Superyacht builder Wider acquired by investment partnership
Superyacht builder Wider has been taken over by an investment group.
Superyacht builder Wider has been taken over by an investment group led by Marcello Maggi.
Italian-based superyacht builder Wider has been acquired by an investment group, led by Marcello Maggi, with the aim of accelerating its growth and securing a stock exchange listing within three years.
The investment partnership, comprising the Monegasque group Nautical Hybrid Tech, Zepter Group and Hopafi Holding Srl, has pledged to focus on innovation in hybrid motor yachting under the leadership of Maggi, who has been appointed president and sales and marketing director.
“We are aiming to continue the leadership in hybrid motor yachting, boosting innovation and research in all the yachts to come,” said Maggi. “Wider will be working in a niche segment and focusing on quality and custom-built hybrid motor yachts.” The main reasons for the acquisition were the high level of expertise in the management team and staff, and the “extraordinary performance of the yachts in term of comfort, noise, vibration and their eco-friendly soul”, added Maggi.
‘Eco-friendly soul’
As part of Wider’s plan to focus on aluminum hybrid vessels, the company has concluded a license agreement with the German shipyard Lloyd Werft for hybrid yachts over 76m. The yachts will be built at the company’s Bremerhaven boat yard in the north east of the country.
Wider helped to pioneer the development of hybrid and green energy mega yachting. The Wider 150 led the development of the serial hybrid propulsion system applied on luxury superyachts and won awards worldwide. The design also includes a three-person submersible, a 14m seawater swimming pool and a touch-and-go helipad.
Hybrid and green energy mega yachting
Meanwhile, Maggi who co-founded Italian builder ISA Yachts in 2001, will continue to be based in Monaco.
Philip Zepter’s Zepter Group operates companies such as skin-care firm Swisso Logical, light-therapy specialist Bioptron and Tesla Hyperlight Optics.
Hopafi Holding, is the investment vehicle of the Giovannetti family. Tiziano Giovannetti controls two publicly-listed companies in Italy and Eastern Europe and holds interests in several companies involved in energy and sustainability.
Known for designing and implementing advanced concepts at either end of the yachting spectrum, Wider builds yacht tenders, cruisers and superyachts on Italy’s Adriatic coast. Last year, it delivered the 50m superyacht Cecilia.
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