In 1947, just a few years after the end of World War II, Enea Buzzi and Achille Savinelli, together with three skilled craftsmen and financial support from Uncle Bernardo, founded a pipe manufacturing company. However, by 1956, the two parted ways due to differing business views, and Savinelli moved production to Molina di Barasso.
From MPB to the Iconic Diamond: The Evolution of Brebbia Pipes
The first Brebbia pipes bore the “MPB” logo (Manifattura Pipe Brebbia), but it soon became clear that the name lacked strong brand recognition. When slow smoking competitions gained popularity in Italy in the late 1960s and later internationally, the logo was changed to “Brebbia” and enhanced with the now characteristic diamond symbol.
Enea Buzzi and his team even participated in slow smoking competitions with their own specially formed team, which significantly increased the brand’s visibility. Meanwhile, the company thrived, and in 1977, Enea’s son Luciano, having completed his architecture degree, joined the factory.
The Development of the Brebbia Brand
With fresh ideas and a focus on the European market, Luciano began revitalizing the export business. During his travels, he observed that pipe smokers increasingly viewed the pipe as a stylish accessory that reflected their personal taste, rather than merely as a smoking tool. His first collection, designed in 1979 specifically for the German market, embraced this trend and was tailored to the growing success of the 9-mm activated charcoal filters.
In the 1980s, Brebbia experienced high demand for their sleek, elegant pipes with 9-mm drilling, which firmly established the brand in Germany.
Brebbia Today: Tradition Meets Modern Design
In 1992, Brebbia opened a large pipe museum, showcasing valuable exhibits from Enea Buzzi’s collection, which can be visited by appointment. Today, its production facilities are among the most traditional in Italy. Brebbia represents unique designs and exceptional smoking quality. Thanks to the factory's geographic location and ideal storage conditions for briarwood, tannins and resins are optimally aged, allowing the pipes to deliver an exceptional flavor experience after just a few uses.
