-pic of the month- Nordhavn New Factory
Baglietto Group Marketing and Commercial Director Resigns
Gruppo Baglietto informs that Fabio Ermetto, Marketing and Commercial Director has resigned from his duties. Gruppo Baglietto would like to thank Fabio Ermetto for his commitment to date.
CNL Admiral Holds Yachtmaster Meeting
On 3 December, Admiral and the yacht Commanders met in Genoa for the annual Admiral Yachtmaster Meeting, which, this year, is now in its fifth edition. The backdrop to the meeting was Villa Lo Zerbino, a historic patrician house in the heart of Genoa with a wealth of seventeenth century frescos to which were added, in the Nineteenth century, elegant neo-classical decorations and with wonderful Italian gardens with grottos, fishponds and marble sculptures. The session of works was opened with a greeting from the CNL management to the more than 50 Commanders present. This was followed by two technical interventions of considerable interest and pertinence: water-jet propulsion and electrical stabilisation. Andrea Cerutti, from Rolls Royce Italia, presented by Daniele Succio, Technical and Commercial Manager of CNL, together with the Commanders, tackled the subject of water-jet propulsion on large sized yachts and, in particular, explained their functioning and the advantages of the model which CNL has included on its 44 metre new, planning flagship, the Admiral 44 WJ in construction at Lavagna. These advantages are those such as its great maneuverability, the absence of vibrations, the reduced immersion and the excellent performance with regard to speed. Alessandro Cappiello, of CMC Marine, and Francesco Rogantin, CNL Technical Director, on the other hand, updated the Commanders on the brand new stabilising fins with electrical functioning, a revolutionary novelty in the field of the stabilising of large yachts. This solution guarantees advantages with regard to performance: simplicity of installation, silence, no significant loss of power, a more rapid response within a range of wider frequency and the greater rotation speed which enormously improves the stabilization of the anchor. A confirmation of CNL Admiral innovation for the purpose to guarantee excellent performance in style. An intensive, professional, constructive and involving day, both for the Commanders who participated actively and with enthusiasm and for the organizers who were able to meet face to face with those who have a real experience the sea. A fixed date, then, for next year but always with consistent attention paid to both professionalism and quality.
Ferretti Group CEO Resigns
Ferretti group, a world leader within the sphere of designing, building and marketing luxury motoryachts, which encompasses nine of the most exclusive and prestigious brands in the nautical world (Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, Itama, Bertram, Riva, Apreamare, Mochi Craft, CRN and Custom Line), announces that Vincenzo Cannatelli has relinquished his powers as Chief Executive Officer of Ferretti S.p.A. and has resigned from the position of director of the subsidiaries effective immediately, while continuing to serve as member of the Board of Directors of Ferretti S.p.A. until the General Shareholders’ Meeting that will approve the financial statements for the year ending 31 August 2008. This decision, taken in full agreement with the Board of Directors of Ferretti S.p.A., takes account of the extension of the timetable for a potential IPO, given the financial market crisis and, consequently, the need to allow the Company to lay out an organizational structure that is more consistent with the current market conditions. Norberto Ferretti continues to serve as the Group’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ferruccio Rossi has been confirmed as the Group’s General Manager, and Mauro Moretti, the Group’s CFO, will receive broader operating powers.
Ferretti Wins Ceasar Best Yacht Award
Ferretti Yachts confirms its position as an ambassador for Made in Italy excellence in the Romanian market, too. This was the verdict given by the third edition of the 'Caesar Awards', the exclusive event presented by CAESAR magazine, which has recognised the best international luxury products for the 2009 season. In the presence of 200 selected guests, including Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu, Ion Tiriac, Ilie Nastase and Nadia Comaneci, the prizegiving "Awards Gala" ceremony rewarded excellence in international luxury, divided into product categories. In the "nautical luxury" sector, Ferretti Altura 840 won the title of "CAESAR BEST YACHT", an accolade given to the yacht built by the Forlì-based yard. The Altura 840 presented in world preview at the Cannes Boat Show 2008 marks an evolution and renewal for the yard, extending the historic series born in the mid-1970s with Altura 42 followed in the 1980s by the Altura 46 and Altura 49, "pioneer" models that opened up an age of motoryachting with cutting edge innovation. Altura 840 now stands alongside Altura 690, which provided the inspiration behind the design project, as an extremely comfortable yacht with generous, welcoming spaces and high navigation performances. At the ceremony, held at Crown Plaza in Bucharest, the Ferretti Yachts management celebrated winning this prestigious award with Francos Marina, the dealer for Romania.
Formula Wins Arabian Yachting Award
Fomula Boats Inc from USA has won the best boat in the 40' and under category with the 400 SS model in the Arabian Yachting Awards for 2008. The awards were divided into 18 categories and are a reflection of all boats sold in the Middle East, with a primary focus on the UAE.
Inrizzardi President Gianfranco Rizzardi gets Top 100 Managers Listing
Gianfranco Rizzardi, President and Owner of Inrizzardi Group was listed as one of Italy’s top 100 managers, in the annual Atlas named Top Management Italiano 2008, edited by Communicazione Italiana.
Nordhavn PAE Launches New Factory
PAE is very excited to announce the opening of a state-of-the-art factory in Xiamen, China, which will become the new production center for nine of the Nordhavn models. After almost two years of blasting, digging, welding, pouring, wiring, plumbing and fine finishing, the new factory built by Chinese South Coast Marine finished September 1 and immediately commenced with full production. The new factory which replaces the original factory built in 2002, is a magnificent facility and ranks as one of the top yacht building factories in the world. Erected on 20 acres of land and with nearly 400,000 square feet of floor space, the plant, known as “Xiamen II,” boasts many high-tech features including a climate controlled lamination room for ABS class certification, computerized materials handling, a 150 X 40 foot test tank, an on site metal fabrication facility, an on site lumber mill, an on site hotel for PAE staff, Nordhavn buyers and their captains and crew and dormitory facilities for the factory workers. As a really cool touch, the word Nordhavn has been written in 30-foot high letters on one of the massive production bays clearly visible from outer space. Seriously! Just wait until Google Earth updates the area around the factory and you’ll be able to see for yourselves. The Xiamen II plant currently has a workforce of 600 people and builds the following Nordhavn models: N40, N43, N47, N52, N55, N60, EYF75, N86 and the N120. The workforce will expand to over 1000 people within the next 24 months. PAE has invested a considerable amount of time, effort and money in recent years to develop and introduce new models and find itself perfectly positioned with a fresh product line and the eminent arrival of two exciting new models, the MS56 and the EYF75.
Nord West Boat of the Year Nomination
Nord West receives notice for nominees for both 420 and new 370 to win the Motor Boat of the Year 2009! The winner will be announced during the London Boat show in January 2009. The Swedish builder is not new to this price having won it twice in a row with the 420 Flybridge model.
Riva New Home Couture
Since Christmas 2008 the sophisticated style of the prestigious nautical brand Made in Italy expanded also on fittings thanks to a collection of exclusive products born to decorate not only the interior of the Riva yachts. Pure and noble materials like cachemire, silk, leather and linen were the protagonists of the very first Riva Home Couture collection presented to the public and press from December 12th to 22nd in the showroom at 15/a, via D. Manin in Milan. Products thought to satisfy the most refined tastes through a careful research of fabrics and design. Like the Scia (Wake) model, plaid and cushions on which an embroidered draws the ideal wake of a Riva yacht; or like the reading set made in pure cachemire, with a special plaid studied to make reading a true luxury moment. The elegant collection achieved immediately a huge success, thanks to the high quality materials used and to the originality of the products proposed and it will be sold by appointment only at the showroom in Milan.
Riviera Steady Growth
Australian leading luxury boat builder, Riviera, today announced it had completed a strategic and operational review addressing the impact of slowing demand in the current economic climate and providing a more stable platform for growth. The company announced a number of changes to the executive team, including the appointment of Ms Ly-Eng Ea as Chief Financial Officer and Mr Les Galbraith as Managing Director of the company’s Australasian retail organisation, R Marine. Mr Galbraith takes over from founding Managing Director Mr Tim Sayer who has been promoted to the new position of Director of Global Sales and Marketing. Mr Michael Burke has been promoted to Director of Operations. Ms Ea joins Riviera from Siemens in Singapore where she has held a similar role since 1994 while Mr Galbraith was previously with the Stella Group. The review also included strengthening of the company’s banking facilities and an injection of new equity from its institutional investors which include Ironbridge and Gresham Private Equity. John Anderson, CEO of Riviera said the financing arrangements, which included a new three-year debt facility, provided the management team with greater flexibility as it responded to the challenges in global markets.
Riviera Owner Circum Navigates Australia
With a graceful turn to starboard, Ian Reynolds fulfilled a dream to circumnavigate Australia. At the age of 80 years young, he and his Riviera 56, Investigator IV, entered the Gold Coast Seaway after a year exploring the sometimes exotic, sometimes fierce and always awesome coast in a 9,000 nautical mile adventure. Ian’s voyage ended as had begun, under a giant Riviera flag hovering over the fleet. The flag, measuring 12 metres by 12 metres, was used to salute his departure from the Gold Coast Seaway on November 1, 2007. Now – 380 days later - it welcomed him home. A fleet of boats of all sizes waited as helicopters hovered overhead. Then the boat appeared from behind the headland and the fleet surged forward to greet him, sounding their horns. Crowds on the breakwater applauded. Ian Reynolds and Investigator IV made their way through the gathered boats that quickly formed a line astern, heading north on the calm Gold Coast Broadwater toward McLaren’s Landing for a celebration party, a time to talk of the voyage and finally to relax. During the party, Riviera presented Ian with a large framed chart, a copy of the one first published by Matthew Flinders in 1804, a year after he circumnavigated Australia. With the chart, the continent’s true shape was shown for the first time. Reynolds’ Investigator IV is a standard Riviera 56 Enclosed Flybridge, fitted for the voyage only with the addition of an extra 713-litre fuel tank, a watermaker, extra anchor chain and sophisticated electronic navigation aids. The adventure included a brief diversion to take the helm of the 70-metre long square-rigged sailing vessel James Craig, diving with great white sharks off Port Lincoln in South Australia and losing his starboard propeller in the aptly-named Whirlpool Pass in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Throughout the voyage, Ian Reynolds sought locations to remember Matthew Flinders, the first person to circumnavigate Australia and, in doing so, to give this continent its name. Ian has owned five Rivieras over the past 12 years – all except the first called Investigator after Flinders’ ship. A true blue-water sailor, he began his voyaging aboard a Riviera 35, venturing from Melbourne across Bass Strait to the entire northern Tasmanian coast and return. He navigated Investigator II, a Riviera 48, from Port Douglas to Hobart, inspiring him to plan his first circumnavigation – around Tasmania. That task was completed in 2006 aboard Investigator III and plans began immediately for the continental voyage.
Riviera Honors Star Performers
Luxury boat builder Riviera is ending 2008 on a high note with a ceremony to honour high achieving staff over the year. The company yesterday announced its Star Performers for 2008 in three categories: Star Performer, Apprentice and Safety. Each was rewarded with a trip to New Zealand to visit the Auckland International Boat Show in March next year. Riviera Star Performer for 2008 is Matthew Febey and Apprentice of the Year is Craig Folker while the company’s vital Safety award went to Shane Hollindale. Matthew Febey said he was proud to receive recognition for his work. The annual Star Performers lunch at the company’s R Restaurant Bar brought together all nominated outstanding staff for the final quarter of the year as well as the best from previous quarters. More than 80 staff gathered to applaud the achievers. Riviera CEO John Anderson used the occasion to tell staff the company continues to out-perform its major competitors around the globe at international boat shows. He said the performance of staff across the company continued to improve and the quality of boats being delivered was the best the Dealers have ever seen.
Sunseeker Charitable Thrust
On 9th January 2009 The Sunseeker Charitable Trust will once again be supporting The Outward Bound Trust Ball. The Outward Bound Trust is a deserving charity with HRH Duke of York at its helm which helps young people, and in the last year more than 30,000 young people attended an Outward Bound Course, half of whom were supported financially thanks to generous supporters. The 9th January 2009 will see a line up of internationally acclaimed artists giving their services free of charge and performing Bee Gees' greatest hits, Robin Gibb CBE, the legendary Bill Wyman and "The Rhythm Kings" (as the resident house band) Lulu, Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm, soul diva Beverley Knight, Georgie Fame, Mark King from Level 42, Kenney Jones from The Who and the Small Faces, Paulo Nutini, Atomic Kitten's Natasha Hamilton and Russia's number one selling artist Valeriya will all be on stage to entertain you. The black tie ball is once again being held on the first Friday of the boat show (9th January 2009) at Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London. Last year many of you supported this event and we would be delighted if you could do so again. Tickets are available at £250, £500 and £1,000 per person. This is an exclusive event, tickets are limited and this will be the only time these artists appear together on stage so please come and lend your support and help us make this a night to remember.
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