Massimo Perotti, president and CEO of Sanlorenzo, celebrates 40 years in the boating industry this year, and is doing so in the best way possible. Since 2005, under his guidance, Sanlorenzo has continued to grow, with net income going from 40 million in 2004 to 585.9 million euros in 2021.

Daily Nautica interviewed Mr Perotti in Venice, during an event organised by the shipyard in the beautiful setting of Palazzo Franchetti, for the opening of the third iteration of the Boat Show in conjunction with the Venice Biennale. Not just a coincidence for this Italian shipyard that unites the quality of its vessels with its passion and interest in design and art.

“We believe – explains Perotti to Daily Nautica – that the Venice Boat Show needs to be interpreted by connecting our most beautiful boats with art and design. We believe that a Boat Show in this eastern part of Italy, is a great idea with an excellent future. When walking through the streets or staying in one of Venice’s hotels, you hear a lot of different languages. Venice is one of the queens of Europe, with many foreign visitors and we export around 90% of our products, just like our competitors, so a Boat Show in Italy dedicated to foreign clients is an opportunity we want to embrace.”

A deep connection with design and “beauty” therefore, brought about in 2018 also through the nomination of the architect Piero Lissoni to Art Director for Sanlorenzo and with their partnerships with well known Italian and international arts and cultural organisations such as the Peggy Guggenheim collection in Venice, the Triennale in Milan, ArtBasel and, last but not least, the Venice Biennale as the main sponsor for the Italy Pavilion, for the 2022 iteration.

BOATING AND ART: A WINNING COMBINATION

Sanlorenzo custom designs and builds their vessels. The philosophy that guides the brand is understatement, a synonym of refined luxury, which can be seen in the choice of materials and care for details. The same care and attention can also be seen in culture, design and art.

When asked why Sanlorenzo believed in this combination of art and boating, Mr. Perotti revealed: “We want to embrace that kind of client. Within Sanlorenzo’s DNA is a principle that might seem a bit strange, and that is understatement. Our clients love that. They buy a Sanlorenzo boat for its quality, comfort, design, and innovation; and design, art and culture embrace that same DNA, and that is the same as our brand philosophy.”

A LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY

More than just art: Sanlorenzo also focuses on sustainability, both for the environment (“sustainable” yachts are the vessels of the future), and welfare. “Sanlorenzo – notes Perotti – is always ready to support the local area where it works, carrying out acts of goodwill in La Spezia, Ameglia, Massa and Viareggio. The ‘Happy Life’ holding, a majority and family shareholder, has founded a charity with which we help people in need, in particular, young people.”

2022 – ANOTHER YEAR TO REMEMBER

Once again, the shipyard has been listed in the  Global Order Book 2022, by Boat International, ranking the international yachting industry for vessels over 24 metres, placing first for single-brand shipyard in the world in the manufacture of yachts and superyachts.

“The situation for Sanlorenzo – says Perotti – is very positive: we have 1 billion, 200 million in our order portfolio, made up of 91% end clients. This is a real portfolio which is not at risk of sell in, sell out, like dealers. We have, for the larger vessels over 40 metres, manufacturing covered until 2025/2026. For yachts of between 30-40 metres, we have until 2024/2025, but also for Bluegame, our smallest under 20 metres, up to June/July 2023 – everything is sold. So this really is an optimal situation.”

Sanlorenzo SD90

The geographical areas of their clients confirms the extraordinary growth of the Americas, equivalent to 121.3% in the first three months of 2022, with the United States in the lead. Not even the war in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia seem to overly worry the chief executive officer of Sanlorenzo.

“Obviously – notes Mr. Perotti – the war, and in particular the rise in energy costs, could lead to inflation and this could become a problem. But the war in of itself, in regards to Ukrainian and Russian clients, for Sanlorenzo, only affects 2/2.5% of turnover: it is therefore absolutely manageable with a small sacrifice.”

The press conference was held in Venice and was also a chance to anticipate the newest models offered by the shipyard: the open coupé SP110, this is the first model of the new open range, and the SD90, the entry level boat for the newly relaunched SD range, the semi-displacement trawlers by Sanlorenzo. Both will be presented in the September boat shows.