At the new prestigious Sanlorenzo Superyacht headquarters, result of the well-planned intervention by Studio Lissoni Associati, whose collaboration with the shipyard led to the creation of unique interior designs of some yachts and the new Sanlorenzo stands at the Boat shows, the board of directors approved the 2018 balance sheet and the 2019 budget on January 14th.
Record numbers were reported for the historic brand which ended 2018 with a turnover of 380 million, an increase of 27% compared to 2017 and a forecast for 2019 of more than 20% further growth. A very realistic forecast based on a backlog of 500 million between 2019 and 2020.
An important point on the agenda for the meeting was also the presentation by President Massimo Perotti of an ambitious strategic plan with which the Group enters a new phase of expansion.
Thanks to the recent reacquisition of full control of Sanlorenzo Spa, through the buyback, just before Christmas, of 23% of the shareholding, held by the Chinese Sundiro Holding, which followed a few months the repurchase of the 16% held by Fondo Italiano di Investimento, Massimo Perotti also presented a plan structured in various directions that aims to fully express the growth potential of the company and its subsidiaries.
Potential that can count on the robust consolidation of the company that occurred in recent years. Sanlorenzo has indeed counted on the recovery of the market by continuing to invest even in times of crisis and allocating a total of 100 million in new models, production capacity and brand positioning.
The presented plan establishes expansion through both the internal growth of the core business, which will be strengthened and implemented, as well as external growth, with new acquisitions.
In particular, the first model of the Sanlorenzo Open Coupé line is already in preparation, a segment in which the brand believes it can provide a strong renewal momentum and major investments with addition of new lines are envisaged for the Bluegame brand, which joined the Group last year. The expansion will be accelerated by acquisitions allowing diversification and expansion of the Group’s offering, currently under consideration of the company’s top management. With an interest in providing a global proposal to the customer, the creation of a business unit dedicated to new innovative initiatives borrowed from more advanced sectors is also planned.
As explained by the President to the members of the Board, the realization of an expansion plan like the one presented, requires not only impressive economic investments but above all a structured managerial organization to meet the new challenges. With this goal, some fundamental decisions have already been made.
Ferruccio Rossi, former Managing Director, assumes the position of CEO of Sanlorenzo Spa. He is also appointed President of Sanlorenzo Superyachts, the company division dedicated to metal models over 40 meters, which in recent years have recorded particularly significant production volumes and a significant increase in revenue.
Carla Demaria, recently co-opted by the Board of Directors of Sanlorenzo Spa, is entrusted with the development of the new business opportunities envisaged by the plan and the current extra-core business activities of Sanlorenzo. In particular, she assumes the position of CEO of Bluegame.
Carla Demaria, current President UCINA (Italian Marine Industry Association), has worked for more than twenty years in the Azimut Benetti Group until reaching the top as a member of the Steering Committee and Chairman of the subsidiary Atlantis Spa. In the last ten years she has been President of Monte Carlo Yachts, developed from the ground up in just a few years during the worst post-war economic crisis, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the French group Beneteau listed on the Paris stock exchange, where she held the position of General Director of the Beneteau brand.
“I consider the strategic plan approved by the Sanlorenzo board both highly ambitious and realistic. The steps in the direction of strengthening the organizational structure, through the acquisition of consolidated managerial experiences and greater delegation, make me confident that we will succeed in meeting our objectives ” Massimo Perotti declared.
