Our History
Saima was founded in Arezzo in 1977. Originally a manufacturer of agricultural machinery, it shifted its focus to two new products: paint booths for car bodies and anti-robbery booths for banks. In 1987, the company underwent a radical transformation and split into three divisions: SAIMA Agricola S.r.l. for agricultural machinery, SAIMA Meccanica S.p.A. for paint booths, and SAIMA Sicurezza S.p.A., focused on anti-robbery access systems for banks.
The Early Years
SAIMA was founded in Arezzo in 1977 as a manufacturer of soil preparation machinery. In 1981, after years of crisis in the agricultural sector, SAIMA decided to expand into two new sectors: paint booths for auto body shops and anti-robbery booths for banks. Following the success of both ventures, SAIMA split into two companies: SAIMA Meccanica and SAIMA Sicurezza.
The Turning Point
In 1982, Saima created a prototype of the first access control booth equipped with a metal detector. Although these security devices quickly established themselves as market leaders, banks still needed security guards to manually operate the booths.
To completely eliminate the use of security guards and reduce costs for banks, Saima Sicurezza has ingeniously devised an even better engineering solution: the automatic security booth. If a person enters the booth with any metal object, access to the bank is automatically blocked until the user deposits it in a locker.
Worldwide Recognition
Due to the high demand for self-operated booths, SAIMA Sicurezza needed to reorganize and transform itself to meet the needs of its customers in Italy and abroad. The international sales network currently consists of distributors, affiliates, and representatives in France, Austria, Germany, the U.S.A., South America, and Taiwan.
SAIMA Sicurezza is also particularly proud of its Technical Assistance service.
For years, the company has been committed to organizing regular refresher courses for technicians and operators at its headquarters. Technical support is an essential part of SAIMA products and partly explains their worldwide success.
Generational Change
Different personalities and faces, a single generational change that occurred very naturally. A handover that continues to bear fruit. Today, much has changed: there are new strategies, new dynamics, new skills, new production…. There is, however, no fear of confrontation, even within the complexity of a difficult moment for the business world as a whole. And it’s not simply a matter of “reaching an agreement,” but of “doing business,” in the wake of effective and complementary synergies. Indeed, it is precisely by starting from the differences that the objectives become more deeply shared. For this reason, Gabriele, Emiliano, Federico, and Vincenzo have taken up the gauntlet of being – today – entrepreneurs. And they are relaunching, with ever-new projects but “old” values, with an eye to the future and respect for the past. For Saima, four actually means… one. Just as the goal is one: to improve. Just as the story of Saima is one, yet to be written. Just as the passion of four second-generation entrepreneurs is one. Which could be even better than the first.
After-sales service
SAIMA Sicurezza is also particularly proud of its Technical Assistance service. For years, the company has been committed to organizing regular refresher courses for technicians and operators at its headquarters. Technical support is an essential part of SAIMA products and partly explains their worldwide success.
