Monthly News - July 2007

- pic of the month - Marcello Lippi chooses Azimut 62 Evolution

Azimut for Marcello Lippi

Saturday 16 June, at four o’clock in the afternoon, during the first Azimut-Benetti Yachting Gala, the new Azimut 62 Evolution was officially delivered to Marcello Lippi, ex-coach of the Italian National Soccer Team – hosted by lively TV show-woman Simona Ventura. The motoryacht chosen by the World Champion Coach is a 20-meter long boat that combines contemporary elegance and comfort in a unique mixture. Introduced in 2002, the motoryacht has been restyled in 2007 and shown in a world preview at the Düsseldorf Boat Show in January 2007.


Itama Trophy Rally Comes to an End

Passion, power and sporting spirit, these are the keywords that express how the first edition of the Bocche di Bonifacio - Itama Trophy - Rally raced for two days to reach the finishing line on June 30. The event proved to be extremely popular with the public, press and the institutions involved, who were able to enjoy the splendid landscapes and atmospheres of Gallura and Southern Corsica, where the various legs of the car rally took place. In this two-day event, the love for speed, engines and real character was shared and enhanced by the local main sponsor, Piero Bianco’s Bocche di Bonifacio Yachting, the Itama dealer for Sardinia, Piedmont, Lombardy and Liguria. In fact, the Sardinian dealer found in the rally world the same purity and uncontaminated emotion that the Itama style of yachting is famous for. And as such it was the Itama FiftyFive with its classic blue and white colours that distinguished the opening evening, welcoming teams and public to the spectacular scenario of Santa Teresa.

Pershing and Itama Family Party

It’s partytime for Pershing and Itama. Friday July 19 from 6pm until late all the employees and aides of the two Italian companies, plus their families, enjoyed an evening of fun and entertainment in one of Italy’s most important science and technology museums, the Balì Museum in San Martino – Saltara in the Puglia Region. All the guests had complete access to the Museum’s exhibition space, which includes more than 30 interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experiment with natural phenomena for themselves. Thanks to a series of optical illusions, apparent paradoxes, mechanical teasers and tricks of the light, guests soon found that discovering the laws and theories of science can be extremely entertaining. Adults and children also had the chance to visit the Planetarium which seats up to 50 people and the Observatory. Here, with the aid of a reflector telescope, guests were able to observe the night sky while two astronomers recounted the legends linked to the various constellations. Pershing, a company that has always believed in promoting local concerns, has been working together with the Balì Museum for some time now. This is why a year after the Pershing Prime Performance event the fascinating science complex again played host to the constructor of the splendid Pershing and Itama yachts.

Pershing Sea Show comes to an end

The Greek capital was the culmination of its first ever “Sea Show”, the tour organized to present a world preview of the shipyard’s latest creation, the Pershing 72. This initiative is a totally new way of launching a product in the yachting sector. Consisting of four stopovers in various marinas around the Mediterranean, the Sea Show has proved to be a huge success in terms of visitors, visibility and sales, and Pershing can now count on a full order book until the end of 2009. To wind up this original yacht tour, over the weekend of June 28 – 30, more than 250 guests, including owners, journalists and aficionados were invited to admire the 72 footer moored in the waters of the Flivos Marina in Athens. For the occasion, this newly opened and highly prestigious dock was transformed into an open air club. On the evening of June 28 Pershing welcomed its guests there with an “under the stars” dinner and an abundance of good food and music. Tilli Antonelli, the Pershing president, was there in person to play host. During the evening the shipyard’s brand new model was on display for the guests to visit and admire. The two days that followed, on the other hand, were dedicated to sea trials for the press and potential Pershing customers. Athens was therefore the last chapter in this highly successful Sea Show, a truly exceptional tour that began last April and has passed through some of the most picturesque marinas in Croatia, Spain and Italy.


Ferretti Custom Line Advertising Campaign Wins Pubblicita Successo Awards

The Ferretti Custom Line advertising campaign has won at the 18th edition of the Pubblicita & Successo Awards for the category “From Italy To The World”. Selected by the jury of “Pubblico” & “Pubblico Today” two influential magazines and newsletters for the international communication & advertising sector, the Custom Line Campaign won has won for improving and set off the Italian creativity in the international market through a timeless hot that enhances with elegance the concept of cruising aboard a masterpiece, tailored for the owner. The ceremony took place in Milan in the atmosphere of Villa Torretta and was attended by four hundred guests.


Ferretti Yachts, sponsor of the XVIII Ravenna Festival

In the evocative setting of the Marinara amphitheatre, the brand new Tourist Port of Marina di Ravenna, Ferretti Yachts its ship-owners a world-class musical experience: a concert given by Paolo Conte in the prominent Ravenna Festival for the performing arts. The concert of this singer-songwriter from Asti with a repertoire ranging from jazz to South American rhythms, merging with swing represents one of the most eagerly awaited events of the festival and one of the most prestigious opportunities for meeting other ship-owners of the Ferretti Yachts Owner's Club. After the concert, the hundred Ferretti Yachts guest have been invited to an exclusive dinner in an ad hoc venue on the port with a vista of a Ferretti 591 lighted up by special beam of coloured lights and set up with the infotainment systems of Bang & Olufsen. With this collaboration Ferretti Yachts combines passion for the sea and love for music at the highest artistic levels.


Atlantis Gobbi, Sea Luxury and Golf

An original weekend at the Varazze Marina celebrated the combination between two exclusive worlds that are usually separate: the sea and golf. On 5 and 6 May 2007, the first edition of the Mediolanum Sea Challenge was held. The leading characters in the event were Banca Mediolanum's best clients, confronting each other in an enthralling golfing challenge, Hole in 1. In particular, out of the 80 overall guests, 32 amateur players, regularly enrolled in the FIG (Italian Golf Federation) challenged each other in an exciting test of ability: From a tee positioned on the central pier of the piazzetta Esedra of Varazze Marina, they attempted in a single shot to get their ball in the hole, positioned on a 2.5 x 2.5 metre inflatable raft, covered with grass, first from a distance of 45 metres and then, much more difficult, from 137 metres. Up for grabs, a super-prize for an elite target, an Atlantis 35 yacht, the access model to the range. Among the numerous guests that participated, there were also many stars from show business and the sports world, who other than taking part in the competition, also had the opportunity to enjoy the exclusive atmosphere of the Varazze Marina and test the complete range of Atlantis 35, 39, 42, 47, 50 and 55.


Grand Banks Yachts Recognized for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction

The National Marine Manufacturers Association today announced Grand Banks Yachts Ltd. as a recipient of its CSI Recognition Award for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction. According to the NMMA, the company maintained an independently-measured standard of excellence in customer satisfaction of 90 percent or higher, based on information provided by consumers purchasing a new Grand Banks between July 2006 and June 2007. The award recognizes Grand Banks Yachts in the Inboard Express Cruiser Boats category, which accounts for every model in the company’s lineup. Grand Banks qualified for award consideration when it enrolled in the Marine Industry CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) Program, implementing rigorous and ongoing measurement of satisfaction among its customers.


Riva Learning Tradition and Innovation

Today is the first school day for the 15 boys selected to be part of the brand new “Serafino Riva” Training School. Ferruccio Rossi, Riva CEO, and Francesco Frediani, VP Sales & Marketing, personally gave the starting signal to the first step of the 290 hours course that will take place in classes made out of former offices in the historic headquarters in Sarnico. The aim is to introduce the boys to the pleasure boating field and to the theoretical and practical aspects of Riva reality. The 15 selected, boys who have just got their degree in professional high schools or who have already experienced some jobs, will receive expressly realized work clothing. Until October 12th they will attend theoretical and practical classes hold by external educators from CISITA and by internal teachers, among which employees and chiefs of different departments at Riva. In this way the students will have the chance to learn the necessary competences and to directly practice them in the field. At the end of the training course, the students who will pass it will be employed by Riva with a provisional contract and a second edition for 15 more graduated will begin just after the first series of lessons.


Riva Trophy France

The exclusive panorama of the Côte d'Azur was the setting for the Riva Trophy Monaco - St. Tropez from 5th to 7th July 2007. Now in its second year, this event is already considered an appointment for the Riva family that owners of the brand simply cannot miss. The success of last year’s event proved the uniqueness of Riva Trophy France, making it an occasion the enthusiasts of the Riva world simply had to attend. Indeed, the majority of those who had the opportunity to enjoy the winning formula of last year’s event where at Riva Trophy 2007, too, in which an amazing 20 yachts took part, 10 of which of the current production. The yachts, together with the pleasure of cruising, were the real protagonists of three intense days in which a number of sports competitions alternated with pleasant moments in which guests met up to enjoy themselves, toasting the occasion with a glass of Veuve Clicquot. A welcome cocktail at the Yacht Club de Monaco marked the opening of the event which, the following day, moved to the elegant beaches of St. Tropez. A long morning cruise, during which the Reliability Race was held, took owners to the Plage des Jumeaux, where they were able to relax and have fun in the sun. As last year, in fact, Riva Trophy Monaco - St. Tropez provided an opportunity to reaffirm the brand’s bond with art, promoting the works of young, emerging artists, produced on the “Riva” theme. Guests were called on to consider the works, and express their preference. St. Tropez welcomed participants the following morning, too, when they had the opportunity to test drive the new models TT Roadster, TT Coupé and R8 put at their disposal by Audi, Riva’s partner on this occasion, together with Credit Suisse and Starwood’s Luxury Collection. In the afternoon, the yachts returned to the Principality, where the event came to a close with a cocktail with Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame and a gala dinner at the Yacht Club, during which the winners of the different competitions were awarded their prizes. The winner of the Trophy received the work of art elected last year as a prize.


Sunseeker workforce tops 2000

Sunseeker International is celebrating the recruitment of its 2,000th member of staff following the recent appointment of skilled deck fitter Graham Perryman (48) at the company’s shipyard in Poole, Dorset. Sunseeker’s on-going recruitment programme and continued planned expansion in Dorset further reinforces the company’s position as one of the region’s largest employer and world’s largest privately-owned yacht builder. A champagne celebration to mark this was held by the company’s operations director Wayne Moore on behalf of founder and managing director Robert Braithwaite. Also present was new recruit Graham Perryman from Swanage, and Dennis Barnes one of the company’s longest-serving employees. Dennis joined as an apprentice in May 1978 over 29 years ago and is now site production manager at Willis Way, one of the company’s 7 shipyards in Poole.


Sessa Marine Moulding Site Catches Fire

A fire that broke out at Sessa Marine's moulding unit has not altered production schedules. No one was seriously hurt in the fire but three employees suffered smoke inhalation and were treated in hospital. Fire fighters were called to the firm's yard in Cividate al Piano at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 27 June. The fire started at the Number 1 unit for moulding, where boats between 25ft and 30ft are manufactured. The moulds and equipment have been transferred into different areas to continue operation.


Riviera sales boom for new releases

Australian cruiser manufacturer Riviera has revealed that it has taken orders for 11 Riviera 45s since the boat made its world premiere at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show in May this year, as well as 17 Riviera 41s since its launch in March. Sales of the two new models have amounted to nearly AUS$25 million, says Riviera.


Bavaria bought for €1.3 billion

The London-based Financial Times newspaper today reported the financial details behind yesterday's announcement by Bain Capital that it had acquired Germany-based Bavaria Yachtbau. According to the FT, Bain paid as much as €1.3 billion (US$1.8 billion, £896 million) for the sailboat and motorboat manufacturer. The announcement of Bavaria's sale comes after nearly five months of speculation about the outcome of the bidding process, which is believed to have involved as many as 15 potential suitors, including a number of potential industry purchasers. However, private equity firms involved in the deal speculated early on that the deal would be far too rich to stomach for trade buyers. Rumours about the prospective sale of the industry's highest volume producer of a single brand began to circulate in the boating and financial press coincident with the Düsseldorf Boat Show in February.


Sarnico acquires Giacomo Colombo

Italian boatbuilder Cantieri di Sarnico has reached an agreement to acquire the Giacomo Colombo shipyard in Menaggio, Italy, for an undisclosed sum. Founded by Giacomo Colombo himself in 1956, the company, which is based on the shores of Lake Como, initially served as a dealer for Riva boats and later moved on to develop its own line of fibreglass motorboats from 25ft to 44ft in length. Today the company has an annual production of around 40 boats per year, and employs a staff of 35 at two facilities in Menaggio and Bene Lario. Cantieri di Sarnico, which was founded in 1992 on the shores of Lake Iseo, builds open and hardtop powercruisers from 40ft to 65ft at a 10,000sq m shipyard in Capriolo. By the end of 2005, total production reached almost 250 units. According to a company statement, Giacomo Colombo will remain with the company for the next few years to ensure the continuity of the company's tradition for style and quality.

Sarnico makes key appointment

Cantieri di Sarnico has announced the appointment of Cristina Volpi as sales and marketing manager of the company. Volpi, who worked for the Italian company for more than 12 years, was previously in charge of communications as well as public and business relations.


Canados Enter a New Era

Canados, the long established Roman shipyard, announces that the European Private Equity Fund Balmoral Capital has acquired control of the company. The acquisition is in line with the fund's investment strategy to acquire companies with strong growth potential. To pursue its strategic objectives, Balmoral Capital has appointed Maurizio Baldoni as the new CEO and partner of the company.

Canados Wins 2007 edition of Showboats International Awards

The Canados 90 Open, after winning the Millenium Yacht Design Award 2007 as best yacht over24 metres, conquers with it’s interior original design the jury of Showboats International Awards winning the prize as best yacht in the category "Semi-Custom Motor Yacht Interior". The prize of the competition, now in it’s 18th edition, was held in 21 June in Monaco, during the annual rendezvous of the americam magazine Showboats International. Receiving the prize was Canados CEO Maurizion Baldoni and Portughese architect Luiz De Basto, who the project for the 90 Open, working in close contact with technical department of the yard.