Italian industry partnership expands presence in US market
TWB team at FLIBS. Image courtesy of HP Watermakers. ‘Together We Boat,’ a partnership of six Italian marine industry firms, is targeting growth in the US market after using the recent FLIBS boat show in Florida to introduce their latest developments. The partnership is also establishing a new Fort Lauderdale branch for sales and support.
HP Watermakers co-founder Gianni Zucco highlighted the alliance’s origins, stating that HP Watermakers, Mase, and GenSet first collaborated based on shared technological goals and long-standing professional relationships. Zucco noted that the US market has been a primary target since the group’s formation, with a further goal of expansion into Asia. “America has been one of our targets right from the beginning of the partnership… being able to attend the FLIBS this year with an expanded group makes us more determined and motivated than ever,” Zucco says.
According to Mase sales director Stefano Campanelli, the joint venture aims to strengthen each brand’s customer service and technical support capabilities within North America. Mase has previously established a US presence with a branch office to support American clients with spare parts and services. “The opening of the first ‘Together We Boat’ service point will be of considerable interest to Mase,” he says.
Besenzoni CEO Giorgio Besenzoni emphasises the advantages of combined resources, noting that the partnership aims to streamline responses to evolving market demands. Besenzoni provides a variety of equipment for both sailboats and motorboats, including gangways, tender launching systems, helm seats and boarding ladders.
Mapei Marine, a division of the Mapei Group that was initially established to supply large cruise ships, is also a new partner. CEO Andrea Gerardini explained that the brand recently began working with recreational yacht builders, expanding Mapei’s sealant and adhesive offerings to meet the unique needs of the leisure boating sector.
Feit Pompe, established in 1947, also joined the alliance, bringing its expertise in pumps, fans, fire dampers and water tanks. President Pietro Calabrò noted that each company’s product range complements the others, allowing the group to offer an extended catalogue of services and support to marine customers globally.
Fort Lauderdale service branch
The Together We Boat partnership is also launching a new Fort Lauderdale branch near the Boat Yard on 17th Street, providing a base for service and support. The branch includes a showroom and warehouse, stocking frequently needed parts for prompt after-sales service. The branch manager, Antimo Ciccone of Aqvatech Marine, brings extensive industry experience, having worked as a large yacht captain for over three decades.
“I am honoured to be the technical contact for such prestigious companies in a market as unusual and demanding as North America and Canada,” Ciccone says, noting the strong reputation of Italian marine products in the US market. Ciccone’s team has been operational in Fort Lauderdale since July, providing support to the ‘Together We Boat’ brands across North America in the past year.
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