N
ew Sunseeker CEO Andrea Frabetti has announced a
major new product development plan for the famed British
builder that will result in the current range doubling in size
to 22 models during the next three years. Appointed Chief
Technical Officer in January, the Italian was promoted to CEO in June
following the resignation of German Christian Marti.
Alongside Chief Financial Officer Mike McMillan and Chief
Operations Officer Michael Straughan, Frabetti has formed a new
Strategic Committee focused on further developing the framework for
the company, aided by a £50million CAPEX investment across five
years.
The latest announcement follows positive anticipated financial
results for the 2018 year including gross profit increasing by over a
third as well as an overall increase in revenue.
“The new models will include new product segments as well as
improved differentiation between various lines,” said Frabetti, who
worked for Ferretti Group for 25 years. “To enable this, we are actively
developing our existing footprint as well as seeking new facilities and
partnership opportunities.”
The existing range includes five Yacht models (76, 86, 95,
116, 131), the 74 Sport Yacht, three Predators (50, 57, 74) and two
Manhattans (52, 66). The new Hawk 38 will have its world premiere
later this year and the 161 Yacht being built by Dutch yard Icon will
launch in 2021 (read more below).
The Strategic Committee is working alongside Executive
Management colleagues Adrian Powell, General Counsel and
Company Secretary, HR Director Sian Dodds and Sales Director
Sean Robertson, who was delighted with the new models already in
production.
“New and exciting products breed growth in this market and the
response for our latest models has been nothing short of incredible,”
Robertson said. “We are confident this is going to continue as we are
making a considerable investment across the business to support a
bold product-development plan.”Sunseeker has also revealed results of testing on the pioneering
hull design for the 161 Yacht, which is expected to top 22 knots
despite using smaller engines than are typically used on a 50m build.
World-renowned Van Oossanen Naval Architects has designed the
yacht’s Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF), a hybrid hull developed
to be efficient over the entire speed range by generating less wake,
resulting in a longer range with lower fuel consumption and emissions.
Sunseeker says ‘the FDHF concept improves the efficiency of the
vessel by around 15 to 20 per cent, made possible by the slenderness
and special form of the hull, resulting in a very low wave profile’.
The FDHF for the 161 Yacht was recently declared the most
efficient round-bilge hull tested by the UK-based Wolfson Unit, which
has carried out towing tank tests on nearly 1,200 hull forms since
1968, including the majority of tested motor yacht hull forms.
“When compared to other round-bilge hull forms at speeds
between the cruising speed of 15 knots and those approaching planing
of 44 knots, the tested motor yacht’s ranking is typically around 100-
140 per cent,” said Dickon Buckland from Wolfson Unit. “This means
the design is currently ranked as the most efficient in the Wolfson
Unit’s database.”
The 161 Yacht also has the option of Hull Vane technology
positioned below the stern. The patented fixed-foil device influences
the stern wave pattern, creating a forward-orientated lifting force
which lowers pitch motion and running trim, further saving fuel costs.
Frabetti said: “The 161 Yacht will be a true game-changer for
yachts in the 50m sector. With its class-beating efficiency, stability
and comfort, she will deliver a significant performance advantage in
open water that has been unachievable to date.”
Majority owned by China’s Wanda Group since August 2013,
Sunseeker employs 2,500 people, annually produces about 150
boats ranging from 38-161ft and has dealer representation in over 74
countries.http://www.sunseeker.comSUNSEEKER TO DOUBLE RANGE
New CEO Andrea Frabetti announces plan to increase
Sunseeker range to 22 models over the next three years.Andrea Frabetti, Sunseeker CEOSunseeker 161 YachtSunseeker NEWS