Monthly News - February 2008

- pic of the month - Ferretti 40 Anniversary

Aicon Adds Two New Executives

Aicon, an Italian Group based in Messina specializing in the design, construction and sale of luxury motoryachts and megayachts, would like to announce the presence of two new managers on its team: Fabrizio Pisciotta, Sales Director for the EMEA and ASIA-PACIFIC areas of Aicon S.p.A. and CEO of Aicon Yacht Europe Srl and Anton Andrea Speciale, CEO of Aicon Yachts Americas LLC.


Azimut Shows 10% Growth In Miami

The Italian company confirms its leadership with orders for over $50 million in just five days at the Boat Show. The Miami Boat Show, was another big success for Azimut Yachts, the world-leading luxury yacht company. It was the 25th straight year that the Italian yacht builder was present at this important international event. At a time when the American yacht market is suffering a 3 percent contraction in the reference segment for Azimut Yachts, i.e. from 40’ to 80’ (lengths of 12-24m), the Italian company shows 10 percent growth. Azimut Yachts exhibited 12 boats in Miami, from the smallest Azimut, the 43Plus, presented here in world preview, to the company’s flagship, the Azimut 116. “Vivere”, the 35m megayacht built in the Viareggio yard to the exacting and detailed specifications dictated by the demanding and knowledgeable owner, was launched a few months ago in Manhattan beneath the Statue of Liberty.


Bruno Abbate Primatist First 2008 Quarter Success

Bruno Abbate Primatist is consolidating is prime position in the international market, thanks to an excellent strategy that is showing itself the much desired successful results. The first 2008 quarter, in fact shows a + 35% for the boats ordered and a +37% respect to the same period for 2007. Important economic data reflecting the values that the new Arbatax site is having, now delivering its first finished boats for the prestigious brand. The Arbatax plant now offers Bruno Abbate the possibility to do the whole production cycle in a single area of 45.000 squared meters and a structure of 15.000, featuring latest high technology and quality equipment in order to give the best product available in the market.


Canados Announces New CEO

Canados, the Italian luxury motor yacht manufacturer and shipyard based in Ostia, Rome, is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Pagnoni as the new Chief Executive Officer of the company. He will be responsible for continuing the strategy of growing the company and the brand, both domestically and internationally. Daniel Pagnoni, 46 is an Italian national with a cosmopolitan background, who was most recently Senior Vice President and Global Category Officer, in Reckitt Benckiser, with operations in over 60 countries and market capitalization of approx. US $ 40 billion. He previously worked for Procter & Gamble and has a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from Louisiana State University, USA.


Cerri Cantieri Navali New Building Yard

This young but very prolific builder completes its new yard the coming April after a year of hard work. The new space will have double building capacity compared to what it is at the moment, with space for up to 6 constructions together, divided for three 86 models, two for the upcoming 102 FlyingSport model and an area for a single build of 120feet, showing the future ambitions for Cerri. The new Cerri shipyard area will also have a new offices area, small hotel featuring 3 luxury fully fitted rooms for captains or special guests and also feature unheard standards for the workers with a luxury restaurant, swimming pool and gym all available for there use, showing special respect to the Cerri working team.


CNL Admiral Stars in the St. Moritz White Turf 2008

The renowned White Turf, known throughout the world as championship races on snow, is an important annual international meet staged in St. Moritz on the first three Sundays of February. Since 1907, these horse races on the frozen lake have been an established tradition that sees noble thoroughbreds coming from all over Europe and international jockeys, offering an unparalleled social and sporting event, made even more unique by the majestic landscape of the Upper Engadine. Spread over 130,000 square meters, the frozen lake area accommodates the horse track, the 2,400-seat grandstands, and the elegant marquee, which includes refreshment stalls and the VIP tent, where figures from Europe’s cultural, economic, and political world congregate. CNL, as the leading company in the construction of alloy planning maxi yachts from 32 to 44 meters in length, with its Admiral brand, and renowned in the mega yacht world, chose to sponsor a White Turf race on the second Sunday of the meeting, highlighting Admiral Yacht Grand Prix along with the trotting race. The Admiral Yacht Grand Prix was particularly spectacular: it was an 1800 meter trotting race equaling a lap and a half of the track on a frozen surface, which is not a simple thing for a horse to accomplish. Special shoeing enabled thoroughbreds to move with agility even on such difficult ground, and sulkies were equipped with special skids in place of wheels. Melvin was the winner, a splendid thoroughbred driven by a woman, Evelyne Fankhausen. At the Award Ceremony, the young, visibly stirred victor received the Admiral trophy from the hands of Laura Ceccarelli, CNL vice president, and Francesco Ceccarelli, general director. Melvin’s owner and trainer were awarded a prize, while the horse received an elegant white shawl with Admiral Logo that was draped across its hindquarters by the Ceccarellis. Sport, fun, plenty of glamour and a company CNL Admiral, that is always able to astonish and inspire passion. The next Admiral Grand Prix at White Turf is set for next year.


Ferretti 40 Years Anniversary

The Ferretti story began in 1968, when brothers Alessandro and Norberto Ferretti established their naval yard. It's an experience crowned by the achievement of extraordinary goals, created with passion, farsightedness and professionalism. These values have led the Ferretti Group to become what is today an international icon of Made in Italy luxury. In 2008 Ferretti celebrates the 40th anniversary of its foundation with a packed calendar of dates involving clients, the media, yards and local communities on an international level. Along with a number of special projects to be revealed in the second part of the year, 2008 will offer two main events. The first, next April, is "Privilege Days", an event dedicated to Owners of Ferretti yachts. On this occasion it will take place at a symbolic location for the yard, Cattolica, where is located the production site of the most prestigious models of the Ferretti Yachts fleet. On these special "Privilege Days" the Marina Nuova at Cattolica will host the entire Ferretti Yachts, Mochi Craft and Custom Line fleet, all completely open to visit for clients and prospects, offering them two unique, unforgettable days to experience the excellence Ferretti. The climax of the event is an exclusive dinner party for a limited number of guests at the Horses Riviera Resort. The end of the nautical year will be marked by a prestigious, internationally significant event: Ferretti is to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a unique performance, a private concert at The Teatro alla Scala in Milan dedicated to all those who have experienced, shared and contributed to the Company's success. Finally, a special celebratory logo has been created for all the activities involved in this exceptional occasion.


Ferretti Custom Line Revealed In New Video

Ferretti Custom Line the shipyard part of Ferretti Group and international leader in the production of composite maxi yachts between 26 and 34 metres, expresses its essence through the elegance and majesty of a new institutional film, blending images of its yachts with depictions of its Owners’ lifestyles. The film made by the Terminal production house was shot in 16mm in different Italian locations, from the Tuscan countryside to the Adriatic coast, the eternal grandeur of Rome, and the baroque interiors of the elegant villa de Vergers in Rimini. The unique quality that unifies these diverse settings is the personality of the Ferretti Custom Line Owner the real protagonist, together with the yachts that embody the fulfilment of a dream. Scenes from Owners’ lives are combined with cruising sequences where the details of the Ferretti Custom Line maxi yachts, are reflected in the expressions of protagonists, communicating awareness of themselves and their desires, distinctive style and refinement is revealed. According to the film director, Tiziano Campolmi, the Owner plays an active role in creating the beauty of his Ferretti Custom Line yacht, allowing it to become a breathtaking expression of his personality. The parallel with an oldtime tailor’s workshop is especially evocative; Ferretti Custom Line is like a tailor made suit for the Owner. Every model becomes a true masterpiece of uniqueness through its attention to detail, excellent quality, and the contribution of skilled master craftsmen. The outstanding Ferretti Custom Line maxi yachts are semicustomised, a unique feature of excellence. An architect from the shipyard meets with the owner, during the ship building process, to discuss several customization possibilities. All the parts not directly related to the yacht’s structure, starting from the décor, furniture precious woods, leathers, and fabrics, to furnishing complements can be selected amongst a wide array of choices, thanks to collaborations with the best Italian companies. The music of Pietro Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana”, create a background which produced a perfect blend between the uniqueness of Ferretti Custom Line maxi yachts, and the reliability, technology and prestige of the Ferretti Group. The video is online on the website homepage.


Fiart Mare Owners Di Luggo Family Extends Managing

From January 2008 on the family di Luggo, main shareholder of Fiart Mare, entered more directly in the management of the company. The Knight of work Ruggiero di Luggo stays president while Giancarlo di Luggo became CEO, together with Annalaura di Luggo as advising director for the commercial and marketing department. In fact, Giancarlo di Luggo will manage the company after years of managing experience in the financial and real estate business and replaces Fabrizio Brancaccio who remains in the board of directors as an adviser. The new managing director, 41 years old, married and father of 3 children, graduated with the maximum grades in Economy and Business at the University Federico II of Naples. For more than 15 years he has been running the real estate branch and constructions of the group Fiart Cantieri Italiani and LDB, companies of which he is the actual managing director. Today he accepts the challenge to contribute to the expansion of Fiart Mare, with the intention of being a breath of fresh to the company’s philosophy. He is carrying out this task by focusing on the distinctive characteristics of the company and the high quality of the product and concentrating decisively on the technology and the design of the range of products.


Riva At La Bella Machina 2008

Jet Aviation Palm Beach and Cavallino Classic magazine hosted their 7th annual La Bella Macchina event on January 25th, 2008. The event was a private cocktail reception and celebration of Ferraris, private aircraft, yachts and other rarities of life. More than 75 new, classic and vintage Ferraris were on display, including some rare editions, and this year boasted the introduction of the Ferrari 599 GTB for the first time in South Florida. Among the other luxury brands partners of the event, Riva put at disposal of the attendees an exemplar of Aquariva. Guests, among whom hundreds of Ferrari owners, Palm Beach and New York socialites and premier business people, had the chance to admire and to tour the Riva 33 footer that, thanks to its pure and elegant design, is already considered a classic from worldwide collectors.


Sealine Lifestyle Magazine

Sealine International is delighted to announce the appointment of Seascape Media as the official publishers of its biannual customer magazine. Designed to capture the personality of the Sealine brand and to reflect the lifestyle associated with owning a luxury motorboat, the new ‘Sealine Magazine’, which replaces the former ‘Instinct’ publication, will be a glossy lifestyle title. It will include features on a wide range of subjects from inspirational real life adventures, on board living to beautiful cruising destinations. It will be published in March and September and has exclusive distribution rights via the company’s dealer network and at international boat shows. It will also be distributed direct to Sealine owners in the UK.


Sunseeker Helps Starlight Children Foundation & CLIC Charity

The Sunseeker Charitable Thrust was delighted to presenting two separate cheques to both the Starlight Children Foundation and CLIC Sargent (Caring for Children with Cancer) at the London Boat Show on 20th January. The Thrust has contributed 50.000 UK Pound to both institutes in order to support a worthwhile cause and help make a difference.


Viking VIP Preview

Viking’s 11th Annual VIP Boat Show Preview held February 1-2, 2008 at the Viking Yacht Service Center in Riviera Beach, Florida, attracted a crowd of 600 enthusiastic Viking owners and friends. Beautiful weather abounded as an impressive fleet of new Viking yachts ruled the seas during two days of nonstop sea trials. For many of the attendees, the event marked their initial viewing of the Viking 60 Convertible, the Viking 60 Enclosed Bridge Convertible and the spectacular new Viking 50 Convertible. The VIP Preview takes place just prior to the Miami Boat Show and showcases the entire Viking product line from 45 to 74 feet, as well as the superb Service Center facility. In addition, we invite a select group of important Viking vendors and suppliers to participate. They provide a boat show like environment with informative displays of marine equipment, engines, accessories and other services. This year’s event also marked the opening of the nearby Viking International Yacht Center, an expansive waterfront facility that has become the new home for Palm Beach Towers and Atlantic Marine Electronics.