Nautica Italiana now boasts 103 members

Nautica Italiana new membersNautica Italiana’s Assembly held at Cantieri Riva in Sarnico in mid-December saw yet another increase in the number of members. The Association now counts 103 associated brands, representing the excellence of Italy’s industrial production, services and creativity in the yachting sector. Fincantieri and important Italian design firms are among the new members.

“I’m very proud to welcome Fincantieri today, as one of our new important members who joined Nautica Italiana this year – stated Nautica Italiana’s President Lamberto Tacoli -. This is another confirmation of the attractiveness of the project and the value of the work done. I therefore wish to extend my gratitude to those who have been with us from the very beginning, those who have joined us along the way, contributing with fresh energy and ideas, and those – big and small – who keep believing in our project, proving its great value for our industry, in which we are world leaders in several segments. This is still the main aim of our Association: promoting Italian nautical excellence in the world.”

The strength and authoritativeness of Nautica Italiana’s members have led the Association to modify its organization structure, setting up a new General Management that will be supported by the current General Secretariat, headed by Lorenzo Pollicardo, to work on specific and strategic projects. Nautica Italiana’s current Vice President Marco Cappeddu was thus appointed General Manager, in order to further increase the efficiency of project implementation, offer new and better services to the Association’s members, and represent their interests more systematically through lobbying with the relevant institutions.

The Members’ Assembly was also an opportunity to take stock of the Association’s plans and future objectives. Nautica Italiana confirmed its commitment to its original strategic project, i.e. a national plan for the yachting sector capable of contributing to relaunching the Italian boating industry and nautical tourism sector, its companies, services, and local communities, so as to take this industry back to the reputation it deserves, promoting nautical products and services as the utmost expression of Made in Italy production and excellence.

Nautica Italiana is now implementing a new project aimed at involving leading Italian design firms and designers in order to let them become an active and integral part of the Association, helping it represents excellence at all possible levels and in all possible sectors of the yachting industry: from shipyards to services, from Refit&Repair activities to design and high professionalism, all the way to marinas, leading industrial hubs and regional yachting districts.

As regards laws and institutional matters, the Association has taken important steps forward, introducing some of its representatives, its know-how and professionalism to the Italian Government and Parliament and achieving not only official recognition but also great results like the amendment of the new Nautical Code. Nautica Italiana is thus reiterating its support to the Institutions, especially in the forthcoming months, both with regard to the Electronic Registry and to work on the implementation decrees envisaged by the Code – something really new for the boating sector. Taxation, state-owned areas, concessions and matters to be managed and regulated at a regional/local level along the Italian coasts are all core issues for the Association.

Significant steps have also been taken in the processing of market data, needed to be able to respond to the strong need for clarity and objectivity expressed not only by member companies but also by the media and international operators. The sector survey Market Monitor, carried out by Deloitte on behalf of Nautica Italiana and Altagamma, is taken forward and presented at regular events: Viareggio, during the first edition of the Versilia Yachting Rendez-Vous, and Monaco, at the Monaco Yacht Show, were the two chosen venues in 2017.

The Association is also developing an additional research tool, having a more institutional purpose and aimed at providing a more thorough and long-term picture of the value of related economic activities and the employment generated by the presence and mooring of large yachts along the Italian coasts. This survey will be carried out in cooperation with other sector associations and under the aegis of the main Italian coastal regions.

During the Assembly, two other projects were presented. The first was developed by the marinas segment, which in 2017 focused on tax-related and state-owned areas issues, obtaining court decisions and interpretations that are going to become important references for the entire sector; the second was carried out by the accessories and components segment, to whom the Association confirmed its commitment to supporting members and promote their presence at national and international events.

Sustainability was a core theme in 2017: from the patronage of the One Ocean Forum – an important institutional event promoted by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda – to the signature of the Charta Smeralda, the symbol of international commitment to the protection of the marine environment, all the way to the Association’s strong commitment towards its own members, with the event devoted to this important subject organised by the Bologna Business School, and bound to become a regular occasion to meet.

Nautica Italiana is already working side by side the organizers of the next edition of the Versilia Yachting Rendez-Vous, which will be held in the Viareggio dock area from 10 to 13 May 2018. The Assembly has confirmed the strategic importance of this event, whose success during its zero edition further highlighted the key role it plays in the relaunch of high-end yachting.

A crucial objective for 2018 remains the promotion of Italian excellence not only in the boating sector but also in others, through a strong synergy with Fondazione Altagamma, a true ambassador of Italy’s creativity, at a local level and as a country in its entirety.

Nautica Italiana currently boasts 103 members, representing shipyards and new building (31%), refit (9%), accessories and components (23%), services (25%), marinas (8%) and design (4%). Since July 2017, Nautica Italiana has been joined by Fincantieri (superyacht manufacturing); Castoldi Jet (powerboat builder); Sant’Andrea, Thermowell (accessories); Agenzia Marittima de Felice, Luca Dini Design, FM Architettura d’Interni, MagDesign, Megroup, Officina Italiana Design, Francesco Pazskowski Design, Scuola Nautica Spotornoli, The Branding Crew, Victory Design, Zuccon International Project (services/design); Porto Piccolo (marina).

Besides appointing the new General Manager, the Assembly ratified the new appointment to Vice President for Michele Gavino (Baglietto’s Managing Director and already a Director of Nautica Italiana) and to Director for Claudio Galbo, Fincantieri, and Enrico Sgarbi, Ferretti Group.

The Presidency Commitment, therefore, now includes President Lamberto Tacoli, Vice Presidents Giovanna Vitelli (First Deputy President), Alberto Amico, Cataldo Aprea and Michele Gavino, and Directors Claudio Galbo, Daniele Guidi, Fabio Pesto, Matteo Italo Ratti, Dino Salvemini and Enrico Sgarbi. General Manager Marco Cappeddu, General Secretary Lorenzo Pollicardo.