A sector of excellence for the Marche region

‘Il Bello e Ben Fatto (“Beautiful and Well Made”) – Made in Marche’ consisted in two intense days, between Fano and Ancona, dedicated to reflecting on the future of the boating industry and the area’s entrepreneurial excellences, with the aim of enhancing a sector that combines manufacturing, design, innovation, and tourism.

This event was conceived and promoted by the Marche Yachting and Cruising Association with the support of ATIM – Agenzia per il Turismo e l’Internazionalizzazione delle Marche, the Municipality of Fano, the Port System Authority of the Middle Adriatic and the patronage of RAI.

An engine of growth

The first day included a conference organised at the Sala della Concordia of the Municipality of Fano, which offered a discussion between institutions, entrepreneurs, and representatives of the local shipbuilding industry.

“The boating industry is one of the most important areas of our territory and our city”, began Luca Serfilippi, the mayor of Fano. “It is an engine of growth, which is why we are committed to investing, to building structures to make the sector evolve. The dredging of the port is a need that cannot be postponed. We are ready to build the boat road, a hard-fought work on which work will resume in September. We appreciate the Marche Yachting & Cruising Association because it serves to create a team”.

An associative activity

Vincenzo Garofalo, President of the Port Authority, reiterated the importance of an associative activity capable of facilitating the work of the institutions and creating new districts and synergies.

“The Marche region cannot do without a production sector like boating, which is representative of the region’s excellence, not only in terms of turnover” Garofalo pointed out. “Skills and abilities come together in every product of the shipyards; customisation, luxury and technology are taken to high levels and constitute fundamental elements in the yards’ activities. In 1988 there were only a few establishments in our region, today the number of establishments dedicated to boating has expanded. We are considering growth towards the sea, freeing up areas of the Old Port, to give space in terms of port facilities. We must also extend the industrial part. Among our wishes is to enhance the port system from Falconara to Vasto”.

How to meet evolving labour needs

Stefano Aguzzi, Regional Councillor for Employment, highlighted the Marche Region’s interest in financing training initiatives to meet evolving labour needs, including in the nautical sector.

“As Marche Region, we carry out activities of comparison with the business world, to identify which figures are needed by the labour market, which are the needs of those in search of qualified personnel”, Aguzzi explained. “Marche has been the Italian region in first place for the use of European funds since 2024. We recently financed an 800-hour course for 20 students who will be engaged in the world of work. 88% of those who attend the courses find a job within a year of the end of the course, while 96% of those who do not find a job right away manage to get a job later on in roles that are in tune with what they have studied”.

Courses for nautical electricians and carpentry operators, specialising in yacht building materials, are in the pipeline.

Focus on training

Donatella D’Amico, head of the Regional School Office, emphasised the importance of creating a network that will underpin the future of many young people.

“The school is proposing an innovative pathway”, said D’Amico, “that of the 4 + 2 chain, so defined because the five years commonly understood as the technical-professional institute pathway are reduced to 4, giving young people who obtain their high school diploma the chance to choose whether to finish their studies, enrol in university, or continue by adding another two years, thanks to the ITS, following training courses aimed at entering the world of work. Many projects concern the nautical sector, and yachting in particular”.

Technology, marketing, design, and yacht fittings are among the areas being considered.

Universities and companies

Maurizio Minossi, president of the Marche Yachting & Cruising Association and moderator of the event, asked Marco D’Orazio, pro-rector of the Marche Polytechnic University, how the Region benefits from having an efficient polytechnic university in the areas of engineering and economics. They also discussed the benefits that universities can bring to companies that bring challenges and innovation, such as those in the nautical sector, enabling students to enter the world of work.

“Being part of an association is beneficial because it promotes the sharing of skills and knowledge and allows you to collaborate on research activities to further grow the sector” said D’Orazio. “As a polytechnic university, participating in activities with the association helps us to adapt the course of study to minimise the risk of starting counter-cyclical processes. We also reasoned about the possibility of creating a pathway to train a dedicated figure in the nautical field, but we realised that it is better to work together on many parallel fronts, i.e. the mechanical, electronic and architectural industrial fields”.

The ability to make ecosystem and to internationalise

The second part of the conference gave space to entrepreneurial testimonials in the yachting area.

Stewart Parvin, CEO of Cantiere Rossini, emphasised the importance of bringing the Marche region’s yachting industry to the world. “Le Marche is an important region for the yachting sector. It is essential to promote collaboration and the ability to make ecosystem and to internationalise” he said.

Mario Pedone of Italia Yachts recalled that the company was born in Venice but moved to the Marche region in 2022: “We chose this region because of the presence of entrepreneurs active in the nautical sector, with whom we can collaborate to expand the design and production of our yachts. We have adapted a plant that was already used in production and shipbuilding to our needs”.

The next step is to improve the draught in the port of Fano, “which is a limitation for larger sailing yachts. From our point of view, it is important to focus on a receptive-type infrastructure, on user-friendly marinas, capable of becoming a reference point not only for launching boats, but also for sea trials and nautical tourism”.

The ability of entrepreneurs to come together

For Fabio Fraternale, Wider’s managing director, ‘Made in Marche’ is also a valuable element in the nautical field. “In this sector, in the 1990s, shipyards began to merge in order to pursue initiatives that would benefit the entire sector”, Fraternale recounted. “One strength lies in the ability of entrepreneurs, and those who represent them, to come together: being part of an association is a useful way to achieve the desired result. It is important that the association shares moments that are fundamental to business development, so that the world in which we operate can evolve, overcoming individualistic barriers that can be an obstacle”.

Fabrizio Iarrera, CEO of Silent Yachts, told the story of an international company (now owned by Americans) that achieved internationalisation through the development of projects derived from work in other Italian districts. Today, said company is moving in the right direction, promoting the Made in Italy brand of the Marche region and distinguishing itself for its solidity, stability and highly appreciated international image.

Working in an environmentally sustainable way

Maurizio Testuzza, owner of Adria Sail, stressed the importance of working in an environmentally sustainable way.

“Today, fibreglass represents 20% of our production”, he explained. “Initially, we concentrated on fibreglass, then we diverted to outfitting. I want to remember Carlo Moschini, the engineer who brought fibreglass to Italian shipbuilding; I continued in his footsteps, bringing the innovation gained from international experience, such as the America’s Cup. The technologies that were considered innovative in the 1990s are now used by the entire local shipbuilding industry to create a technically advanced product. An important aspect is that we have created a cleaner working environment, because fibreglass, often seen as an ‘evil beast’, can be tamed. We use very sophisticated systems to limit fumes in the environment, with active carbon, which makes the outgoing air almost cleaner than the incoming air”.

The owner of Adria Sail also emphasised the importance of solving problems at the landscape level, also for safety issues, and the need to focus on training and cooperation.

Made in Marche: beautiful and well-made

During the second day of the event organised by the Marche Yachting and Cruising Association, discussions were held on enhancing the territory, training, and creating synergies between companies

Enhancing the territory of the Marche region and promoting those companies that bring excellence but also tourism, which is often not adequately considered. These were two of the main topics that formed the backdrop to the talk show, held at the brand new Fano Marine Center, during the second day of the event “Il Bello e Ben Fatto – Made in Marche”.

Conducted by RAI journalist Manuela Moreno, the meeting gave voice to some key figures of Marche and national entrepreneurship. Passionate and profound speeches offered valuable insights on strategic vision, territory valorisation, identity and future.

Entrepreneurial vision

Tilli Antonelli, the innovator and founder of Pershing, recalled his beginnings in the world of regattas, with Raul Gardini with the Moro di Venezia and then with the purchase of a local shipyard for sailing boats together with 2 friends. He also emphasised the urgency of a bolder and more creative outlook for the future of the Marche’s nautical industry.

“In Fano, I met 2 other people who wanted to start something new” recalled Antonelli. “This led to the creation of Cantiere Navale L’Adriatico, which built sailing boats. We carried out various activities, including refitting, and that’s how Pershing was born. At the time, fast boats were narrow, small and very noisy. That’s why we wanted to offer boats with different characteristics, such as ample interior space, comfort, attractive design and quietness.”

In Marche, Antonelli said he found a magnificent land and people with a desire to work. “However, sometimes there is a lack of entrepreneurial vision. It is difficult to find entrepreneurs who want to challenge themselves by finding the courage and imagination to do”.

Fuel for recreational boating

Over time, the nautical sector has evolved. Attention to the use of environmentally friendly materials has grown, but the issue of propulsion and pollution still remains.

“In this context, it is a huge mistake to compare a merchant ship to a yacht. Many regulations that apply to commercial vessels have been applied to recreational boats, and there is no logic in this” said Antonelli.

“It is also important to identify a suitable propulsion system. However, there cannot be just one, because the types of boats that exist are very different from each other, so it will be important to be able to choose the most suitable propulsion system. I cannot say what the future holds for fuel for recreational boating. Work is being done to improve it, although we are still a long way from having a system that does not produce fine particles or other pollutants.”

Customised and on-demand furniture

Federica Cantori, Cantori’s Head of Marketing & Communcation, comes from a company based in Camerano (Ancona), which has been active in the furniture sector for some 50 years and has also been involved in nautical textiles for 20 years.

“Our aim is to make beautiful and well-made products”, said Federica Cantori. “To achieve this, we value the network of local craftsmen who employ skills and intelligence alongside their labour. Each step in the production process helps us to create a unique and often customised object, since we make customised products to order. Customization is in high demand when it comes to furnishings for the nautical sector”.

The value of Craftsmanship

“The nautical sector is a very challenging one, requiring specific workmanship and materials”, continued Federica Cantori. “We work mainly with shipyards from the Marche region, but we are open to all”.

The craftsmen working in the furniture industry are getting older. “They are often 70-year-olds with golden hands and hearts of 20-year-olds” who are struggling to find the heir who will be able to carry on the business.

“Craftsmanship is undervalued in schools, but it is a sector of great culture; working with your hands is an art form”, said Federica Cantori. “In relation to the ageing workforce, it is essential to find new blood. Therefore, training experts are needed who can introduce young people to haute couture, upholstery and high-quality carpentry”.

Excellence in all sectors

Excellence in the Marche region is not limited to the nautical sector. Based in Fabriano (Ancona), the Elica Group has been active for over 50 years in the design and manufacture of cooking appliances and now has offices in various countries around the world.

“The priority for a boat is that it sails well, consumes little fuel and handles the sea well; Beauty is something extra, which further enhances the value of the boat” said Francesco Casoli, president of Elica. “In our sector – that of cooker hoods and kitchen appliances – we bring design, but not only that.” An object that is aesthetically beautiful must be thoroughly engineered and provide high-efficiency performance.

According to Casoli, production methods are changing significantly today, and automation is also helping craftsmanship to evolve. It is therefore important to invest in both culture and technology to enable the sector to grow. The president of Elica also emphasised the need to create entrepreneurial ecosystems within the region based on sharing, listening and humility: ecosystems in which companies from different sectors can contribute their experience.

Even though a region like Marche constitutes about 2% of the whole of Italy, it has different and strong sectors that, by dialoguing with each other, can bring added value.

Communication

Gian Luca Gregori, Rector of the Marche Polytechnic University, presented the ‘Marche model’ as an example of synergy between institutions, universities and companies, emphasising the results achieved in terms of educational offerings and international attractiveness.

According to Gregori, in order to further enhance the Marche region, it is essential to make it attractive by highlighting its positive characteristics, including in terms of training, employment and security opportunities.

“At the university, degree courses have increased from 50 to 73”, said the Rector of the Università Politecnica delle Marche. “We also offer interdisciplinary courses, for example on digitalisation and artificial intelligence applied to areas such as healthcare, economics, and agriculture. The number of freshmen has risen from 4800 to 5500, and freshmen from abroad have also increased”.

Synergies

The University has worked to bring new realities to the Marche region and to encourage collaboration with companies. “Working together is essential; we have created a university foundation dedicated to the development of entrepreneurial activity”. It is necessary to establish an appropriate integration strategy between the university system and the territory, creating groups capable of positively influencing institutions.

Marina Santucci, Director of ATIM, reiterated the importance of continuous promotion and the creation of a network of ambassadors capable of presenting the region in an authentic way.

“We can start with events like this, which highlight how the Marche region can also make itself known through its regional producers,” said Santucci. “As Marche residents, we must be aware of our region’s potential, which can also be realised thanks to the businesses operating in the area”.

READ ABOUT THE VISIT AT THE SHIPYARDS HERE.