Azimut Benetti Announces Closer Synergy Under New CEO

Marco Valle has been in the position of new Group CEO since September 1st, taking on the role after over 25 years of experience working in sales positions for Azimut Yachts and most recently as the CEO. He has been selected by the owners, the Group announced, with the aim of creating synergies and developing ever-better efficiencies between the two brands. 

The press conference was kicked off by reflecting on the past year, including of course the tumult caused by the pandemic. Despite the obvious turbulence and uncertainty of the period, it was reported that Azimut Benetti has seen a remarkable season of success both here in Europe and across the pond in the USA. With over 30 Azimut units sold by the brand’s dealer MarineMax and Benetti closing 10 sales contracts during the lockdown period, it is evident that even the COVID-19 crisis has not prevented the group’s commercial resilience. 

Azimut Benetti is seeing the year off in a stronger financial situation than last year, and although the global health situation remains as yet unstable with the cancellation of the major yacht shows, has ensured the delivery of all of its orders with thanks to high levels of precautions and flexibility on behalf of its staff.

And that’s not all, as Executive VP Giovanna Vitelli announced: 

“With an increase in units sold – 56 to date – we once again reasserted our leadership in the market of yachts measuring over 24 metres long.

The appointment of Marco Valle fixes an inconsistency in our reality that over time had brought Benetti and Azimut to behave more as cousins than as brothers. Both brands are now ready for a new dynamic of heightened exchange and optimisation. Marco, with his strategic, broad-range vision, his ability to promote teamwork, his knowledge of the market and, above all, his commercial intuition, is the right man to make this step.”

Valle took the stage to introduce an expanded model range, from 30 to 35 models, for the group, bringing the Collections from 8 to 10 with a new luxury explorer category, B.Yond and the Oasis. 

“This will allow us to continue serving our international clientele with even greater accuracy, meeting their demands with a range that not only offers yachts from 12 to over 100 metres long, but also makes it possible to choose from very different and assorted styles of navigation and experiences on board,” Marco Valle explained. 

An array of accomplished designers have been collaborating with Azimut Benetti on the 9 new models which will be presented in the 18 months to come, including Ken Freivokh, Giorgio M. Cassetta, Enrico Bonetti, Adrian Chisnell of RWD and Alberto Mancini. 

The versatility of the Azimut Benetti range is reflected in this variety. From longstanding successful collaborations such as that with Ken Freivokh on the Magellano 30 Metri, to new partnerships like that with Enrico Bonetti, who was chosen to offer a fresh outlook on the Oasis 40m interiors as his first yacht project. 

Azimut looks forward to launching the new Trideck and Flybridge 43 next January, and celebrated the debut of the Magellano 30 Metri in Portofino along with the new Verve 42 and the Magellano 66.

Benetti meanwhile is busy with a long order book for the successful Oasis 40m; of which 11 units had already been sold by the time the first hull was delivered. We also look forward to bringing our readers more news of the Motopanfilo model in October.