Monthly News - November 2007

- pic of the month - Alicante Doma & Porsche

Alicante Doma and Porsche all about Passion

With such a suggestive title, last 26 to 28th of October, was celebrated in Marina Alicante an exclusive presentation of Doma and Porsche. This event had a great attendance with a selective participation of clients, press and recognized personalities of the business and culture ambit of the east of Spain. Astilleros de Alicante presented Doma 3 Avante, just before its first worldwide appearance at the Barcelona International Boat Show. This new model of Doma showed its spectacular design and its improvements in the interior functionality. Likewise one brand new unit of Doma 5 was also presented, a model with an attractive interior and exterior re-styling. Porsche, represented by Centro Porsche Alicante, showed the complete range of their selective range and a spectacular unit of the limited edition Carrera GT. Furthermore, three additional models, 911 4S, Cayman S and Cayenne S, were ready for an exciting driving test around the city of Alicante. This relationship between these two prestigious brands has been inspired by the shared passion in producing an exclusive product where the highest quality and the care on every detail are combined with a purely sport touch. This has not being an isolated experience and actually the next event is currently being studied, a signal of the great success of this first appointment.


Azimut Capture the Dream

A press conference was held at the Yacht Club Milano to present a new advertising campaign for Azimut Yachts, by JWT Italia. The new campaign comprises two corporate and 20 product ads and has been on air since the beginning of October in ten countries, notably including, outside Europe, the USA, India and China. It will be extended to a total of 30 countries by the end of this year. The “Capture the Dream” campaign is designed to arouse the instinct and reasoning of Azimut’s target – a mindset that is a complex weave of realism and imaginativeness.

Azimut Enviromental Policy

Azimut has defined an Environment Policy which represents the guidelines that intends to follow. This policy must represent a boost to promote a sustainable industrial development through the management of production cycles, on the basis of advanced environment protection criteria.


Fulvio Dodich Leaves Ferretti Group

Fulvio Dodich, currently in charge of Ferretti Yachts, Mochi Craft and Custom Line, has decided to leave Ferretti Group in order to follow a different professional career path outside the company. Ferretti Group C.E.O. Vincenzo Cannatelli will immediately take temporary charge as Manager of the Ferretti Yachts, Mochi Craft and Custom Line brands. The members of the Board of Directors wish to thank Fulvio Dodich, who will leave his position as of today, on behalf of Ferretti Group for the efficient, invaluable work he has carried out during over eleven years activity in the Group and the very best of luck for his future success.


Ferretti Yachts and Alcantara Important Co-branding Action

As expression of the most exclusive and sophisticated "made in Italy", Ferretti Yachts will be present in the current issue of "Panorama", "Espresso" and the German magazine "Stern" through "A'bout", a publication created for the most important activities of Alcantara, partner for the realization of the interior decoration of our yachts. The main objective of "A'bout" is to celebrate both the exceptionality of a material with extraordinary features and the partners that choose Alcantara to enrich their creations.The fifth issue of "A'bout" focuses on three subjects: Design & Comfort - with Ferretti Yachts, Elegance&Performance - with Porsche and Audi and Moda&Glamour with Canali. This communication action will reach more than 2.450.000 qualified contacts in Italy and Germany and will contribute towards improving the awareness of Ferretti Yachts and the brand reputation & consideration.


Grand Banks on Wave of Strong Sales

Grand Banks Yachts ends the 2007 season riding a strong wave of sales that has helped the company fill the production schedule for its 2008 models, and launch the 2009 model year with a solid start. The news follows several consecutive years of record sales for Grand Banks.


Hatteras reports on Fort Lauderdale Boat Show

Hatteras Yachts enjoyed a solid Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show despite the potential effect on buyers’ enthusiasm from continuing high fuel prices, a slow economy, threatening storms and reduced foot traffic. Thanks to a strong international market, the debut of the new 72 Motor Yacht, and the continuing success of its proven line of sports fishing convertibles, Hatteras secured a significant increase in retail sales and stock orders from its authorized dealer network. This combination of retail and stock orders represented the second most units sold at a Ft. Lauderdale show in more than 15 years, and the highest retail value over that same time frame.


Horizon Demand Require A-Tech Expansion

Atech Composites, a professional FRP parts manufacturer of Horizon Group, is trying to cope with the increase in demand from each shipyard while only limited storage areas are available for the completed hulls and parts to remain before their delivery dates. Felix Lee, the production manager of Atech, points out that there is not sufficient space for storing the parts. Felix mentioned that Research and Development on improving the production procedure in order to shorten production time is becoming essential to meet the rapidly increasing demand.


Riviera Improves Manufacturing Process

Australia’s largest luxury boat builder, Riviera, has embarked on a $6.35 million expansion program at its Coomera headquarters, adding approximately 3,640 square metres of additional factory space. The total factory floor space of the Riviera manufacturing facility will then be more than 40,000 square metres, the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. The works currently underway involve the expansion of the lamination facilities, providing an additional 2,190 square metres and also the construction of a new after-market service centre on a waterfront site to the south of the existing Riviera buildings. The new waterfront building, with 1,450 square metres of floor space, will offer boat owners a full on-site customisation, servicing, refurbishing and maintenance service. The after market and service centre will include a 75-tonne mobile boat hoist capable of handling vessels up to 6.5 metres in beam and around 26 metres (approximately 85 feet) in length.

Riviera new Director of Sales in Europe

Dave M. Taylor has joined Riviera Yachts of the Americas as Director of Sales for Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME). Dave Taylor most recently was Director of Sales and Marketing for Luhrs Sportfishing boats worldwide and prior to that directed the sales and marketing efforts for Wellcraft Marine in America. Prior to that, he was with Detroit Diesel, Yamaha and Evinrude in marketing and dealer development. He has been in the marine industry since 1972. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, the University of Michigan Business School (Executive Management) and Texas A & M University (Management Development and Equipment Distributors). Riviera Yachts of the Americas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Riviera, Australia’s largest luxury boat builder. The company is one of the most active yacht builders in the world, introducing a new boat about every 90 days.

Sunseeker Signs Contract for Sea-Fire Systems

Sea-Fire Europe, a recognized leader in fire suppression technology, has signed a new, 3-year contract with Sunseeker International. Sea-Fire managing director Ernie Ellis made the announcement. Sea-Fire fire suppression, shutdown and alarm systems will be standard on all Sunseeker builds. New Sea-Fire monitoring equipment, featuring FireStop technology, will be fitted on larger craft. Approved and listed by agencies worldwide, Sea-Fire products allow Sunseeker's yachts to comply with fire suppression regulations internationally. Providing peace of mind, Sea-Fire supplies FM-200 engineered and pre-engineered fire suppression systems and accessories. Fast and effective, FM-200 is safe for people and environmentally responsible.


Tecnomar Expands

Demonstration of the great expansion happening for Tecnomar Yachts, following the request of more but also bigger boats and having the desire to effect a full production cycle in one single yard, Paolo and Faliero Sarti have managed to agree in an expansion plan in Farmoplant Zone next to the current yard. The works have already started and will add 3000 squared metres to the existent establishment in the first quarter of 2008. The new structure will be added to the existent structure and will transfer to Massa the interior yacht assembly, leaving to the Viareggio yard only the finishing completion touches to the Yachts.


Viking Wins 27th Annual Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament

Days before the start of the tournament, Hurricane Kiko was headed towards Los Cabos. Fortunately, the storm changed path but not before churning up the water and bringing plenty of fish. Captain Mike Powell, on board the Viking 53 Missing Lenk, clinched the title of Second Place Boat thanks to a 591 pound blue marlin. Missing Lenk also took Second Place Top Captain. Over 150 teams released more than 200 billfish.