Ferretti was established in 1968, the year in which brothers Alessandro and Norberto Ferretti founded the first nautical division of the family company, a showroom for Lancia, Autobianchi, Maserati and Lamborghini in Bologna. They obtain the rights to represent Chris Craft (motorboats produced in the United States) and start to sell boats with the “Ferretti Nautica” in Bologna.
In 1971, Ferretti produces its very first wooden motor sailer, i.e. a craft, measuring 10 metres in length, equipped with both a sail and an engine, that will be presented with great success at the Genoa Boat Show that year.
In 1975 Ferretti inaugurates the San Giovanni in Marignano shipyard, an important productive center. Given the strong success of the Ferretti boats, the Ferretti brothers decide to abandon the automotive sector and to entirely commit themselves in the boating industry. Norberto Ferretti takes care of the design and production side, whereas Alessandro deals with the commercial side.
In 1982, Ferretti presented its very first yacht fitted with an engine only, and started building sport fisherman, open and flybridge craft.
The Ferretti brothers decide to gradually reduce the production of motorsailers and to invest more in motorboats. This is an important and shrewd decision, destined to lead the company to a great success. Ferretti presents several new models to the public which make the Ferretti name known throughout Italy and Europe for high product quality, exclusive design and competent service.
In 1987 Ferretti inaugurates the new “Ferretti” shipyards in Forlì, where today the headquarters of Ferretti holding is still located. In the ‘87/88 season the Ferretti shipyards manage to produce and sell over 100boats.
Research in the area of advanced technology led to establishment of the Engineering Division in 1989, a centre specialised in designing new yachts produced in series and researching new materials. It also marked Ferretti’s initial participation in Offshore competitions. Directly involving Norberto Ferretti as driver, participation led to victories in the World Offshore Championships Class 1 in 1994 and 1997 and the European Championships in 1995 and 1997, enabling the company to apply the results of the technological research carried out for sports competitions to production in series.
In the early 90s Ferretti asserted itself as one of the leading companies in the production of flybridge yachts measuring up to 25 metres.
Extension of the range and success at sporting events supported Ferretti Group’s internationalisation process. In 1993, Ferretti of America, Inc. was founded to market motoryachts in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and the Caribbean. Ferretti of America collaborated with the sales network already present in Greece, France, Spain, Germany and Great Britain, increasing the impact of Ferretti sales abroad.
In 1994, Ferretti began an international marketing process by creating a strategic network of dealers outside Europe.
During the second half of the 90s, after institutional investors acquired a share in the capital, an expansion strategy for external lines was started through the well-targeted acquisition of companies producing top of the range motoryachts.
In 1996, Ferretti began operating in the segment of yachts with fibreglass flybridges, measuring 28 to 40 metres in length through Custom Line S.p.A.
In 1998, the group purchased Cantieri Navali dell’Adriatico – CNA S.r.l., specialised in building open type motor boats with prestigious Pershing brand, which add excellent liveability of the different areas on a yacht, both indoors and out, and guarantee high performance.
During the same year, with the acquisition of American company Bertram Yacht, Inc. – Miami shipyard and owner of one of the most famous brands in the world – Ferretti set itself as one of the top players on the international market, also within the sphere of the sport fisherman type craft.
In order to further complete the range of yachts offered to its clientele, in 1999 Ferretti purchased C.R.N. S.p.A., a shipyard specialising in the production of luxury steel megayachts, with aluminium superstructures, measuring over 30 metres in length.
In the year 2000, Ferretti purchased 100% of the capital of Riva S.p.A., one of the best known and most exclusive shipyards in the world, today producer of luxury fibreglass craft measuring 10 to 35 metres in length, both flybridge and open.
In June 2000, with the aim of further consolidating its growth and development process, Ferretti decided to dock at the Official Italian Stock Exchange (MTA). In 2001, the company was admitted to the STAR segment (High Requisite Share Segment) of Borsa Italiana.
In May 2001, head company Ferretti S.p.A. acquired some assets from the Oram shipyard in La Spezia, where the new Riva production area would subsequently be built.
In August 2001, Ferretti finalised an agreement for the acquisition of the Apreamare S.p.A. shipyards in Sorrento, market leader in the production of gozzo sorrentino boats measuring 7 to 16 metres.
In November 2001 acquisition of the Mochi Craft S.r.l. shipyard in Pesaro was finalised.
In 2002, the group took over Diesse Arredamenti, in order to acquire new skills in the nautical furnishings sector which is complementary to its yacht building activity.
In line with this strategy, in 2002 the group also finalised acquisition of Cantiere Navale Mario Morini in Ancona, which enabled CRN to extend its production capacity, and of Zago S.p.A., an Italian company operating within the sphere of high profile wooden manufactured pieces and furnishings.
Between June 2002 and January 2003, the Ferretti management team and institutional investors present among shareholders (Permira), decided to launch a Voluntary Public Tender Offer to acquire the entire share capital of the Company, with the aim of further expanding the group through acquisitions and a precise strategic, national and international plan.
In 2004, through Pershing, Ferretti acquired the Itama shipyard, a prestigious set up specialised in the construction of open motoryachts, completing the current definition of the group’s nine brands.
In 2008 Ferretti Group acquired the assets, brands and activities of Allied Richard Bertram Marine Group. This American company specializes in After Sales service and mark eting of both new and pre-owned motor yachts, as well as brokerage services. This new acquisition has further strengthened Ferretti Group’s position in the American market, enabling it to strategically enter important sectors with a high added value, such as distribution and After Sales assistance services.
In 2010, with the aim of continuing to focus on its core business and better respond to the requests of its Clients, the Ferretti Group sold its 60% share in the capital of Pinmar S.L., a Spanish company specializing in painting mega-yachts, 100% of Apreamare S.p.A. and the nautical pole of Torre Annunziata (Naples).
Today the Group’s equity is held by Norberto Ferretti and the management (38,2%), Mediobanca (8.8%), and senior and mezzanine lenders (for a total of 53% in exit participation rights). In particular, Norberto Ferretti, the group’s management and Mediobanca hold 100% of the Group’s voting rights.
