Cantiere del Pardo

Power, passion and performance all interweave to define the design and craftsman ship behind the luxury creations that emanate from Cantiere del Pardo. Whether a superior yacht or a superlative powerboat, the company continues forging ahead into its 50th year. Andy Probert spoke to CEO Fabio Planamente on the company’s turbo-charge into the future with expansion and new models planned.

CANTIERE

These are truly exciting times for Cantiere del Pardo, a pri vate Italian boat builder in Forli, close to Rimini on the sun-soaked Adriatic Coast.

This boat builder’s globally-renowned brands, Grand Soleil Yachts, Pardo Yachts and VanDutch Yachts, make-up an envied fleet of authentic sailing and cruising design experiences for those who crave luxury, elegance, performance and prestige.

As 2023 marks 50 years of the Cantiere del Pardo name, it also offers a golden opportunity. The company is laying plans to double its workspace to meet rising international demand, move forward with five new models, and continue to flourish with a highly-responsive dynamic business approach.

Sophisticated brands

“We never settle for anything less than what our clients deserve. Ultimately, we build their dreams, their lifestyle choices,” com mented CEO Fabio Planamente.

His business vision, aided by company stakeholders and a 250- strong staff, has helped cement a 30% year-on-year rise in output and turnover, which is now primed to surpass €100 million in 2022.

More than 5,000 Grand Soleil yachts have flowed from the yard since Cantiere del Pardo signalled its arrival with the Grand Soleil 34 prototype in 1973, closely followed by several other models in later years.

At the heart of Grand Soleil’s success is the collaboration with the most influential designers and architects and the dual purpose they offer: long cruise potential and performance, all further enhanced with the focus on racing and competition.

“It is fair to say that around the world, every weekend, a Grand Soleil is winning a race,” said Mr Planamente, in an acknowledgement at the time of interview when a Grand Soleil 44 Essentia 44 won the 2022 ORC B class World Championship.

In Pardo Yachts, created in 2017, the company has created a unique brand wrapped around the company’s innovative approach to designing elegant high-end power boats. With the sale of 500 units since launch, Pardo boats are recognised glob ally for their attention to detail, quality, and the skill of the craftsmen and women who create them.

VanDutch Yachts, the prestigious Dutch brand of motorboats, was acquired in 2020. Production and engineering have relo cated to Forli in line with the parent company’s ‘Made in Italy’ pedigree and philosophy.

Mr Planamente differentiated VanDutch as a lifestyle brand for affluent investors. In contrast, Pardo offers a high level of construction for those more experienced in the boating arena and who want to spend more time on their yachts.

He said: “VanDutch Yachts is an exciting acquisition repre senting a prestigious achievement for both brands. They create a unique luxury yachting experience and take the market to new levels in terms of lifestyle, design, quality and performance.”

The acquisition also represents an opportunity for unmatched synergy in production capacity and strategic development, enhancing and strengthening brand identities and competitiveness.

INDEL WEBASTO MARINE

“Sharing values and skills, aimed at ensuring excellence in product quality and customer service.”

These words summarise the historic partnership, between Indel Webasto Marine and Cantiere del Pardo. Indel Webasto Marine is a primary partner of Cantiere del Pardo, actively contributing to the recent growth of the shipyard.

Isotherm's cooling solutions, specifically developed for the marine sector, guarantee galley equipment of the highest quality. The appli cations are regularly examined, verified and tested for their effi ciency, to guarantee their quality to our customers around the world

The international structure of Indel Webasto marine, present all over the world, actively contributes to the growth of the yard, by guaran teeing customer service in line with the specifications of excellence at the yard.

It does not matter if the boat is a sailing or motor yacht, if it is small or large, Isotherm has the ideal solution to supply the maximum comfort on board.

editorial mention

“Cantiere del Pardo, alongside VanDutch and Pardo Yachts, now assumes a leading position in the world of luxury yachts.”

He added: “In our industry, 90% of business is made by power boats and 10% by sailing boats. Within that 10%, we were already dominant in producing luxury sailing yachts, but when we entered the power boat sector, the response was amazing.”

New models, key investments

Today, 50% of Cantiere del Pardo’s power boats are sold within the US market, mainly in Florida.

“Looking forward to the next two to three years, we expect growth to be comparable with 2022,” said Mr Planamente. “Our company’s future is very positive and our intended launch of several bigger powerboat models for next season reflects that confidence.

“There will be two for Pardo Yachts - Pardo Endurance 70 and Pardo GT75 - and the VanDutch 75. The Grand Soleil brand will see Grand

Soleil 72 and Grand Soleil 40 launch at Cannes Boat Show in September 2022, and Grand Soleil 65 ready for spring 2023.”

The company is eyeing plans to develop its dealer network across Asia and the Middle East, having stopped expanding due to the multiple orders received from existing dealers globally.

He added: “Capacity, production and maintaining the product quality is being carefully managed, which is always our priority. Our staff are passionate sailors and, in general, very passionate about the industry within which they work. They are very excited and motivated by the new product additions and committed to reaching these targets.”

Investment plans for the next four years include increasing production capacity at Forli, with the addition of a new 3,000sqm facility dedicated to boats between 60ft and 80ft. The company has also acquired a new 5,000 sqm facility 45 minutes from its headquarters to further production.

CANTIERE

“We will not be doubling capacity, as we will be handling bigger boats, but production could increase by up to 50%,” said Mr Planamente. “For example, we plan to produce 200 boats in 2022, but next season we want to increase that to 250. We will maintain focus on boats up to 24 metres because we know this market segment very well.”

They are also investing in new machinery and logistical equip ment, such as a travel lift to move boats and a pre-test 25m pool to trial boats before releasing them to customers, often found in Cote d’Azur, Ibiza, Palm Beach and Miami.

Sustainability plays an important role, with the company engaged with Bologna University on several projects related to finding new materials other than GRP, that can be reconverted at the end of a boat’s life. It is also working towards zero emis sions in the production process and committed €1 million to installing solar panels to provide 90% of its energy needs.

Dynamic business approach

However, the global supply chain, rising material prices and doubling the cost of shipping to export boats remain critical challenges to the business.

“All these issues have made us consider our flexibilityand reac tion to our production plans,” remarked the CEO. “Sometimes, we have to change at least once or twice a week but to be successful and achieve the target, that’s what we have to do.”

Reflecting on the pandemic, Mr Planamente pinpointed a shift by clients that had positively impacted Cantiere del Pardo. “Their mentality changed to wanting to buy boats to feel secure and safe instead of staying at a hotel.

“Rich people are now willing to spend the money to enjoy their life as they realise circumstances can change in a moment. Their priori ties are vastly different from what they were three years ago.”

He admitted: “The world is continuing to change, and we are adapting at pace. We have rewritten the rules and changed our approach to our business model. Our fast reactions and flexibility are what differentiate us.

“That is why Cantiere del Pardo continues to perform very well and maintain its position as the biggest company in Italy producing boats up to 24 metres.”

These moves are enhanced by having excellent supplier relations and a collaborative approach to problem-solving. “We share our longterm visibility on orders, materials as well as our visions, new pro jects and investments to grow. Transparency enables real partnerships, and that helps underpin our business’ success.”

Mr Planamente concluded: “Good client relations are immensely important. A happy customer can be a great ambassador for Cantiere del Pardo, so we engage with them, create a community with regular events and produce boats that meet their needs.

“Performance, quality and design have been our DNA for 50 years and will remain. Across our brands, we are focused on what we want to achieve.” n

“Performance, quality and design have been our DNA for 50 years and will remain. Across our brands, we are focused on what we want to achieve”

CEO Fabio Planamente