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Italian Yard Tour 2008
British delegates enjoyed an informative three day visit to six Italian Yards in the Viareggio region. The tour, organised by the British Marine Federation (BMF) and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), kicked off on 19th May with visits to Rossi, Fashion Yachts, Azimut Yachts, Queens Yachts, Riva and Yachtplus.
With 45 per cent of the world’s yachts over 24 meters being produced in Italy, the delegates were provided with an excellent opportunity to see how the Italian market works. The yards targeted gave an insight of both firmly established companies and new players in the field.
This is the first time that the BMF and UKTI have approached the Italian market for a delegate tour, and all involved noted the potential it has to offer. By introducing delegates to new markets, organisers hope to provide contact which may otherwise prove difficult to approach.
The group, accompanied by representatives from the BMF - Tom Chant, International Commercial Manager, Nik Parker, Director of Technical and Rob Stevens Chief Executive - included a variety of UK equipment suppliers such as Bruntons Propellors, CJR Propulsion and Ocean Medical, service providers such as law firm Hill Dickinson, insurance companies such as Underwriting Risk, and design companies represented by BJD. All gained invaluable knowledge of how interconnected yards and sub-contractors can be in Italian Yards, where hulls and superstructures are often sub-contracted for outside companies to manufacture.
Nicholas Stael von Holstein of Ocean Medical International said on the event: “A very useful introduction to the Italian yacht industry, providing a unique insight of the yards, personnel and purchasing process.”
During the course of the tour, delegates were impressed by the organisation and intensity of production at the Azimut Yard in Viareggio and Riva in La Spezia. The group also made a number of valuable contacts, and should now feel better prepared to seek Italian business opportunities.
Christer Johnansson of BJD commented: “I was very impressed by the size and efficiency between yards. It will be a challenge to enter this close environment but new design input will always offer new exciting products and we look forward to offering our interior and exterior design expertise.
Dave Pickering of Servowatch also added: “Another successful mission organised by the BMF. This was a very informative tour incorporating a good range of yard visits and networking opportunities with our UK counterparts.”
Ends
If you would like any further information, please contact Tom Chant International Commercial Manager on tchant@britishmarine.co.uk or 01784223642, or Becky Hester, PR Co-ordinator on 01784223811 or rhester@britishmarine.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
The British Marine Federation is the trade association for the UK leisure marine industry. It represents companies including boat builders, chandlers, hireboat companies and marinas.
UK Trade & Investment is the UK Government's international business development organisation, supporting businesses seeking to establish in the UK and helping UK companies grow internationally. The services offered by UK Trade & Investment bring together a network of business sector specialists and support teams in British embassies and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) posts all around the world, as well as key experts in government departments across the UK. UK Trade & Investment works with a wide range of partner organisations in the UK, including Regional Development Agencies and the Devolved Administrations, Business Links, Chambers of Commerce and trade associations. For more information, visit the web site at www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk.