Sanlorenzo buys Swan? Agreement close, here’s what we know

Sanlorenzo and Swan now seem to be getting closer and closer. Dockside rumors now consider the deal virtually done with the Finnish shipyard ready by the end of June to become a brand of the Italian giant led by Massimo Perotti.

Nautor Swan, after all, has been an Italian property for more than 30 years with at the helm of the company
Leonardo Ferragamo
.

Sanlorenzo buys Swan? The agreement is close

That Sanlorenzo has an interest in entering the world of luxury sailing is no secret. The group had already attempted to take control of Perini Navi, an iconic maxi-yacht sailing brand, which was later acquired by TISG (The Italian Sea Group).

While small and medium-sized boats are experiencing a lull, Perotti said in an interview with Corriere della Sera, the super-rich who want bigger and bigger boats are on the rise.

Suffice it to say that 29,000 new super-rich (or “high net worth individuals,” those whose personal wealth is $1 million or more) were born in 2023 alone.

Nautor Swan today

What does Nautor Swan produce today, the Ferragamo shipyard maker of the famous Swans? Nineteen boats from 28 to 128 feet. Sailing is definitely the hard core of the production of the yard, which is based in Pietarsaari, Finland. The engine, however, is a market that the brand has already been presiding over for a few years with three models: Swan Arrow 75 e Swan Shadow, the first one ever made, and the
Swan Overshadow
.

So out of this acquisition, if and when it happens, will come a group capable of presiding over virtually every segment of the market. A key element, this, to go into the struggle for global leadership where the main tug-of-war, today, concerns
Azimut Group
and Ferretti Group.

Production to Italy? Perhaps

We mentioned above that this shipyard, Nautor Swan, has its operational headquarters in Finland, in Pietarsaari. What are the scenarios in case of takeover? Let’s analyze the current situation: building boats in Finland has higher costs and longer lead times. Significant investments have been made in recent years to move the Finnish shipyard toward rationalization.

Sanlorenzo, for its part, has an efficient production base located between Liguria and Tuscany. The shipyard’s main office is located in Ameglia-La Spezia. A second division is based in Viareggio, a third division is based in Massa, and superyacht production takes place at the La Spezia site.

In the event of an acquisition, this well-trodden infrastructure could play no small role.

E.R.