Monthly News - December 2007

- pic of the month - Tecnomar at Bologna Motorshow

Aicon Group Adds 2 New Managers

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: Maurizio Grasso, Sales Director and Pietro Quattropani, Purchasing and Acquisitions Director.


Azimut Benetti Group Best Performer

Azimut-Benetti Group was awarded Best Performer at an awards ceremony organised by the Confederation of Italian Industry for the "Champions of Growth" on December 3, 2007. Eleven medium-sized Italian manufacturing firms with an annual growth rate of higher than 15 per cent between 2001 and 2006 were picked by industry body Confindustria for the accolade "Champions of Growth".Azimut-Benetti was selected Best Performer within this group because of its compound annual growth rate of more than 26 per cent and annual profitability at over 15 per cent.The group registered a value of production in excess of €800 million in 2007 while its order portfolio as of August 31, 2007 was worth more than €1.5 billion.


Azimut obtains ISO 14001 Environmental Certificate

Italian luxury yacht firm Azimut Yachts has obtained the environmental certification UNI EN ISO 14001 from RINA (Registro Navale Italiano) for the company's Avigliana production site in northwest Italy, which builds yachts from 39ft-68ft (12m-21m).Extending over some 90,000 sqm, the certified site has been put under an environmental management system that involves complex production processes, including lamination, bodywork, fit out and testing, operating to the criteria of minimising damage to the environment. Azimut claims to be the first yacht company in the world to adopt the infusion system in yacht making, whereby fibreglass is handled in a vacuum with absorption and disposal of the emissions handled by a specially designed system.


Baia CEO Receives Price

Antonio Capasso received a price for the important contribution Cantieri di Baia has given to the Campania Region in many years, giving a huge return of development and professionalism to the nautical sector. The price was delivered during the night Yacht In Naples 2007 organized in the prestigious Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia at Luise & Sons club.


Bertram President Resigns

Bertram Yacht has announced that Joe Bubenzer will resign as president of the Miami, USA based sport-fish manufacturer at the end of this year, after five years at the helm. Bertram Yacht, part of Italy's Ferretti Group, will announce a new president in the coming weeks.


Fairline Sponsor Main Stage at London Boat Show

Fairline Boats has announced it will be the title sponsor of the exciting new Main Stage feature at the 2008 Collins Stewart London Boat Show. 'The Main Stage, Powered by Fairline' will be the focal point of the Show and promises to be packed with events and attractions including catwalk fashion shows, empowering talks from legendary boating heroes, and a dazzling aerial Sea Queen Stage Show. Located in the centre of the North Hall, the 35m Main Stage is set to be a hive of activity and will constantly transform during the 10-day event. Visitors will be entertained by special guest appearances from some of the biggest names in the industry; choreographed catwalk fashion shows from leading clothing brands including Fat Face, Henri Lloyd and Figleaves.com; and astounding aerial displays performed by a host of dynamic circus dancers and daring stilt-walkers.


Ferretti Group Convergance 2008

The Ferretti Group will host 'Convergence', an event bringing together captains of the group's yachts and superyachts for seminars and workshops, in Rome from February 26-29, 2008. Incorporating 'Convergence' and 'Convergence Navi' for the first time, the four-day course will feature distinct and separate training courses for captains of Ferretti's yachts up to 24m (79ft) and captains of the marque's superyachts. The training on offer at 'Convergence' will include technical seminars, presentations by component and onboard-systems experts, updates regarding medical and legal issues, and workshops on the daily management of luxury motoryachts and superyachts. Team activities for the participants have also been planned. MTU will be the official sponsor of the event, which will also provide captains with the opportunity to exchange information and develop an invaluable social network.


Pershing and Itama Present Awards for Creativity

Three special awards were presented to the Fashion and Costume History student winners of the Pershing and Itama employee outfit design project. These two prestigious companies, both members of the famous Ferretti Group, play a prominent role on the worldwide luxury yacht stage. And Fabio Fraternale, the CEO of the two companies, presented the awards in person to the three students, Bianca Maria Evangelisti, Sharon Fulvi and Sara Pasini, judged as displaying particular talent in the Sea of Fashion project. This initiative, created from the close relationship between the Pesaro Art Institute and Pershing and Itama, both based in the Marches, has given students firsthand experience of the working world following an invitation to visit the company where they were able to observe real professional situations and dynamics. Pershing and Itama welcomed school visits to their offices and construction yards in order to give students the chance to conduct real on-site research into the brands and their market position. This opportunity enabled the teenagers to gain a real insight into Pershing and Itama company philosophy and to interpret it in their employee work clothing designs.


Tecnomar at Bologna Motor Show

Tecnomar was present at the Italians major Motor Show as main sponsor to a Subaru Impreza STI rally car of the team Subaru Italia Tecnica Bertino. Driven by Italian champion Luca Baldini, it participated at the Subaru Impreza Rally Cup 2007 that happened during the Bologna Motor Show 2007.