Paolo Vitelli remembers Benetti's 150th anniversary: ​​"I took over the shipyard by putting my bonds on the table."

Viareggio – Paolo and Giovanna Vitelli were in person in Viareggio to kick off a three-day celebration of Benetti's 150th anniversary, which will continue in Livorno on Saturday (with the owners) and Sunday (with employees and suppliers). They were greeted by around twenty boats, some of the most beautiful and iconic boats the shipyard has ever produced.

Group president Giovanna Vitelli recalled being nine years old when her father came home and said, "I've managed to buy the Benetti shipyard." Since then, the company's history has seen years of "enormous growth," marked by projects like "the Benetti Classic, a hugely successful series," of which around one hundred were built in ten years.

Particularly touching was the memory of Paolo Vitelli, the group's founder, who just a few months ago handed over the reins to his daughter. When recalling the history of the Benetti shipyard, he repeatedly spoke of "achievement." "Benetti's 150-year history, Azimut's 54-year history, and 38 years of history together are remarkable records for a company and a family. We are an exception, and we are proud of it," he began in his speech, which included remarks by several longtime collaborators and employees.

The story begins when it all began: “I came to build boats here in Viareggio in the second half of the 70s because Benetti was already a symbol of excellence. Quality boats were being made in Viareggio, and I wanted to build quality boats, which is why I came to Viareggio. We built boats from '76 to '84, and when Benetti was in trouble, there are two things I remember with great emotion: the first is that it was my fellow builders who told me, 'Go ahead, buy Benetti.' Both those who worked with us and our competitors. The other is that I came to speak to the Benetti management and they told me, 'You're the right man, buy Benetti.' And this, more than anything else, gave me the strength to do it.”

The story continued with the moment of the acquisition: "I went to court with my savings, which at the time were in paper form (they were Treasury bills that I placed on the liquidator's desk). I don't know if it was my savings or enthusiasm that convinced him, but he assigned us this project and the great journey began. The recent journey, today, was recounted by Marco Valle and my daughter Giovanna, and it's beautiful." A journey "where the concept of innovation is fundamental, but what I want to emphasize is the concept of teamwork: we worked together. The warmth you made me feel today as I arrived in Viareggio is unsurpassed and is the secret of success."

According to Paolo Vitelli, "The great achievement isn't the 150 years, the 54 years, and the 38 years of the two brands combined, but being able to give continuity to this story. Having a wonderful daughter who, in harmony with the management, with the talented designers, with those who work there, and by endearing herself to everyone who works in the company, knows how to continue innovation. It's to her that I must thank for rejuvenating my Benetti, made up of boats that were too classic, by introducing the concept of the Oasis Deck and innovative interiors. It's she who provided the impetus that has made Benetti the leading shipyard in the world today. Because it's a drive made of new things. Everyone has imitated the Oasis Deck, but we have a 34-meter and 72-meter range that is the symbol of innovation, just like the boats that came before it."

Finally, she offered her thanks and public encouragement to her daughter: "Giovanna, well done! For carrying on this mission, and thank you because it's not easy. Best wishes, because I know you'll be enormously successful. It's a beautiful story of achievement!"

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