Massimo Perotti steps down from UCINA post

Massimo Perotti has resigned from his role as chairman of UCINA Confindustria Nautica, the association representing the Italian nautical industry, a post he only assumed in May 2014. As UCINA vice-chairman, Lamberto Tacoli, president and CEO of CRN, will take over from Perotti, at least until a new chairman can be voted in within the next 90 days.

“It was a difficult decision, but I believe it was a necessary step for the future of UCINA, which I hope will become stronger, more unified and increasingly representative of its members’ common goals,” said Perotti, who heads up the Sanlorenzo brand. “We are still in a period of crisis that requires prompt reactions. The path I chose over the past few months attempted to do this, but I came to the realisation that UCINA lacked the proactive attitude and positive thinking required to put my initiatives into practice. I would like to re-iterate my availability and willingness to work with the association’s board of directors to come up with an agreed programme that can be followed through and represents the best interests of its members.”

Among Perotti’s successes was the mandate to set up a private enterprise, I Saloni Nautici, with UCINA as a stakeholder, to organise the 2014 Genoa International Boat Show. Despite the economic climate in Italy and divisive politics that threatened the future of the event, last year’s show was pronounced a success. Nonetheless, Perotti commented at the time that 2014 should be considered “a year zero from where to start again.” The 55th edition of the event will take place from 30 September to 5 October 2015.


In a separate conversation with editor, Will Mathieson, Perotti explained that he had pushed for the show to move to May, an option popular with the superyacht industry, but less so with the smaller operators with a domestic focus. “The move was in order to stop the show’s suffering at the hands of competition from Cannes, Monaco and Fort Lauderdale”, Perotti explained. “That was difficult because the companies building small boats don’t go [to those shows] and they need a show in the autumn to survive. I understand why they can’t accept [a move] but I was forced not to do it and this is an example of why I could not go on with the efficiency and energy I [exhibit] when I work.”

“To maintain our current position, UCINA must represent a united front and common objectives for all its members,” said Perotti as the outgoing chairman. “It must provide a strong message both at home and abroad if the Italian yachting industry is not to lose its position of global leadership.”

Speaking to Mathieson about the broader superyacht market, Perotti added that he feels the last quarter of 2014, and the increasingly volatile character of the world today, has pushed the industry’s recovery back still further. “I expect the industry to continue to suffer in 2015. The solution could appear in 2016 but this year will be difficult. Italy has been supported by Russian customers, but the Russian customers are not buying at the moment; Italy has had interest from China but the Chinese market has slowed because of the new anti-corruption rules imposed by the government; and the Mediterranean countries are not yet out of the crisis.”

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