CMC Marine continues to receive orders
The Tuscan company closed the nautical year with a +27% and has signed a partnership with Wartsila for the distribution of hydrojet systems.
Amsterdam (Netherlands) – The lengthening average lead times for new boat construction orders are benefiting many boatbuilding companies: increasingly larger, more complex yachts, and full order books for the next 2-3 years are factors that cover the backs of the major shipyards and, consequently, their suppliers as well.
CMC Marine, a manufacturer of stabilizer fins, thrusters, and steering systems, is no exception. It is still relatively young (founded in 2005 by Alessandro Cappiello) but well-structured. It has continued to experience significant growth for years and now enjoys a strong international presence, as demonstrated by the opening of offices in Poole, UK, and Fort Lauderdale, USA.
At the last Mets in Amsterdam SUPER YACHT 24 met Veronica Festa, lively head of sales at Cmc Marine.
How did you close the nautical year from a budget point of view?
“At the end of August we recorded a 27% increase in turnover, a few points more than what we had expected at mid-year precisely by talking to SUPER YACHT 24”.
So is the megayacht market, one of your main markets, still going strong?
"Yes, in general, the entire luxury sector doesn't seem to be experiencing a crisis, and we're benefiting from it too. In Amsterdam in particular, we saw further evidence of the interest our products are generating, especially among international operators. At the show, among other things, we closed a significant order with a Northern European shipyard, but the METS was also an opportunity to organize workshops with our service centers."
Looking ahead, what do you foresee for the next few years?
"We're optimistic. We already have a significant order backlog for at least the next two years. The raw materials situation is stabilizing, and the quality of work, which is important to us, has recovered. Retrofitting activity is also proceeding at a rapid pace, another good sign."
How many people work at Cmc Marine today?
"There are seventy-five of us, plus two subsidiaries in Great Britain and the United States. We want to grow further and are primarily looking for engineers, mechanics, and electronics technicians, not only for research and development but also for sales: our products are highly technical. However, we don't rule out opening additional new offices abroad in the near future."
Are you also reorganizing your production processes?
"Yes, our growth is not only commercial but also physical: a few months ago we opened a new site near our Cascina headquarters, where we moved production. The administrative offices, technical and sales department, service, testing, and inspection areas remain in Cascina. We also have our headquarters in Milan with our Research and Development and Marketing departments."
In short, a chain entirely managed in-house.
"Yes, but not only that. We've also signed a dealership agreement with Wartsila: we'll distribute their waterjet systems in Italy, Malta, and Monaco. We're looking at other industrial agreements with potential industry partners. The goal is to consolidate our position and increasingly engage with the gigayacht sector, up to 100 meters in length."
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Veronica Festa
