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Our History

Our history

STILL DREAMING AFTER MORE THAN 180 YEARS

The Ferretti Group is among the world leaders in the luxury yacht industry and works in the design, construction and sale of yachts and pleasure boats.

The Ferretti Group is synonymous with luxury, innovation, passion and excellence. It boasts a portfolio of unique brands that were well established long before joining the Group, including Riva, famous for its Italian craftsmanship and design for more than 180 years.
Today, Ferretti Group still maintains strong ties to Italy's centuries-old yachting tradition, and is well-known for its distinctive Italian style and design, along with production centres that are on the industrial cutting edge.

 

The beginnings

1968-94

Ferretti was established in 1968 when the Ferretti brothers became agents for the American firm Chris Craft and began marketing their motor boats: Ferretti Nautica was born.

In 1971, the company built its first 10-metre wooden ‘motor sailer’, i.e. a boat with both a sail and an engine.

In 1982, Ferretti launched its first motor yacht, propelled exclusively by engine power, and began building open, flybridge and sport-fisherman vessels.

In 1989, a drive towards improved synergies in advanced technology led to the establishment of the Engineering Department, a specialist research centre tasked with researching new materials and designing new standard-series boats.

Ferretti's debut in the offshore-racing arena soon followed. The newly expanded range and the sporting successes paved the way for the group’s internationalisation.

Accordingly, Ferretti of America Inc. was founded in 1993 to sell motor yachts in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and the Caribbean.

Ferretti of America joined an existing network operating in Greece, France, Spain, Germany and Great Britain, helping to boost sales on the international market.

Between 1994 and 1997, the Ferretti team's victories at the European Championship and the Class 1 World Offshore Championship (twice) enabled the company to transfer the results of the technological research originally intended for sporting competitions to the production line.

The beginnings

1968-94

Ferretti was established in 1968 when the Ferretti brothers became agents for the American firm Chris Craft and began marketing their motor boats: Ferretti Nautica was born.

In 1971, the company built its first 10-metre wooden ‘motor sailer’, i.e. a boat with both a sail and an engine.

In 1982, Ferretti launched its first motor yacht, propelled exclusively by engine power, and began building open, flybridge and sport-fisherman vessels.

In 1989, a drive towards improved synergies in advanced technology led to the establishment of the Engineering Department, a specialist research centre tasked with researching new materials and designing new standard-series boats.

Ferretti's debut in the offshore-racing arena soon followed. The newly expanded range and the sporting successes paved the way for the group’s internationalisation.

Accordingly, Ferretti of America Inc. was founded in 1993 to sell motor yachts in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and the Caribbean.

Ferretti of America joined an existing network operating in Greece, France, Spain, Germany and Great Britain, helping to boost sales on the international market.

Between 1994 and 1997, the Ferretti team's victories at the European Championship and the Class 1 World Offshore Championship (twice) enabled the company to transfer the results of the technological research originally intended for sporting competitions to the production line.

Acquisitions

1999-2012

In 1994, Ferretti launched a global sales campaign by creating a strategic dealer network outside Europe.

In the late 1990s, as institutional investors acquired a share of the capital, the company looked to an external-expansion strategy through targeted acquisitions of boat builders specialising in top-of-the-range motor yachts.

In 1996, with the arrival of Custom Line, Ferretti began operating in the flybridge segment with 28- to 40-metre fibreglass yachts.

In 1998, CNA Srl (Cantieri Navali dell'Adriatico) joined the group, bringing the prestigious Pershing brand – specialist open motor yachts combining high performance with supreme comfort and design excellence.

In 1999, the group acquired CRN SpA, a specialist builder of 30-metre-plus maxi and mega-yachts in composite materials, with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure.

In 2000, Ferretti acquired 100% of the share capital of Riva SpA, the world’s most famous and exclusive shipyard.

In May 2001, the parent company Ferretti SpA bought various assets from Oram shipyards of La Spezia, where Riva would set up its new production facilities. In November that year, Ferretti Group finalized its acquisition of Mochi Craft Srl, based in Pesaro.

In 2002, the group took over Diesse Arredamenti, bringing in new skills in the nautical fittings and furnishings sector to enhance its consolidated boat-building know-how. In line with this strategy, in 2002 the group also finalized its acquisitions of Cantiere Navale Mario Morini of Ancona (enabling CRN to expand its production capacity), Pinmar SL, a specialist yacht painter & refitter, and Zago SpA, a high-profile Italian manufacturer of wooden furniture pieces.

In 2004, the group acquired Cantieri Navali Itama, a prestigious company specialising in the construction of open motor yachts.

In 2008, Ferretti Group acquired the assets, brands and operations of Allied Marine, an American firm specialising in brokerage, after-sales services, and the sale of new and second-hand motor yachts.

Acquisitions

1999-2012

In 1994, Ferretti launched a global sales campaign by creating a strategic dealer network outside Europe.

In the late 1990s, as institutional investors acquired a share of the capital, the company looked to an external-expansion strategy through targeted acquisitions of boat builders specialising in top-of-the-range motor yachts.

In 1996, with the arrival of Custom Line, Ferretti began operating in the flybridge segment with 28- to 40-metre fibreglass yachts.

In 1998, CNA Srl (Cantieri Navali dell'Adriatico) joined the group, bringing the prestigious Pershing brand – specialist open motor yachts combining high performance with supreme comfort and design excellence.

In 1999, the group acquired CRN SpA, a specialist builder of 30-metre-plus maxi and mega-yachts in composite materials, with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure.

In 2000, Ferretti acquired 100% of the share capital of Riva SpA, the world’s most famous and exclusive shipyard.

In May 2001, the parent company Ferretti SpA bought various assets from Oram shipyards of La Spezia, where Riva would set up its new production facilities. In November that year, Ferretti Group finalized its acquisition of Mochi Craft Srl, based in Pesaro.

In 2002, the group took over Diesse Arredamenti, bringing in new skills in the nautical fittings and furnishings sector to enhance its consolidated boat-building know-how. In line with this strategy, in 2002 the group also finalized its acquisitions of Cantiere Navale Mario Morini of Ancona (enabling CRN to expand its production capacity), Pinmar SL, a specialist yacht painter & refitter, and Zago SpA, a high-profile Italian manufacturer of wooden furniture pieces.

In 2004, the group acquired Cantieri Navali Itama, a prestigious company specialising in the construction of open motor yachts.

In 2008, Ferretti Group acquired the assets, brands and operations of Allied Marine, an American firm specialising in brokerage, after-sales services, and the sale of new and second-hand motor yachts.

1968

Founding
of Ferretti

Creation
of Ferretti
America Inc.

1993
1994

Creation of a strategic
network of dealers
outside Europe

Creation
of Custom Line
 

1996
1998

Acquisition
of Pershing

Acquisition
of CRN
 

1999
2000

Acquisition
of Riva

Acquisition
of Mochi Craft
 

2001
2003

Acquisition
of Zago

Acquisition
of Itama Cantieri
Navali

2004
2008

Acquisition
of Allied Marine

Weichai Group
acquires a majority
stake in Ferretti Group

2012
2016

Creation of
Ferretti Security
Division

Acquisition
of Wally

2019
2022

Listing on the
Stock Exchange
of Hong Kong

Ferretti Group acquires
majority stake
in Massello Srl and
Fratelli Canalicchio SpA

2022
2023

Ferretti Group
listed on
Euronext Milan

Founding of Ferretti

1968

1993

 

Creation of Ferretti
America Inc.

 

Creation of a strategic network of dealers outside Europe

1994

1996

Creation of
Custom Line

Acquisition of Pershing

1998

1999

Acquisition of CRN

Acquisition of Riva

2000

2001

Acquisition of Mochi Craft

Acquisition of Zago

2003

2004

Acquisition of Itama Cantieri Navali

Acquisition of Allied Marine

2008

2012

 

Weichai Group acquires a majority stake in Ferretti Group

Creation of Ferretti Security Division

2016

2019

Acquisition of Wally

 

Listing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong

2022

2022

 

Ferretti Group acquires majority stake in Massello Srl and Fratelli Canalicchio SpA

 

Ferretti Group listed on Euronext Milan

2023

Buoyant growth

2012-Today

2012 saw a change in the ownership structure of Ferretti Group. Weichai Group ("SHIG - Weichai Group"), one of the largest international industrial groups in the commercial vehicles and construction machinery sector, acquired a 75% holding.

Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group CEO, led the new management team towards new objectives. The focus was on research & development and product innovation while taking the group’s yachts into new markets, as ambassadors of Italian technology and style. This was a time of major investment in products, processes, communication and events. Ferretti Group grew at an astonishing rate, performing well above the industry average.

February 2016 saw the establishment of FSD (Ferretti Security Division). The division specializes in the design, development and production of a new range of state-of-the-art naval platforms with state of the art specifications and mission profiles tailored to the requirements for the security, patrol, search & rescue in international and territorial waters and coastlines.

The first Fast Patrol Vessel by Ferretti Security Division, the FSD195, is a high-performance 20-metre vessel capable of speeds in excess of 55 knots, with a range of over 500 miles and both RINA FPV and CE approvals.

The results so far have satisfied shareholders to such an extent that Ferretti Group has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 2022. Ferretti Group acquires a majority stake in two supply chain companies: Massello Srl and Fratelli Canalicchio SpA. In 2023, Ferretti Group made its debut on Euronext Milan, the Milan-based stock exchange operated by Borsa Italiana, the first and only Group in the world to achieve this double listing in Asia and in Europe.

Buoyant growth

2012-Today

2012 saw a change in the ownership structure of Ferretti Group. Weichai Group ("SHIG - Weichai Group"), one of the largest international industrial groups in the commercial vehicles and construction machinery sector, acquired a 75% holding and, in August of the same year, Tan Xuguang was elected Chairman of the Board of Ferretti Group.

Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group CEO, led the new management team towards new objectives. The focus was on research & development and product innovation while taking the group’s yachts into new markets, as ambassadors of Italian technology and style. This was a time of major investment in products, processes, communication and events. Ferretti Group grew at an astonishing rate, performing well above the industry average.

February 2016 saw the establishment of FSD (Ferretti Security Division). The division specializes in the design, development and production of a new range of state-of-the-art naval platforms with state of the art specifications and mission profiles tailored to the requirements for the security, patrol, search & rescue in international and territorial waters and coastlines.

The first Fast Patrol Vessel by Ferretti Security Division, the FSD195, is a high-performance 20-metre vessel capable of speeds in excess of 55 knots, with a range of over 500 miles and both RINA FPV and CE approvals.

The results so far have satisfied shareholders to such an extent that Ferretti Group has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 2022. Ferretti Group acquires a majority stake in two supply chain companies: Massello Srl and Fratelli Canalicchio SpA. In 2023, Ferretti Group made its debut on Euronext Milan, the Milan-based stock exchange operated by Borsa Italiana, the first and only Group in the world to achieve this double listing in Asia and in Europe.