Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Cannes, 9th September 2009 – The Ferretti Group, a world leader within the sphere of designing, construction and marketing of motoryachts, encompassing a unique portfolio of nine of the most exclusive brands in the nautical world, opens the first, eagerly-awaited event of the 2009-2010 nautical season, the XXXII Festival International De La Plaisance in Cannes, by presenting an impressive 37 yachts, of which 3 are world previews.
During the traditional Ferretti Group Meeting, at its seventh edition this year, theFerretti Group presented the preliminary 2009 results for the nautical year ending at 31st August 2009. Although the year was characterised by a particularly negative macro-economic situation, the Group performed better compared to the nautical market trend. Indeed, as at 31st August 2009 the Ferretti Group registered preliminary Revenues of around 800 million Euro. This result, although less than 12% down compared to the 900 million Euro registered on 31st August 2008, is better than the one achieved by the nautical market in average, which registered a drop of between 20% and 30%, over the last year.
This occasion comes at the end of a complex year for the Group, which has managed to respond to the demand of a nautical market that has changed significantly, thus reconfirming itself as one of the greatest examples of Made in Italy in the world. At the end of July 2009, the Group appointed its new Board of Directors and Salvatore Basile as CEO. These important measures have been taken in order to implement the strategic Plan carried out over the past few months, which will enable the Ferretti Group to consolidate its leadership in the nautical sector and continue the growth process , which has characterized its 41 years of history.
Given this context, the Ferretti Group has implemented and is continuing to implement a series of measures aimed at strengthening the synergies of a Group, which encompasses 9 of the most famous and historical brands in the world of pleasure boating panorama and boasts the most advanced skills in terms of naval research and design. With the aim of responding to an increasing need for flexibility and speed in decisions, along with the ability to understand and anticipate its Clients’ demand, the Group has modified its internal organization, centralizing the various functions while focusing on the characteristics and distinctive features of each Brand. The Industrial and Commercial Directions will play a key role, alongside the Organization and HR Direction, the Financial Direction and the Strategic Planning Direction, the latter of which has been created with the aim of best facing the challenges of today’s nautical market. Alongside these directions, the Group Communication will have staff functions.
From the technological innovation point of view, the Ferretti Group is continuing to launch important innovations to order to satisfy the demand of Clients all over the world. In fact, the Group is preparing itself to present an impressive 15 new yachts, beginning with the Festival International de la Plaisance in Cannes. It will display 5 new models at the 2009 autumn boat shows and will launch another 10 new yachts by the end of October 2010.
Moreover, Ferretti Group recently presented FAIR (Ferretti Analysis Integral Recorder), the first integrated system for monitoring the performance of Group yachts during testing, which makes it possible not only to obtain all operating data simultaneously, but also to analyze and process them. The system is exclusive to Ferretti Group yachts and represents the achievement of yet another goal in terms of research and innovation, in order to assure that Clients are supplied with a product that is guaranteed by objective results which conform to its specifications.
From the commercial point of view, the Group still continued to concentrate not only on Europe and the Mediterranean, but on emerging markets too, such as those of Eastern Europe and the Far and Middle East. Lastly, the American market continues to be a strategic area for the Group which, following the acquisition of the assets, brands and activities of Allied Marine in August 2008, entered strategically important sector with high added value. These include distribution, after sales assistance services and contributed to further consolidating the Group’s position on the market during this nautical year.
Important projects have also been developed within the sphere of services to the nautical industry of the Group. Ferretti has always been heedful of its Clients’ demand and recently launched “Easea>show”, a permanent exhibition of the Group’s brands’ main yachts, set up at Cattolica Marina. Devised to further enrich the excellence range of services dedicated to its Clients, “Easea>show” is an exclusive, personalized showcase of the Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft and Custom Line fleets which, starting from autumn 2009, will involve all the other Ferretti Group brands, too.
From the business point of view, the Ferretti Group once again confirms its great dynamism, through the presentation in world preview of 3 new yachts: Ferretti 560, Riva 86’ Domino and CRN 43 “Sofico”. After the Festival International de la Plaisance in Cannes, the Ferretti Group will, as usual, be present at the autumn boat shows of Monte Carlo, Genoa and Fort Lauderdale.
“This year, more than in past years, I am truly satisfied to be opening the Festival in Cannes together with our dealers, suppliers, partners and the Italian and international press,” declared Norberto Ferretti, Ferretti Group Chairman and Founder. “The year which has just ended, was a complex one for our Group, but we have overcome it and are now stronger than before. It is important not to stop, to do more and more, continuously renewing ourselves and seizing the increasing technological and organizational challenges that characterize and continue to characterize the nautical industry. Cannes, once again, transmits great emotion. The excitement with which boating lovers and nautical companies await our yachts, confirms the great passion surrounding our products”.
“I am very proud to be here in Cannes and this is the perfect opportunity for me to thank the Chairman and the Group shareholders, once again, for trusting me and for the projects awaiting our group,” commented Salvatore Basile, Ferretti Group CEO, during the traditional Ferretti Group Meeting at the opening of the Cannes boat show. “Now we can look towards the future with more confidence, also due to the significant commitment and constant devotion and passion, which have always characterized the Ferretti Group. International growth, technological excellence and greater and greater attention to Clients and services are key factors for consolidating our leadership and enabling us to look confidently to the future. We are united by the common commitment and passion of a Group, which does not want simply to satisfy its Clients demand but, rather, to make them pleased to have chosen our product”.
3 WORLD PREMIERES ON DISPLAY IN CANNES:
Ferretti 560
Ferretti Yachts introduces Ferretti 560, a model which represents the “yacht (r)evolution” conceived to enable owners to experience a new feeling of life on board. Through this new model, the shipyard aims to consolidate and continue the evolution process of the flybridge range under 63 feet. Over the past two years, this renewal has involved the launch of new yachts which have become “icons” of innovation in design, such as Ferretti 470, Ferretti 510 and Ferretti 592.
Result of the working relationship between Ferretti Group’s Advanced Yacht Technology and Studio Zuccon International Project, Ferretti 560 embodies all the shipyard’s precious elements of design tradition with a new evolution which could be identified in three key-elements: innovative space-design of the lower deck layout; painstaking care over detail featured in contemporary style décor elements; and a new, exclusive, window design to enhance natural light on board. As a result, Ferretti 560 is a unique yacht in her category, created to meet the demands of clients of any age, and offering the highest standards of liveability through a combination of wide spaces, high quality materials, comfort and performance.
The position of the galley at stern makes it possible to create an all-in-one open space connecting cockpit-galley and salon in order to optimize liveability.
Great attention has been paid to the area below deck: the master cabin has been positioned in the centre of the yacht, covering the total width of the hull, and is lit by two large open-view windows. The master head has a separate shower and large window and portholes that can be opened. For the other guests on board, Ferretti 560 offers a double cabin in the bow with head, and a twin cabin with a dual-access head.
Ferretti 560 has been conceived with a contemporary design&decor style. Painstaking care has been taken over detail, maintaining a perfect balance between the functionality and style research of the materials to achieve a highly elegant result.
The bleached oak wood enhances the brightness of the spaces featuring refined colour contrasts created by the warm tones of the details in wood or leather, such as the ceiling coverings, bed-perimeter, curtain-case or headboard decorations that mix lights and materials.
Ferretti 560 features twin MAN V8-900 engines which drive the yacht to a cruise speed of 28 knots and a top speed of 32.
Riva 86’ Domino
Some products are developed with the precise aim of carrying out a function. Others go far beyond this. Riva’s new 86’ Domino is one of these.
The clean, winning lines of this 26 metre open, designed as usual by Mauro Micheli and his team at Officina Italiana Design, immediately impress anyone laying their eyes on her for the first time. Her well-balanced beauty is shown in her special personality, through which the aggressiveness which characterises all Riva opens transpires. This model is enhanced by the new Metallic Ice colour hull and deckhouse, creating a spectacular, high-impact effect.
Designed mainly for owners who love sporty lines which in no way affect the yacht’s style, the new Riva 86’ Domino is an evolution of the 63’ Vertigo and 68’ Ego Super models. Guests can enjoy much more space, and a number of different areas for socialising, characteristics which make this yacht ideal for both long cruises and daily life on board.
The sundeck is perfectly integrated into the upper part of the deckhouse, so that it cannot be perceived from outside. It features a second steering position, ideal for mooring manoeuvres, and a sunpad with a reclining back which can accommodate 3 guests.
The closed, air-conditioned upper salon, creates an open space area with the dinette, and is separated from the helm station by a large LCD television. This solution guarantees the passage of natural light both through the large side windows and the windshield, fully lighting this area.
The special design of the large window in correspondence with the full beam master cabin located amidships follows the surfaces of the hull, integrating into it perfectly and ensuring as much light as possible in this environment. The VIP cabin, with en-suite head, is located at bow, whilst two twin-bedded guest cabins with en-suite heads, are located between this and the master cabin. The portside guest cabin also features a system of sliding beds on tracks that makes it possible to transform it into a second, double-bedded cabin.
Fitted with twin 2435 hp MTU engines and a system for managing and controlling all on board functions, Riva’s new 86’ Domino guarantees an excellent performance and total sailing comfort, reaching a top speed of 38 knots and a cruise speed of 34.
CRN 43 “Sofico”
‘Sofico’ is a 43 metre dislocation-design maxiyacht featuring a “sand of the desert” coloured hull, measuring 43 metres in length and 8.6 metres in width. She can sail comfortably at a top speed of 15.5 knots and a cruising speed of 13, easily accommodating 10 passengers and 9 crew members.
Designed through the working relationship between the technical staff at CRN and Zuccon International Project, she has four decks and a bulbous hull.
The interior furnishings and décor of “Sofico” feature elegant, linear Art Déco motifs. The focussed, modern, style of the shape of the yacht is combined with masterful use of multiple materials, combined in an admirably rational manner, such as the parquet flooring interspersed with ample inlays of silk carpeting and found on all the decks.
Throughout the yacht, two varieties of valuable woods, both with a polished finish, are mixed and matched: canaletto walnut is used in all the day areas set aside for guests, while light-hued, natural cherry wood has been chosen for the cabins.
The functional, elegant lounge on the main deck leads to a covered cockpit astern. The owner has furnished the conversation area with smart couches upholstered in stripy silk velvet by Fendi, as well as comfortable, elegantly shaped armchairs. The dining area houses a large ebony table finished in gold leaf, where guests can dine and relax comfortably. Framing the setting is a large bookcase lined with crocodile skin and a decorative panel produced in the tradition of the finest Futurist art.
“Sofico” has some of the features most admired by CRN owners everywhere, such as the Technogym workout room and the sauna at stern on the lower deck, plus a fitness and wellness area connected directly to the sea thanks to a stern hatch that can be transformed into a swimming platform which lowers itself practically flush with the water. The classic balcony of the owner’s suite is fitted out with comfortable armchairs and a coffee table, making it ideal for an exclusive breakfast at sea, even when the ship is cruising.
The navigating comfort and pleasure offered by these performance levels is further enhanced by twin CATERPILLAR C32-C engines and “zero speed” stabilisers.