Forlì, 29th January 2016 – Ferretti Group, a world leader in the design, construction, and sales of motoryachts and pleasure boats, is proud to announce the inauguration of its new in-house centre of excellence for the direct production of fiberglass.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held today at the production site and headquarters in Forlì, was attended by Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group CEO, the Top Management of the Group, and all the workers of the Forlì site.
Also present for the occasion were numerous representatives of the local government and institutions, including: Davide Drei, Mayor of Forlì and President of the Province of Forlì-Cesena; Fulvio Rocco de Marinis, Prefect of Forlì-Cesena; Salvatore Sanna, Police Commissioner of Forlì-Cesena; Alberto Zambianchi, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Forlì-Cesena, and member of Parliment from Forlì the Honorable Marco Di Maio.
In light of the important investments made, which amount to some 50 million euros and already led to the creation of six new models in 2015, Ferretti Group thus confirms its path of development for the three-year period 2015-2017, based on the solid economic-financial results achieved over the last two years.
The new centre of excellence, which extends over a total covered area of approximately 2,400 square metres and falls under a plan of investments in the Forlì site which overall will reach a total of 4 million euros, plays a role of strategic importance for the Group, as it marks the return to direct production of the material used for producing a number of its boats.
The new site is part of the context of the Plugs & Molds plant, which operates in the production and management of models and molds for the Ferretti Group, and will be able to rely on a staff dedicated exclusively to the production of fiberglass and on two lines of flow production.
The entire production cycle will be characterised by a high level of efficiency and automation and a very high-tech process based on digital systems for controlling environmental temperature and humidity, climatic cells for thermoregulation of the resins, and systems of tracking and control of the materials through laboratory analysis.
The new centre of excellence is situated within the production site and Ferretti Group headquarters in Forlì, where production currently includes nine boats of the Ferretti Yachts and Itama brands and which operates with a total of workforce of 400 employees, of which 200 are production workers.
During the inauguration ceremony for the new Forlì site, Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, remarked: “We are proud of having reached, thanks to the contribution of everyone, yet another important goal, which confirms the continuing growth of the Ferretti Group and the determination to continue to invest in Italy and in the Forlì region, where up to less than two years ago there were fears of prospects of a strong decline in investment and a progressive reduction of production capacity.
I would also like to underscore the fact that only a healthy Group like ours with its house in order is able to continue along the important path of development embarked on with the new management.
The start of operation of the new site will not only guarantee the direct production of fiberglass for the Group’s boats, but will also contribute to the revitalisation of a territory where we have a historic presence, and where we want to continue to play a leading role in the future as well.”
Davide Drei, Mayor of Forlì and President of the Province of Forlì-Cesena, also commented: “We are here today to celebrate another significant success of one of the most important businesses of our territory. This project of excellence of the Ferretti Group contributes to giving a new and positive impetus to the economy of our province and more generally to the whole Italian system.”