Veronesi (Cantiere del Pardo): "We are investing in new production facilities and professionalism."

Cannes (France) – One year after his appointment as CEO of Cantiere del Pardo, Marcello Veronesi (formerly a member of the board of Oniverse, the group that acquired the shipyard in 2023) discusses with SUPER YACHT 24 projects and future visions for the three brands, Grand Soleil, Pardo Yachts, and VanDutch, and the major upcoming challenges, from the new production site to the expansion of the range. At the Cannes Yachting Festival, the Italian shipyard presented two world premieres—the Pardo 43 and the VanDutch 75—and the GS Plus 65 Performance, making its debut at the French show. The Pardo 43, the model that marked the beginning of Pardo Yachts' history, has been reinterpreted with updated lines, improving performance and onboard comfort. The VanDutch 75 is the new flagship of the VanDutch range and represents a contemporary evolution of the brand's identity. The new interiors, designed by BurdissoCapponi Yachts & Design, combine premium materials with a discreet, relaxed elegance. The 65 sailing yacht, presented last spring, is the smallest model in the Plus line. Finally, the Grand Soleil Plus 80 Performance is being unveiled, a sportier interpretation of the flagship of the Grand Soleil Plus line, the first unit of which has already been sold and is currently under construction. Designed for sailors seeking high performance combined with clean, elegant lines, the Grand Soleil Plus 80 Performance offers an exhilarating sailing experience without compromising on comfort and livability. With naval architecture by Matteo Polli and interior and exterior design by Nauta Design, the GS Plus 80 Performance continues the design philosophy that distinguishes the entire line, enriching it with new technical and stylistic solutions.

Let's start with the market, what situation do you see?

"The start of the boat show season has been very positive: the new Pardo 43 immediately attracted great interest and immediate orders from the sales network. Compared to last year, I sense positive vibes. Overall, I believe boat shows remain essential, but they're not enough. We also want to create more dedicated and tailor-made opportunities for our customers, alongside the most important international trade shows."

After a year in the role of CEO, what are your plans for the future?

As a group, we are focusing on improving internal processes. Oniverse acquired Cantiere del Pardo at the end of 2023 because we believed—and still believe—that the company possessed extensive expertise and a well-defined DNA for each product line. This is a legacy that takes years to build from scratch: the shipyard has been around for 50 years, the market recognizes this, and the growth of the Pardo Yachts brand, along with several shipyards that have followed its lead, is proof of this.

What are your operational priorities today?

We're focusing on three areas: new product development, daily improvements to existing models, and optimization of the technical department. For us, business continuity depends on renewing our product range. At the same time, we're working hard on infrastructure: we've acquired a large area near Forlì, where we'll build a new production facility while maintaining the current one. The new facility will be dedicated to medium and large boats and will also include departments we don't currently perform in-house, such as fiberglass molding and painting. We've also acquired a waterfront facility in Marina di Ravenna for the launching and commissioning of boats over 50 feet, as well as all those destined for the United States, which will be transferred to Monfalcone. It will also be a fully-fledged showroom, a welcoming space for current and potential owners.

Are you also strengthening the team?

“Yes, we are adding new professionals: additional skills are needed to follow the numerous ongoing projects.”

Can you give an order of magnitude regarding investments?

"I prefer to remain vague. These are significant resources, major investments. The new site will be three or four times the size of the current one. We're confident that the direction we've taken will allow us to recover relatively quickly."

What are the most pressing industrial needs of the moment?

"The issue I consider most urgent, however, is the labor market: the difficulty in finding skilled labor is a real problem for the entire Italian nautical industry. We have invested and will continue to do so in Italy, but sometimes we are forced to look elsewhere because we lack the qualified people to carry on production."

The nautical market is increasingly focused on large yachts. What's your strategy with Grand Soleil?

“In recent years, we've further expanded our already extensive range. Our strength remains in the 42- to 52-foot range: this is the segment in which we're recognized as leaders and where we'll be investing in future resources. The Grand Soleil 42 LC and 44 Performance are still bestsellers, while the 52 Performance, launched last year, is a recent model that's yielding excellent results. For the 80-foot range, the Long Cruise and Performance projects are made to order. The first 72 was launched in 2021, followed by the 65 LC, the 62 Performance, and now the 80, which will be launched in March. We're already receiving requests for new versions, and I don't rule out the possibility of a client asking us for a 90- or 96-footer in the future.”

Are you also looking at smaller-scale projects?

“Yes, with the Blue project. It's a 30-33 foot day sailer, a segment we weren't in. It's a niche product, but it's had excellent feedback: everyone who's tried it has had a lot of fun.”

He told us about the success of the new Pardo 43.

Pardo Yachts is now the brand that represents the largest share of revenue. With the new Pardo 43, we've confirmed our leadership in the walkaround segment. The GT project, which began with the 75-footer, will be completed next year with the 65, which will fill the 52- to 75-footer range. At Cannes, we presented the Endurance 72, which takes us into the flybridge world: it's a competitive sector, but it's where we want to be.

And VanDutch?

“VanDutch is also a challenge. The 75-footer was a courageous choice: an open boat of this size inevitably has limitations, but many owners choose it precisely because it's open. So far, the feedback has been very positive.”

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