INTRODUCTION

> PROFURL: The best of PROFURL’s for all our customers

In 1980 PROFURL developed its rst furling system and then quickly became one of the pioneers of this technology, as well as the worldwide market leader. Today, thanks to over 25 years of experience in the reeng-furling market, PROFURL is still considered one of the major market players and manufactures over 5000 systems per year.Whatever your sailing program (cruising, racing, off shore), the size of your boat and your budget you will always nd the appropriate PROFURL product to equip your yacht.Our motto: Deliver the best of PROFURL technology to all our customers.

> PROFURL: a Wichard Group brand

The Wichard Group, a world famous French marine hardware manufacturer, took over PROFURL in 2002. PROFURL is now part of a Group whose ambition is to become the market leader in technical sporting equipment: The other brands are: > Wichard: specialized in marine hardware: blocks, stainless steel products, tiller extensions. > Simond: a dedicated climbing equipment manufacturer. Tests at sea > Each new product is submitted to the sea in the most extreme conditions. > The systems are also tested by marine industry professionals including some of the world’s greatest skippers, sailmakers…

> Process of manufacturing

A rigorous manufacturing process > The raw materials are carefully selected and are part of high level specications, which are planned for extensive use of the systems. > The mechanical parts are machined using a controlled patented process, and using extrusions of the purest metallurgical quality. PROFURL systems are not manufactured from castings which can contain impurities which can cause inherent weaknesses. > Each part is micro-balled for a perfect surface nish and then anodised in a special green-gold process in order to assure the best protection against harsh marine environment. R&D: A high involvement > Our products are rst developed by the R&D department based in Saint Nazaire on the West coast of France. The systems are developed by a team of highly skilled engineers, assisted by the latest computer tools and software. > PROFURL products are the result of a tight collaboration between the R&D team and the world’s riggers, sail makers and sailors. > Each part is submitted to a range of scientic tests in order to test their resistance, beyond what could actually be experienced on a yacht. Use of the latest CAD softwares to design new products. NEC ST spool
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