For 12 straight years, the Azimut|Benetti shipyard has been the most chosen shipyard by owners to build mega-yachts, making the Italian brand a leading name in the luxury motor yacht sector. Part of the Benetti Group, Azimut Yachts is a brand that has customers all over the world, from Europe to North America, China and Australia, and as a result has always had to equip itself to satisfy different tastes and requirements. Now, the Italian yacht makers have taken their expertise and the customisation approach a step further with the launch of “Azimut Grande”.

All Azimut yachts above 100 feet have been christened “Azimut Grande”. These are a range of mega-yachts that is destined to grow quickly in the next few years. At the same time “Azimut Grande” stands for the unique process that starts with the owner’s first request and ends with the delivery of his yacht: a building philosophy that puts the customer at the heart of the project. This is an epochal renewal not only for Azimut Yachts but for all mega-yachts over 30 metres long and takes customer service to a higher level. “Azimut Grande” in fact incorporates, perfects and builds on the Italian brand’s close collaboration with yacht owners over the years, so that Azimut’s customers can enjoy maximum freedom to turn a yacht into “their very own yacht”: unique and designed by the customers themselves to suit their needs, wants, and style.

Azimut have created a collection in progressive steps, not simply an ensemble of yachts, one larger than the other. Four new models – as well as the forthcoming 120 SL – will be introduced from now until 2013, ranging from a 100-foot raised pilothouse model to a 130-foot tri-deck.

As part of “Azimut Grande”, the Italian yacht maker has introduced the concept of the Personal Design Team, a group of experts who work at the owner’s side to define the personalisation of the yacht even before closing the contract. The Personal Design Team travels together with the Sales Managers to meet Azimut customers anywhere across the world. This allows customers to impress their personality on the yacht, that is to have their yacht made “their own way”. Naturally, customers can decide on the type of decor, furnishings, covering materials, leathers and fabrics according to their tastes and needs, but the “Azimut Grande” process goes further than that. In fact, customers can also discuss the technical aspects with the team.

The Personal Design Team works with the customer from the start of the relationship, even before the contract is signed. Its task is precisely that of defining in detail together with the owner how the yacht must be built. The team is made up of at least three professionals, the first being the sales manager from the customer’s home area. This is the person who best knows the customer and the characteristics of the market. The second is a yacht architect who is an expert in interior design and has considerable international experience. His task is to propose and advise, but also to receive requests on which he will offer his professional advice. The third is a product manager, responsible for the building aspects of the yacht, a delicate and extremely important position. This person, with his organisational skills and in constant contact with the shipyard, has the last word on the feasibility of the requests and is the guarantor in terms of delivery times. A fourth person, who is part of the team whenever necessary, is the technical manager who manages the more demanding engineering and technological requests.