Italian yachting giant Azimut-Benetti announced today (October 2) that it has completed its buyout of Fraser, after increasing its share from 83% to 100%.
Paolo Vitelli, group president at Azimut-Benetti, said: "This recent acquisition is part of the strategic plan of our group to offer superyacht owners not only the most beautiful yachts, but also the utmost service. We are the only player in the yachting industry that takes care of the owner along the entire process, from yacht purchasing to management, refit and repair service, crew recruitment and chartering to resale.”
As well as buying and selling more than 50 superyachts per year, Fraser is the world’s largest provider of yacht consultancy services, the yard added. Its portfolio includes the 56 metre Benetti yacht Ulysses (pictured above) and more than 100 others.
In a statement, Azimut-Benetti said that Fraser holds a 15% market share, making it the market leader in its sector, and hinted at further expansion after recent office openings in New York and Hong Kong.
For its part, Azimut-Benetti is widely recognised as a dominant player in the superyacht world, regularly topping our definitive Global Order Book in terms of total LOA of yachts under construction.
Notable projects currently under development at the Italian yard include its new flagship, the 107 metre Benetti FB277 — scheduled for 2019 completion — and the 70 metre Project 169, which is due to splash next year.