Ferretti Group, the Italy-based holding behind brands such as Riva, Pershing and of course Ferretti itself, has indicated it made €14,1 million in net profit in 2016 making it the first year since the financial crisis of 2008 where the group posted a profit.
Ferretti was established in 1968 as the first marine division of Alessandro and Norberto Ferretti's family business. In 1971, the company delivered its first wooden motor-sailer and by 1982 it began producing boats for sport fishing with a flybridge.
By 1996, Ferretti Group decided to expand into a larger range and set up Custom Line, a division meant to operate in the growing 26-40m range. In following years, the group multiplied acquisitions buying CNA in 1998, CRN in 1999, Riva in 2000, Mochi Craft in 2001 and Itama in 2004.
As the company was preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) after having been acquired in a leveraged buyout by Candover Investments which put the Group's value at €1.5 billion in 2007, the financial crisis led to a significant drop in sales.
In 2009, the company defaulted on its €1,2 billion debt and its creditors, led by the Royal Bank of Scotland, wrote down €560 million of the debt in exchange for 53% in equity from Candover Investments.
In January 2012, 75% of the group was sold to Chinese conglomerate, Weichai in exchange for a €178 million equity investment, a €100 million capital increase and an €80 million revolving credit facility. The deal also saw the Group's debt be reduced to just €116 million, down from €580 million. The remaining 25% were split amongst the Royal Bank of Scotland and Strategic Value Parters in return for a €25 million equity investment.
After going through a series of rough patches, Weichai appointed Alberto Galassi, an international law attorney who had previously run Piaggio Aerospace, to the position of CEO in 2014. In 2015, Galassi, who is interestingly also on the board of directors of the Manchester City FC, predicted a return to profitability by 2017. In 2016, Piero Ferrari, son of Enzo Ferrari, invested into Ferretti Group, acquiring a 13,2% stake in the group and joining its board of directors.
After posting a positive EBITDA of €7 million in 2015 along with a net loss of €29 million, Ferretti Group has bounced back to profitability in 2016 with an EBITDA of €52,7 million and a net profit of €14,1 million, the first it posted since 2008. In the first quarter of 2017, the company has posted a net profit of €4 million already. This year, Ferretti Group is planning to invest €25 million in R&D and €21,4 million to grow production capacity.
Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, commented: " In a three year period Ferretti Group proved to be a company able to achieve a real turn around, obtaining great commercial success, which led to well above expected financial results. The new models have become the most important drivers of growth thanks to their design, quality and high standards of innovation."