Riva
Riva was founded by Pietro Riva in 1842 in Sarnico, a small town in northern Italy set on the banks of Lake Iseo, and is currently one of the most famous shipyards in the world and the oldest never to have interrupted production.
In 1950, when Pietro’s great grandson, Carlo, took over management of the shipyard, the Riva brand became a legend in the true sense of the word, destined to triumph season after season on markets all over the world, thanks to a range of top quality wooden boats, featuring unique style and timeless elegance.
The shipyard began using fibreglass in 1969, and extended its range of yachts, whose quality and elegance continued to represent total excellence, and whose innovative lines deeply influenced the style and evolution of nautical design over the following years.
In May 2000, Riva became part of Ferretti Group, leader in the production of luxury yachts, thus beginning a new season. Indeed, joining the Group not only meant Riva returned to Italian management after a few years under English control, but also provided strong incentive for studying new models, reaffirming the unique design created by Mauro Micheli and Officina Italiana Design. It also meant a continuous quest for uncompromised quality, marking reaffirmation of the unique prestige which has characterised Riva since its origins.
Since joining Ferretti Group, Riva has continued to increase production annually. It opened a new shipyard in La Spezia in November 2003 for the production of yachts measuring over 65 feet, enabling the company to further increase its growth potential. Over the past three years, seven new models have been launched, completing the Riva range, which now comprises 10 yachts, measuring 33 to 115 feet, which have already enjoyed unbelievable success on the international market. The shipyard plans to design and
produce a further three models over the next two years.
In September 2007, the work to renovate the former casting department in the historical Sarnico shipyard, to be used for a new production line, was completed.
The models produced on the lake have thus risen to 6, after the September launch of the new SportRiva 56, the only flybridge in the range comprising models measuring 30 to 63 feet.
In La Spezia, on the other hand, the production area has been doubled through the addition of two new facilities and an innovative painting cabin.
Five models – one open and four flybridges - are currently built in the La Spezia shipyard, which covers a surface area of over 28,000 sqm. The ranges begins with 68’ Ego, presented in May 2005. This open, which the shipyard plans to develop into a “Super” version for 2008, has won three of the most important awards in the nautical world in just two years: European Powerboat of the Year, Millennium Yacht Design Award and Croatian Powerboat of the Year. 68’ Ego was also selected to appear in the ADI Design Index 2006, the most important book published, and distributed all over the world, specifically dedicated to products of industrial design, and the last step before nomination for the Compasso d’Oro. Increasing in length, the next model is flybridge 75’ Venere, featuring a modern concept and aggressive line which is popular with the younger public. Her incomparable class, however, winks at the shipyard’s tradition, immediately reminding anyone who sees her that she is a Riva. 85’ Opera Super, on the other hand, was designed for owners who want “something more” from their yacht: 26 metres of painstaking care over detail, last generation technology, originality and unique solutions in which nothing has been neglected. Lastly, 115’ Athena. Every detail of the Riva fleet flagship is a revelation of skilful, sophisticated, sought-after aesthetic design, representing the most exclusive Riva model, which permitted the shipyard to enter the world of megayachts straight through the front door.
The last model to have entered production is a 90 foot flybridge to be launched in 2008. Presented to dealers at the last Cannes boat show, she enjoyed immediate success thanks to her particularly innovative style solutions, and indeed the first seven units have already been sold.
Besides the important renovation work on the production surfaces, 2007 was also a decisive year for Riva because it concentrated on important strategic projects, strongly championed by all the Shipyard’s managers, and which immediately received Ferretti Group’s support. These innovative projects concentrate on the future, in keeping with the Shipyard’s tradition which has always placed great importance on innovation. They include the new “Serafino Riva” Training School whose aim is to pass the Riva tradition and working methods on to new generations.
The school is a project which, thanks to the commitment of all those working at the shipyard, will continue perpetuating the Riva Legend day after day.
This Legend is created out of the passion, pride, and commitment of the men and women who have contributed to developing the yachts which fill the dreams of millions of people all over the world. It is shaped by the love and enthusiasm of the owners who confirm their loyalty to the brand and its values by choosing to remain with Riva, keeping the Legend alive because they are part of it.
Riva S.p.A.
Viale san Bartolomeo, 380
19038 La Spezia
tel. +39 0187 28621
