About Skipper’s Line

Skipper (UK) Ltd, based in Rochester, Kent, was established in 1995 to distribute the premium Italian marine coatings brand Skipper’s Line, manufactured by Aemme Colori, to the UK market. For nearly three decades, Skipper (UK) has supported boatyards, professional applicators, chandlers, and boat owners across the UK with high-performance yacht paints, marine varnishes, antifouling, and complete coating systems designed for demanding marine environments.

Our dedicated UK team brings extensive hands-on experience from all areas of the boatbuilding, refit, and marine maintenance industries. This allows us to offer not just products, but a complete technical and support service, ensuring the right coating system is specified, applied, and maintained for every project.

Working closely with Aemme Colori’s highly skilled technical specialists in Italy, we support customers throughout every stage of the coating process — from new build construction and major refits to ongoing maintenance and restoration.

Aemme Colori – Italian Heritage Since 1947

Aemme Colori was founded in 1947 in Alzano Lombardo, Italy, originally under the name Colorificio Lombardo. The company began manufacturing paints and primers for the decorative coatings and building sectors.

Thanks to strong market acceptance among professional painters and rapidly growing demand, the business soon expanded beyond its original premises. Production was relocated to the nearby city of Bergamo, allowing the company to scale manufacturing while maintaining strict quality standards.

Evolution into Advanced Coatings Manufacturing

In 1975, in response to increasing demand for more technically advanced and specialist coatings, production was relocated once again — this time to Ranica, where the modern Aemme Colori manufacturing facility was established.

While Colorificio Lombardo continued its wholesale and retail operations in Bergamo, Aemme Colori focused exclusively on product innovation and specialist coatings, developing advanced solutions for professional and marine applications. This strategic separation allowed the company to invest heavily in research, production efficiency, and specialist product development.

Innovation, Investment & Quality at the Core

The technological evolution of Aemme Colori has been driven by a long-term strategy of careful expansion and continuous investment. By combining experienced personnel with new technical expertise, the company has maintained a vital balance between innovation and tradition.

Significant investment in advanced manufacturing machinery and production processes has enabled Aemme Colori to achieve:

Flexible and responsive production
Consistent, superior product quality
Competitive performance in specialist coatings markets

These principles remain central to the manufacture of Skipper’s Line yacht paints and varnishes today.

Research, Development & Global Marine Expertise

As demand for specialist marine coatings increased, Aemme Colori significantly strengthened its research and development laboratory. This expansion supports:

New product research and formulation
Rigorous testing and quality control
Targeted technical consulting
Development of project-specific coating solutions tailored to individual customer requirements

This commitment to innovation led to the development and global success of the Skipper’s Line marine coatings range, now exported to many countries worldwide.

To support this growth, Aemme Colori expanded its production capacity further, constructing a new, larger manufacturing facility at the Ranica site, ensuring continued investment in quality, technology, and reliability.

Strengthening Marine Heritage

In 2001, Aemme Colori further strengthened its position in the marine coatings sector through the acquisition of Colorificio Baseggio of Scorzé, Venice — a respected family-run marine coatings manufacturer founded in 1890.

Highly regarded for the quality and performance of its products, Colorificio Baseggio brought additional expertise and heritage to the Aemme Colori group, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in traditional and advanced marine coatings.

Today: Crafted in Italy, Trusted in the UK

Today, Skipper’s Line yacht paints and varnishes represent the combined strengths of Italian craftsmanship, advanced coating technology, and UK-based technical support.

Whether you are building a new yacht, restoring a classic wooden vessel, or maintaining your boat for seasons to come, Skipper (UK) Ltd and Aemme Colori are committed to delivering long-lasting marine protection, exceptional finishes, and expert support — every step of the way.