Ferretti Group

Ferretti Group is an Italian multinational shipbuilding group specializing in the design, construction and sale of luxury motor yachts, sailing yachts and superyachts. Its principal base is in Forlì, Italy, while its manufacturing and commercial activities extend across several Italian shipyards, the United States and international dealer and representative networks. The group serves private owners, charter operators and other high-net-worth customers with boats ranging from relatively compact open and sport yachts to highly customized vessels of approximately 90 metres. The business began in 1968 when brothers Alessandro and Norberto Ferretti expanded their family’s automotive activities into boating. Initially the company represented the American Chris-Craft brand and operated a marine retail business. It built its first boat in 1971 using the hull of a fishing boat, and by the middle of the 1970s had left the automotive business to concentrate on boatbuilding. During the 1980s Ferretti increasingly focused on motorboats, including sport-fisherman, open and flybridge designs, while developing engineering capabilities and production infrastructure. The opening of the Forlì facility in 1987 established the location that later became the group’s headquarters. From the 1990s onward, Ferretti pursued international distribution and an acquisition-led expansion strategy. It added Custom Line, Pershing, Bertram, CRN, Riva, Apreamare, Mochi Craft, Itama and other marine or yacht-services businesses at different points. These transactions broadened the group from a single yacht marque into a multi-brand house covering performance boats, classic luxury yachts, custom composite yachts, large steel and aluminium superyachts, brokerage, after-sales services and specialist yacht furnishings. Some acquired businesses were subsequently divested, including Bertram Yacht, Apreamare and Pinmar. Ferretti’s ownership and capital structure changed repeatedly. The company was associated with Permira and later Candover during periods of private-equity ownership and was listed on the Italian market before leaving that market in 2003. After the global financial crisis, Shandong Heavy Industry Group, now associated with Weichai, acquired a controlling interest in 2012. Ferretti later returned to public markets through a Hong Kong listing in March 2022 and was also listed on the Italian Stock Exchange in June 2023. The group’s controlling Chinese industrial shareholder has provided a strategic link between Italian yacht design and manufacturing capabilities and wider international industrial and distribution resources. The current portfolio includes Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, CRN, Custom Line and Wally. Ferretti Yachts covers flybridge yachts and the longer-range INFYNITO concept; Riva combines heritage styling with contemporary yachts and superyachts; Pershing emphasizes high-performance sport yachts; Itama is associated with open yachts and deep-V hulls; CRN builds individually configured large yachts; Custom Line focuses on composite superyachts; and Wally adds carbon-intensive sailing and motor-yacht design. In addition, the group has pursued vertical integration in yacht interiors, metalwork, production capacity, refitting and sales support. Its positioning rests on Italian design, craftsmanship, technological development, customization and premium performance.

Ferretti Group traces its origins to 1968, when Alessandro and Norberto Ferretti moved their family business into boating after obtaining Italian representation for Chris-Craft. The brothers opened a marine retail operation and soon began developing their own boats. In 1971, the company presented its first self-built boat at the Genoa Boat Show. By 1975, the family had abandoned its automotive activities and established a dedicated shipyard at San Giovanni in Marignano. During the 1980s, Ferretti concentrated on motorboats and expanded into sport-fisherman, open and flybridge formats. It opened its Forlì shipyard in 1987 and established a dedicated engineering direction in 1989 to develop new models, production methods and materials. The company also built a sporting profile through offshore powerboat competition; Norberto Ferretti won a Class 1 world championship in 1994, with a further team title following in 1997. Alessandro Ferretti died in 1996, but the business continued its expansion under professional and institutional ownership. International dealer development began in 1994. In the second half of the decade, the group used acquisitions to enter adjacent luxury-yacht segments. Custom Line was created in 1996 for larger composite flybridge yachts. Ferretti acquired Pershing-related assets through Cantieri Navali dell’Adriatico in 1998 and bought Bertram Yacht in the United States in the same period. CRN, a specialist in large customized yachts, joined the group in 1999. Riva was acquired in 2000, adding one of the world’s best-known heritage yacht names and expanding Ferretti’s presence in premium open, sportfly, flybridge and superyacht products. The group continued acquiring production and service capabilities in the early 2000s. It purchased or took control of businesses connected with Riva, Apreamare, Mochi Craft, yacht furnishings, painting, refitting and large-yacht capacity. Itama joined through Pershing in 2004, while Allied Marine was acquired in 2008 to strengthen United States sales, brokerage and after-sales services. The company also disposed of selected activities, including Pinmar in 2009, Apreamare in 2010 and Bertram in 2015, as it refocused on its core brand portfolio. Ownership changed substantially after the financial crisis. In January 2012, Shandong Heavy Industry Group-Weichai Power acquired 58 percent of Ferretti Group for €374 million, according to the cited historical account, while the company carried substantial debt. Management was retained under the new shareholder. Piero Ferrari acquired a minority stake in 2016, while Weichai remained the majority owner. Ferretti returned to profitability after a period of restructuring and continued investing in larger yachts and brand development. The company introduced a reorganized Ferretti brand structure in 2013, centering on Ferretti Yachts, Custom Line and Ferretti Navetta while retaining its other marques. In 2019, Ferretti acquired Wally, adding a sailing and design-oriented brand founded by Luca Bassani. The group abandoned a planned Milan listing in October 2019 after the proposed offer price was considered too low. It later expanded vertical integration by acquiring majority stakes in yacht-furniture and marine-component suppliers Massello and Fratelli Canalicchio in 2022. Ferretti listed in Hong Kong in March 2022 and on the Italian Stock Exchange in June 2023. In 2023 it acquired the San Vitale shipyard at Ravenna, intended for Wally sailing yachts and the INFYNITO range. The modern group combines Italian manufacturing sites, international sales operations, a multi-brand product architecture and industrial ownership through Weichai.

1. 2023Ravenna shipyard acquisition

   The San Vitale shipyard in Ravenna is acquired for Wally sailing yachts and the INFYNITO program.

   Source
2. 2022Hong Kong listing and supply-chain acquisitions

   Ferretti Group lists in Hong Kong and acquires majority stakes in Massello and Fratelli Canalicchio.

   Source
3. 2019Wally joins the portfolio

   Ferretti acquires Wally, extending the group into sailing yachts and adding a design-led performance brand.

   Source
4. 2012Weichai acquires control

   Shandong Heavy Industry Group-Weichai Power acquires a controlling stake in Ferretti Group.

   Source
5. 2008Allied Marine is acquired

   Ferretti acquires Allied Marine to expand United States sales, brokerage and after-sales capabilities.

   Source
6. 2004Itama joins Ferretti Group

   Pershing acquires the Itama shipyard and its open-motoryacht brand.

   Source
7. 2000Riva is acquired

   Ferretti purchases Riva, adding the historic Italian luxury-yacht brand to its portfolio.

   Source
8. 1999CRN joins the group

   Ferretti acquires CRN, adding customized large yachts and megayachts built with steel, aluminium and composite expertise.

   Source
9. 1998Pershing and Bertram expansion

   Ferretti acquires the Pershing-associated Cantieri Navali dell’Adriatico and enters the American sport-fisherman segment through Bertram Yacht.

   Source
10. 1996Custom Line is established

    The group enters larger composite flybridge yachts through the Custom Line business.

    Source
11. 1987Forlì shipyard opens

    Ferretti opens the Forlì facility, which later becomes both a major production location and group headquarters.

    Source
12. 1971First self-built boat

    The company launches its first self-built boat and presents it at the Genoa Boat Show.

    Source
13. 1968Ferretti enters the boating industry

    Alessandro and Norberto Ferretti establish the business that would become Ferretti Group and begin commercial activity in boating.

    Source

Luxury Italian design, craftsmanship, customization, performance and advanced yacht engineering

• Ferretti YachtsLuxury motor yachts1968

  The group’s historic yacht brand, offering customizable flybridge yachts and the INFYNITO range. Its products emphasize Italian styling, owner customization, comfort and cruising capability, with the INFYNITO concept drawing on explorer-yacht ideas, stronger continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces and selected sustainability-oriented materials and technologies.

• RivaLuxury yachts and superyachts1842

  A heritage Italian yacht marque founded in the nineteenth century and acquired by Ferretti in 2000. Riva builds open, sportfly, flybridge and superyacht models, combining polished materials and distinctive Italian styling across yachts reported in the source material as ranging from about 8 to 90 metres.

• PershingPerformance sport yachts1985

  Pershing produces high-performance sport yachts with advanced navigation systems and powerful propulsion. Its portfolio has included Fleet, X and Superyacht lines, with the GTX range introduced as a sport-utility-yacht concept. The brand is associated with speed, aggressive styling and performance-oriented handling.

• ItamaOpen motor yachts1969

  Itama is an open-yacht brand founded in Rome and known for deep-V hulls, a strong white-and-blue visual identity and designs intended to combine stability with responsive handling. It became part of Ferretti Group through Pershing in 2004.

• CRNCustom superyachts1963

  CRN designs and constructs individually configured large yachts and megayachts, using aluminium, steel and other materials. The Ancona-based business serves owners seeking bespoke layouts and engineering solutions, with the source material describing vessels reaching approximately 90 metres.

• Custom LineComposite superyachts1996

  Custom Line develops composite superyachts from roughly 30 metres upward. Its Planing, Navetta and aluminium-oriented projects are intended to balance speed, volume, long-distance cruising, personalization and reduced weight or emissions where the construction concept allows.

• WallySailing and motor yachts1994

  Wally joined Ferretti Group in 2019 and contributes a design-led portfolio of sailing yachts, many using carbon-fibre construction, alongside motor yachts. The brand broadens Ferretti’s offer beyond conventional motor-yacht categories and supports the group’s expansion into larger sailing projects.

• 2023Expansion of production capacity at RavennaStrategy

  The group needed additional capacity for larger and more specialized programs, including sailing yachts and the INFYNITO range.

  What changed. Ferretti acquired the San Vitale shipyard in Ravenna and assigned it to Wally sailing yachts and Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO production.

  Aftermath. The transaction added a production site of more than 70,000 square metres according to the cited source.

  Source
• 2019Withdrawal of planned Milan flotationStrategy

  Ferretti had pursued a return to the Milan market, but the proposed offer-price range was reduced during the process.

  What changed. The group abandoned the planned Milan listing in October 2019 after the indicated offer price fell below the initial range.

  Aftermath. Ferretti later pursued and completed a Hong Kong listing in 2022 and a renewed Italian listing in 2023.

  Source
• 2019Acquisition of WallyM&A

  Ferretti Group sought to extend its portfolio into sailing and reinforce its design-led premium positioning.

  What changed. The group acquired Wally, founded by Luca Bassani, in 2019.

  Aftermath. Wally became the group’s sailing-oriented brand and later received production capacity through the Ravenna shipyard allocation.

  Source
• 2012Weichai acquisition of a controlling stakeM&A

  Ferretti Group faced substantial debt and a difficult post-crisis market environment. The cited historical account describes debt of approximately €600 million at the time of the transaction.

  What changed. Shandong Heavy Industry Group-Weichai Power acquired 58 percent of Ferretti Group for €374 million and management was retained.

  Aftermath. The transaction placed the yacht manufacturer under Chinese industrial ownership and supported its subsequent restructuring, product development and international expansion.

  Acquisition value. €374 million (January 2012)

  Source

• 2023Ferretti Group returns to the Italian Stock Exchange

  The group became listed on the Italian Stock Exchange after its Hong Kong listing and renewed presence in Italian public markets.

  Other
  Source
• 2023Ferretti Group acquires Ravenna production site

  The group acquired the San Vitale shipyard in Ravenna and allocated the site to Wally sailing yachts and the Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO range.

  M&AProduct generation
  Source
• 2022Ferretti Group lists on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange

  Ferretti Group completed a public listing in Hong Kong, giving the Italian yacht manufacturer access to Asian capital markets while retaining its industrial base in Italy.

  Other
  Source
• 2012Weichai-linked group acquires controlling stake in Ferretti

  Shandong Heavy Industry Group, associated with Weichai Power, acquired a controlling interest in Ferretti Group during the company’s financial restructuring.

  M&A
  Source

1. Ferretti Group
2. Ferretti Group official website