Azimut-Benetti Group bucks the trend

Since the beginning of the year, the turnover of Azimut-Benetti Group, for the last 40 years one of the world's leaders in the luxury nautical market, has shown an increase of 20 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The optimism at the headquarters in Avigliana is also due to the healthy state of the orders portfolio: at March 30 (just over halfway through the nautical year which ends in August) the group has orders for 90 per cent of its budget, approximately 50 per cent more than at the same date last year.

In terms of end customer sales, this translates into approximately 250 yachts sold, as against just over 150 in the same period last year. This is proof that, after a year of stagnation, the nautical market has regained confidence and that customers are buying once again, although only from shipyards that guarantee solidity and product innovation, the company said.

Given the equity of the company, equal to €300 million, the solidity of the group is evident and, against a background of widespread financial instability in the sector, it confirms its leadership even more forcefully.

"We are witnessing a reversal in trends and, although we must necessarily be cautious, we are optimistic that the worst is over for Azimut-Benetti," chairman Paolo Vitelli said.

The strength of the group is further testified by the recent launch of the new Azimut Grande line, a flagship fleet which in addition to the 120 SL - which will be ready shortly - will comprise a further three models between 100 and 126 feet, and renewal of the Benetti Class line with seven new models ranging from 90 to 164 feet.

Azimut-Benetti is the leading and most prestigious builder of mega yachts in the world. The group, which owns the Azimut Yachts, Benetti and Atlantis brands, each targeting a specific area of the nautical market, and Fraser Yachts, a leader brand in the services sector, operates in 67 countries through a sales network of 138 offices.