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Sanlorenzo and Nautor Swan sign MoU
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The Italian motor yacht builder and Italian-owned Finnish sailing boat builder are evaluating “possible joint strategic opportunities”.
Massimo Perotti, Chairman and CEO of Sanlorenzo Group
Sanlorenzo Group and Nautor Swan Group have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding – encompassing an exclusivity period – to evaluate joint strategic opportunities between the two yacht builders, which specialise in motor and sailing yachts respectively. Earlier this month, Sanlorenzo announced the acquisition of Simpson Marine, Asia’s largest yacht dealer.
Founded in 1958, Sanlorenzo and its sister brand Bluegame produce motor yachts from 42ft to megayachts of 73m. Italian Massimo Perotti, Chairman and CEO of Sanlorenzo, which he bought in 2005, said the addition of Swan would create a high-end portfolio of brands.
“This transaction, if carried out, would allow Sanlorenzo to extend its presence into the high-end yachting industry, preserving Swan’s long-lasting expertise and experience, which provide Sanlorenzo with unique heritage,” Perotti said. “The combination of these brands within the same group would create a unique maison of motor and sail yachts at the top end of the nautical competitive landscape.”
Nautor Swan, founded in 1966, builds sailing monohulls from the Swan 48 to the Swan 128 in its Swan Maxi line, with most of its yachts built in Finland. The 43ft Swan Shadow and OverShadow motor yachts produced in Italy are among exceptions.
Italian Leonardo Ferragamo, Nautor Swan’s Chairman, bought the shipyard in 1998 and currently owns it through his company Sawa.
“Swan has a legacy of globally unmatched product excellence in the high-end sailing yachting industry,” Ferragamo said.
“A strategic partnership with Sanlorenzo Group would offer opportunities to move forward on this virtuous path with joint investments in innovative technologies, sustainability and a more extensive service network for our customers globally. A journey with one of the most qualified groups in the yachting arena would strengthen our long-term vision, preserving the Swan brand’s unique values.”
In 2021, Sanlorenzo Group indicated an interest in buying a sailing yacht brand when it announced a joint-venture with Ferretti Group to buy Perini Navi, before the latter was eventually acquired by The Italian Sea Group.
