Azimut yachts date back to 1969 when the young enterprising student, Paolo Vitelli Azimut , founded a charter sailboat agency, combining his passion for water sports with an interesting business model.
Azimut: From charter agency to market leader in luxury motor yachts
Azimut : In 1970 renowned yacht manufacturers, such as Amerglass, Westerly, British Powles and Draco, joined together with the agency in order to better market their own boats in Italy. In the 1980s Azimut decided to design his own boats, with the construction remaining in the hands of third parties. Between 1975 and 1980 Azimut developed its first hand-made fibreglass model. From that day on, the company was on its way to conquering the industry and soon emerged as a market leader for luxury motor yachts.
Azimut: Benetti brothers on board
With the Benetti brothers take-over in 1985, Azimut expanded so drastically that the Azimut Benetti Group today presides over 60 advanced yacht models ranging between 30 and 70 meters in length. The Azimut Benetti Group is one of the largest yacht manufacturers in the world. Yachts and mega yachts are built in several locations in Italy (Livorno and Viareggio). The Azimut company produces serial model yachts and mega yachts. At the site in Livorno yachts are built up to 35 meters in length. The mega yachts, ranging from 40 to 70 meters in length, are produced in Viareggio.
Azimut: Yacht production and luxury harbour development
Chairman and Azimut founder Paolo Vitelli is currently interested in going beyond yacht production and branching out into luxury harbour development. He would like to focus on integrating tourism, a range of leisure activities and spa centres into an all-encompassing marina customer service.
