Piero Formenti has been appointed as president of Confindustria Nautica – the Italian Marine Industry Association.
His appointment by the Association’s General Council for a four-year period from 2025 to 2029, will be formally ratified on May 16 2025 by the general assembly of members.
Piero founded RIB manufacturer Zar Formenti in 1979 and is the first president in the Association’s history to represent the small boat industry, with his appointment gaining widespread approval from the Association’s various sector assemblies.
He has been a director of Confindustria Nautica since 2008 and has been vice president since 2019.
Piero is also vice chair of the European Boating Industry (EBI) and is a former president having served for two consecutive terms from 2015-2017 and from 2017-2019.
He has been a board member of I Saloni Nautici Srl and is currently a member of Confindustria’s technical group ‘Europe’.
The fact I come from the small boating industry segment is a testament to the compact nature and maturity of the boatbuilding sector.
Piero Formenti
“My deep-rooted experience from working within the Association has given me a unified vision of the industry, which I intend to place at the heart of my mandate, putting myself at the disposal of all those who make up our supply chain,” he said.
“The fact I come from the small boating industry segment is a testament to the compact nature and maturity of the boatbuilding sector.
“[We are] now called upon to address issues such as innovation, the green economy, relaunching the domestic market, regulatory simplification, and approaching the next generation, at a time when the economic contingency is particularly penalising towards small manufacturers and the domestic market.”
His priorities as president will include providing effective and engaging representation of the various segments of the supply chain.
He also aims to promote a business culture within members, supporting Made in Italy quality and excellence and to strengthen regulatory lobbying activities to protect the sector’s interests at a national and international level.
In addition, the Association will continue to promote and enhance the Genoa International Boat Show and continue to promote maritime culture and boating and support professional industry training opportunities for younger generations.
