1961–1970: THE ROOTS OF AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY

The history of OMSI began in 1961, during a period of strong economic growth in post-war Italy. The so-called “economic miracle” was transforming the country: factories were expanding, cities were growing, and a new middle class was discovering prosperity and consumer culture. In this dynamic context, three entrepreneurial partners decided to found a company in the industrial area of Zola Predosa, a municipality in the outskirts of Bologna that was becoming one of the beating hearts of Emilia’s industrial landscape.

The name OMSI is an acronym for “Officina Meccanica Stampaggio Iniezione,” a designation that already says it all: the company was founded as a specialist in plastic injection molding, a technology that at the time was still relatively new in Italy but had already established itself as revolutionary for mass industrial production.

In its earliest years, production was diversified and primarily oriented toward the domestic Italian market. One of the three partners had gained significant experience in Argentina, where the market for plastic seating was already more developed: this international influence led OMSI from the very beginning to look beyond national borders, importing models and ideas that it would later reinterpret through its own manufacturing expertise.

In 1967, the purchase of the first manual injection molding machine marked a decisive turning point: from that moment on, production increasingly shifted toward plastic seating. The first mold produced entirely in-house was a polypropylene seat with metal legs, called D5, which was launched on the market under the PRO.INCO brand (industrial commercial production) following the acquisition of the first GBF2000 automatic press.

1970–1989: GROWTH, DIVERSIFICATION AND GARDEN FURNITURE

The 1970s brought strong business expansion. Demand for plastic products grew rapidly across all sectors, and OMSI responded by broadening its production range. The decision to build a new, modern plant in the industrial area of Zola Predosa—where the company was permanently relocated in August 1972—was the most tangible sign of this growth.

The new facility made it possible to invest in increasingly powerful and precise machinery: injection molding presses reached capacities of up to 1,500 tons, enabling the production of larger and more complex parts. The number of employees gradually increased, and production became more diversified: OMSI no longer produced only seating, but also manufactured molds and a wide range of plastic items, both in-house and on behalf of third parties, serving a diverse customer base.

1980 marked another key milestone: the creation of a line of plastic products for garden furniture. These were high-end, highly innovative products for their time: until then, outdoor furniture had been predominantly made of wood, with all the maintenance issues this entailed (periodic repainting, risk of rot, and heavy weight). OMSI’s polypropylene chairs and tables offered resistance to weather conditions, lightness, easy cleaning, and long-lasting durability—features that were immediately well received by the market.

The 1980s saw OMSI strengthen its position as a leading manufacturer of outdoor furniture, but its horizon was already shifting toward a sector that would forever change the company’s history: that of sports facilities.

1990–2001: ITALY ’90 AND THE BIRTH OF THE CORE SPORTS BUSINESS

The most important football season in Italy’s history—the 1990 World Cup—became for OMSI a springboard into what would become its main market. As the event approached, Italian stadiums were modernized and renovated to meet FIFA standards, and concrete stands were equipped with individual fire-resistant seats.

OMSI responded to this opportunity with entrepreneurial intelligence: the M90 and M92 models were created, the first OMSI seats specifically designed for sports facilities. Durable, ergonomic, and available in any color to create mosaics and chromatic patterns in the stands, the M90 and M92 were installed in historic stadiums such as the Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna, the Tardini in Parma, and the Sant’Elia in Cagliari.

The success of Italia ’90 proved to be a revelation: the sports facilities sector became OMSI’s core business. From that moment on, investment, research, and development were focused almost entirely on seating for stadiums, indoor arenas, sports halls, and auditoriums. The company acquired specialized engineering expertise, developed new molds and models, and built relationships with major sports clubs and international federations.

In the second half of the 1990s, OMSI was already a recognized name in the sports seating industry. Its products were designed in accordance with FIFA, UEFA, and FIBA standards—a fundamental prerequisite for operating in major international markets. The commercial network gradually expanded beyond Italy’s borders, with the first major contracts in Europe and beyond.

2002: ENTRY INTO THE TWINS GROUP — A GLOBAL TURNING POINT

2002 was a landmark year in OMSI’s history: the Bologna-based company became part of the TWINS Group, the world leader in the production of plastic seating components, with a presence across five continents. This transaction was not simply a change of ownership; it marked the definitive projection of OMSI onto the global stage.

The integration into the TWINS Group opened doors for OMSI that had previously been inaccessible: high-profile international contracts, access to extensive distribution networks in every corner of the world, and production and technological synergies with leading partner companies. At the same time, OMSI preserved its Italian identity: design, manufacturing quality, and attention to customer service remained distinctive and unmistakable features.

In the early years following its entry into the group, OMSI consolidated its presence in Europe and began a systematic expansion into the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America—regions that would go on to become key players in major projects in the following decades. The guiding principle was “glocal”: thinking globally while maintaining Italian sensitivity and craftsmanship.

THE ERA OF INNOVATION: DESIGN, SUSTAINABILITY AND PININFARINA

If there is a common thread running through OMSI’s entire history, it is the relentless pursuit of innovation—technological, aesthetic, and environmental. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, this drive materialized in a series of initiatives that placed the company at the forefront of the industry.

The collaboration with Pininfarina

Among the most prestigious chapters in OMSI’s recent history is the collaboration with Pininfarina, the legendary Turin-based design studio renowned worldwide for shaping some of the most beautiful Italian automobiles. This partnership led to the creation of the “Leonardo” and “Caravaggio” seating lines, which represent the perfect synthesis of sporting functionality and aesthetic refinement.

Caravaggio is a tip-up seat for stadiums and sports facilities with a modern, elegant design: simple yet refined lines, a seat and backrest made of high-quality polypropylene, and a load-bearing structure in polyamide. Available with armrests and padding, it complies with FIFA, UEFA, CAF regulations and is FIBA approved. The name of the famous Italian Baroque painter is not accidental: it evokes beauty, technical mastery, and a deep connection with Italian cultural identity.

Leonardo, in its Gold and Silver versions, is an armchair with a unique design, characterized by modern and elegant lines and welcoming, harmonious curves. It represents the perfect combination of comfort and luxury, delivering the highest level of quality and durability, making it ideal for installation in the most prestigious areas of a sports facility.

The collaboration with Pininfarina is a powerful statement: OMSI does not produce simple stadium seats, but design objects that help define the aesthetics and atmosphere of sports facilities around the world.

The commitment to environmental sustainability

In an era in which sustainability has become a strategic imperative for every responsible company, OMSI has distinguished itself as a pioneer in the practical application of the principles of the circular economy to the sports facilities sector.

The program for the collection and recycling of used seats is one of the most distinctive elements of OMSI’s offering. The company provides the option of taking charge of the removal of seats at the end of their useful life, sending them through a recycling process: washing, separation of materials according to their nature and technical quality, and transformation into new raw material. The result is remarkable: this process enables a 43.7% reduction in the extraction of raw materials from the environment.

OMSI’s environmental commitment goes beyond simple recycling. The company is in fact the first in the world to have obtained the EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) certification for its M2020 sports seat. The EPD certification transparently and verifiably documents the environmental impact of its products throughout their entire life cycle. In addition, OMSI uses copolymer polypropylene derived from separate waste collection and/or industrial sources, certified as “Plastica Seconda Vita”, enabling the production of seats with a significantly more favorable environmental profile compared to traditional products.

The M2025 seat—the latest model developed to comply with the new FIFA 2030 criteria—embodies this philosophy: it can be produced using certified recycled materials, features a 46 cm width to ensure greater spectator comfort, and fully aligns with OMSI’s sustainability strategy. As the company’s team has stated, M2025 is not just a furnishing component: it is a step toward a greener and more responsible future.

THE MAJOR PROJECTS: STADIUMS AND ARENAS THAT MADE HISTORY

In 65 years of activity, OMSI seats have found their place in some of the most iconic and prestigious sports facilities in the world. Revisiting these projects means reliving some of the most thrilling chapters of international sport: stadium stands silent before the roar of a goal, indoor arenas vibrating during a championship final, and multi-purpose venues hosting concerts, cultural events, and competitions across every discipline.

Italian stadiums: from the Dall’Ara to the Olimpico

The Renato Dall’Ara Stadium in Bologna—the hometown stadium of OMSI—was among the first to feature the company’s seating. For the 1990 World Cup, the stands were completely renovated using the M90 models. In the following years, the stadium underwent further upgrades: in 2024, in preparation for Bologna FC’s Champions League matches, OMSI contributed to a major refurbishment of the facility to meet UEFA standards.

In Genoa, the legendary Luigi Ferraris Stadium—one of the oldest in Italy and the shared home of Genoa and Sampdoria—was equipped with OMSI seating during several redevelopment projects. In Reggio Calabria, the Oreste Granillo Stadium saw OMSI play a leading role in a major renovation: first with the replacement of 8,600 monocoque seats in the east stand, and later with further upgrades following Reggina’s promotion to Serie B.

Among the most recent and significant projects in Italy are the modernization of Atalanta’s Curva Sud Morosini and the renovation of the Stadio Comunale G. Sinigaglia in Como, as well as work at the Stadio Penzo in Venice, the Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste, the Viola Park training center of Fiorentina, the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, the Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli, the Unipol Domus in Cagliari, and many others.

Europe and the World: from Lugano to Casablanca

OMSI’s international expansion has brought its seating solutions to all five continents. In Europe, among the most recent projects are the Cornèr Arena in Lugano—a modern ice hockey arena hosting the local team’s matches—and the Palacio de Deportes in Cartagena, Spain.

In the Mediterranean basin, the African continent has become one of OMSI’s key markets. In Morocco, the company has been involved in the Grand Stade de Tanger and the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, where approximately 17,000 new seats were installed. However, the most ambitious Moroccan project is the recent contract for the complete renovation of the Grand Stade de Tanger in preparation for the 2030 World Cup: 74,000 seats in total, including around 9,000 VVIP, VIP, and hospitality seats, for a total value of over 12 million euros.

In the United Arab Emirates, OMSI has supplied seating for Sharjah Stadium and Ittihad Kalba Stadium. In Saudi Arabia, the Al Fateh Stadium and Al Ettifaq Stadium facilities bear the Bologna-based company’s signature. And beyond that—the Americas, Asia, and Oceania: it is hard to find a continent where the seats from Zola Predosa have not left their mark.

OMSI TODAY: FIGURES, VALUES AND VISION TOWARDS 2026

At its 65-year milestone, OMSI stands as a solid company, focused on the future, with a clear and distinctive value proposition. Let us look at the pillars on which today’s success is built and the drivers that fuel tomorrow’s growth.

Made in Italy manufacturing excellence

Every OMSI seat is designed and manufactured in Italy, at the plants in Zola Predosa (Bologna) and Vestone (Brescia). This choice—far from obvious in an era of global delocalization—is a value-based decision as much as a production one. Italian manufacturing ensures extremely high quality standards, direct control over every stage of the process, fast response times, and flexibility in customization.

The production process uses modern, state-of-the-art machinery, including both injection and blow molding technologies. Highly specialized staff are able to produce thousands of pieces per day while maintaining consistently high quality standards. Mechanical strength tests—carried out on every production batch—ensure that OMSI seats can withstand the most intensive usage conditions for decades.

The raw materials used are exclusively of high quality, certified ISO 9001:2015, and sourced from selected and verified suppliers. This strict approach to selecting production inputs is directly reflected in the durability and reliability of the finished product.

Full Optional Service: from design to installation

One of the features that sets OMSI apart from its competitors is its ability to offer a complete service, from initial consultancy to turnkey delivery and installation. This “full optional” approach, which includes 3D design, mold making, production, transportation, and installation, allows clients to rely on a single point of contact for the entire project.

The OMSI team includes professionals with solid engineering expertise, capable of developing tailor-made solutions even for architecturally complex situations: older stands, seating areas with non-standard dimensions, and facilities subject to special regulations. The ability to adapt products to each client’s specific requirements—without ever compromising on quality—is one of the key factors behind the company’s success.

A global network, a local soul

With a commercial and service network spanning five continents, OMSI ensures direct support to its clients wherever they are located. This is particularly important in the sports facilities sector, where maintenance, component replacement, and product upgrades require timely and highly skilled interventions.

Although operating on a global scale, OMSI remains firmly rooted in Bologna: Zola Predosa is not just the company’s headquarters, but the place where strategic decisions are made, where new products are developed, and where the people who make OMSI what it is today are trained and grow.

LOOKING AHEAD: OMSI’S VISION FOR THE COMING YEARS

Sixty-five years of history teach that it is never time to rest on one’s laurels. OMSI looks to the future with the same ambition and innovative spirit that have defined its past. Three strategic directions will guide the company’s path in the coming years.

Sustainability as a strategic value

The transition toward a fully circular production model is at the heart of OMSI’s strategic agenda. The goal is ambitious: to become the world’s most environmentally responsible manufacturer of seating for sports facilities. The tools to achieve this are already in place: EPD certification, the use of certified recycled materials, and the program for the collection and recycling of used seats.

In the coming years, OMSI aims to progressively increase the share of recycled raw materials used in its products, working in close collaboration with certified suppliers and institutions committed to promoting the circular economy. The ultimate goal is a product that, at the end of its useful life, can be fully recovered and transformed into new raw material for a new seat: a virtuous and endless cycle. All of this is documented in OMSI’s Sustainability Report, providing concrete evidence of the company’s commitment to sustainability.

Product innovation and design

The launch of the M2025 seat, the new monocoque compliant with FIFA 2030 standards, is only the latest in a long series of product developments that OMSI will continue to pursue in the coming years. The trends driving innovation are clear: greater spectator comfort (with wider, more ergonomic and customizable seats), increased technological integration (with the possibility of incorporating digital elements into seating), and greater attention to the aesthetics of sports facilities.

Collaboration with world-renowned design studios, the most notable of which is Pininfarina, is set to continue and intensify. The goal is to create products that are not merely functional, but that help define the visual identity and personality of the world’s most iconic sports facilities.

Expansion into emerging markets

The growth in investment in sports infrastructure across emerging markets—Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia—represents an extraordinary opportunity for OMSI. The Grand Stade de Tanger project for the 2030 World Cup is emblematic: it is not just a single contract, but a strategic positioning in a region that will see the development of dozens of new facilities in the coming years.

OMSI is well positioned to seize these opportunities: its international reputation, its ability to manage complex projects in diverse contexts, and its network of agents and partners across five continents are extraordinary assets in markets where supplier credibility is often the decisive factor.

LE PERSONE AL CENTRO DI TUTTO

A company is not made of products, turnover, or certifications: it is made of people.
OMSI’s 65 years are, above all, the story of the people who believed in this project, built it day after day, and carried it across the world.

Thanks to the founders, who in 1961 had the courage and vision to invest in a new technology in a small town in the Emilia plain. Thanks to the employees of the past and present, to the technicians and workers who every day, in the Zola Predosa plant, give shape to Italian manufacturing know-how and pride. Thanks to the customers—sports clubs, public institutions, ministries, schools, and arenas—who have chosen OMSI as a reliable partner for their projects, often in places and cultures far from Italy.

Thanks to our commercial partners, agents, and distributors who carry OMSI’s message around the world. Thanks to the international federations—FIFA, UEFA, FIBA—which, through their certifications, have recognized the quality of our products. And finally, thanks to those who read this: fans, engineers, designers, journalists, and sports enthusiasts who share with us a passion for sports facilities as places of community, emotion, and beauty.

THE FUTURE STARTS NOW

Sixty-five years of history would already be an extraordinary reason for celebration. But what truly makes this anniversary special is not looking back, but looking forward with the same energy, ambition, and confidence that inspired those who, in 1961, installed the first molding machine in a factory in Zola Predosa.

The world of sport has changed enormously over the past six and a half decades. Today’s stadiums are entertainment cathedrals, equipped with sophisticated technologies, very high comfort standards, and an increasingly significant urban and cultural impact. Seats—those seemingly simple objects that welcome millions of spectators every year—have become fundamental components of the stadium experience, capable of influencing a club’s visual identity, the well-being of fans, and even the acoustics of the venue.

OMSI has grown alongside this world, helping to define its standards and expectations. And it will continue to do so, with the same dedication and passion, enriched by 65 years of experience, a portfolio of iconic projects spanning five continents, and a sustainable and innovative vision of the future.

The next stadium to host OMSI seating could be anywhere in the world: Los Angeles, Nairobi, Jakarta, or Mexico City. But it will be made with the hands and heart of Zola Predosa and will proudly carry the Made in Italy mark.

For your stadium or sports arena, request a consultation now!