The Riva factory in Sarnico, which is one of two, lies nestled in the hills outside of Milan in Northern Italy. Lying on the shores of Lake Iseo, its old-world charm and sense of tradition are striking. Riva has been in the business for 167 years and the company is mighty proud of its heritage. As Ferruccio Rossi, the company’s ceo, informed Bespoke, “Riva was founded in 1842 and we are the only shipyard in the world that never stopped production, not even during the world wars. This gives us an incomparable advantage, still today. Tradition is all we are based on, we could not be the brand we are without it. We try to keep in mind all the teachings that come from the past and we emphasise them every day.”
The company started when, in the mid-1800s, a young but skilled carpenter named Pietro Riva first began building and repairing boats for the local fishermen on the banks of the Lario. By chance he heard of a gap in the market as nobody was repairing boats on the shores on Lake Iseo. Riva soon found himself renovating a small hut on the side of the lake and taking on customers. A legend had begun. Modern-day Sarnico is steeped in tradition; Riva’s very much a 21st century company, with 19th century roots. It’s easy to imagine caulkers and shipwrights working on Iseo’s shores.
Though Pietro Riva started as a maker of traditional sailboats the family firm later embraced motorised vessels. The 1880s saw Riva established in the steamboat industry, taking commissions for a variety of commercial and private boats, from fishing vessels to pleasure craft. Then in the early 20th century the company started using internal combustion engines. Riva has always moved with the times embracing technologies that would help him give his small day-trippers a fierce turn of speed. Indeed, by the 1920s Riva was at the forefront of speedboat racing, famed for using the latest techniques and materials.
It was the jet set’s fondness for Riva’s mahogany-hulled boats that propelled the brand into world stardom. Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Jane Fonda, Britt Ekland and Liz Taylor were all seen stretching out aboard their Aquaramas. The brand had finally become synonymous with style and prestige. Even today it is the perception of Rivas and starlets that continues to bring the company customers. Although the company does not produce fully mahogany-hulled boats anymore, they do combine fibreglass with the luxury hardwood on their latest Aquarivas.
Interestingly, though fibreglass is a cheaper, lighter and virtually maintenance-free alternative to mahogany, some traditional Riva lovers were appalled when the company first introduced it in 1969 - even though it meant lighter and faster boats. To this day classic Rivas remain in high demand, with many Riva-aficionados owning modern models while maintaining their vintage boats with loving care. “The market for second hand sales of classic Rivas with mahogany fittings is very florid and boats are sought after, they represent the dolce vita form the 1960s.”
Rossi went on, “Last year we launched an elegant and sophisticated 28-meter flybridge called 92’ Duchessa, a great success. Next September we will launch a sporty and modern open called 86’ Domino.” Rossi’s quick to point out that sporty lines and stylistic shapes go hand-in-hand. The Domino seems set to continue Riva’s ongoing quest for luxurious style, speed and prestige.
One thing that may come as a surprise is the degree to which the client can customise his boat. Furthermore, Rossi and his head designer, Mauro Micheli, are always working to incorporate the views and desires of loyal customers and fans into the latest designs. This is possible because the average Riva client understands the history of the marque and they’re buying a boat because they already buy in to what the brand’s stands for. As a result, Riva gains access to a body of knowledgeable clients who have an emotional investment in the future of the company. The level of customisation reflects the importance Riva places on their client’s understanding of yachts and of the company itself, “They can completely personalise the boat, we give a full range of choices for the décor. In any case, when a customer comes to us, he already knows and desires our style. Therefore we rarely receive impossible requests,” says Rossi.
Rossi is bullish about the prospects of the brand he describes as “The Ferrari of the sea,” and he insinuates that the iconic brand is above fluctuations in the global economy. When talking of his clients, Rossi has this to say, “They might be more careful today, but buying a Riva has always represented a dream coming true.” A history of “tradition and innovation”, the Riva motto, has served the company well. In a market full of competitors and in times of economic uncertainty, the caché of the Riva brand is certainly allowing them to weather the current financial tempest and emerge in fine health.
2000 saw the Ferretti Group add Riva to its portfolio of companies. As part of a world-leading luxury yacht firm, Riva seems to be in safe hands. Tradition, a strong sense of identity and inclusion within the Ferretti stable have allowed Riva to continue to do what they do best, namely, making fantastic pleasure boats.
Riva has been at the cutting edge of luxury boats for quite some time, and it looks like they’re here to stay. The combination of technology and style is a clear winner and the yacht manufacturer can remain true to its ideals while pressing on to new markets. Rossi’s stated aim is expand their interests in the Middle East, “The Middle East market is very important for us, and the clients are more and more interested in the quality of our yachts and more and more experts in yachting.” This fine Italian brand seems set to go from strength to strength, and is sure to be a regular in the harbours of the region.
CONTACTS
Riva LEBANON
Sea Pros
Main Highway,
Dbayeh, Jounieh
Tel: +961 4 541840
Riva EGYPT
Synergy
10, El-Saleh Ayoub Street,
Zamalek, Cairo
Tel: +20 2 2738 1025
Riva KUWAIT
Sea Pros
Mesal Tower, Jaber Al Mubarak Street
Sharq, Kuwait
Tel +965 222 50 244
Riva QATAR
Alfardan Marine
Najma Street,
Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 4435 626
