Founded by Gert van den Brink, Diemmax has evolved from CNC machining to the design of high-performance marine engines and proprietary control systems, with a focus on lightweight engineering, customisation and repowering.
Diemmax was established over twenty years ago from Gert van den Brink’s vision as a company specialising in CNC machining. Initially focused on precision engineering, the business progressively shifted towards the marine sector, responding to growing demand for custom-made components for marine applications.
The experience gained in bespoke production, combined with an increasingly advanced machine park and the founder’s passion for the sea, marked a strategic turning point: the creation of a line of high-performance marine engines.
From marinisation to a fully integrated project
The first step was the marinisation of a BMW six-cylinder engine, selected for its favourable power-to-weight ratio. The project quickly gained market recognition, with a significant number of units sold over the past three years, including installation on a Wally sailing yacht, Spirit of Malouen X.
However, the company’s evolution did not stop at converting automotive engines. For approximately eight years, Diemmax has been working on a more ambitious project: a fully marine-born V12 — not simply a marinised engine, but one designed from the outset for marine applications.
Built using aluminium, steel and carbon fibre, the V12 delivers 600 horsepower with a weight of just 375 kg, positioning it as a distinctive product within its category.
“This is a leisure engine with standard maintenance intervals, not a racing engine,” explains Stefano Cefis, the company’s commercial and technical manager. “All our engines can be paired with any existing transmission system, making them suitable both for repowering projects and for new builds.”
Integration and control: the Vonmax throttles
Alongside propulsion systems, Diemmax has developed a proprietary control system: the Vonmax throttles.
Machined from solid material, expressing structural robustness and build quality, they integrate a sliding display with a lower rotary control allowing management of up to eight relays. This enables, for example, simultaneous control of bow and stern thrusters with inverted commands, facilitating complex manoeuvres such as rotating the vessel on its axis.
In-house development of both hardware and software ensures a high degree of customisation: the throttle can function as a controller for gangways, beach areas or other onboard systems, adapting to the specific requirements of the owner or shipyard.
Advanced craftsmanship and outlook
Advanced craftsmanship remains the common thread of Diemmax’s activity: build quality, structural lightness and strong integration between mechanics and electronics.
The company is also developing new solutions featuring innovative characteristics for the sector, confirming a strategy focused on technological differentiation and high-level customisation.
Angelo Colombo