Rodriquez group

The Rodriquez group has an outstanding experience in the worldwide market in the field of the construction of high speed ships such as hydrofoils and fast ferries (mono-hulls and catamarans) in aluminium and steel, yacht in fibreglass and aluminium, mine-hunters and fast patrol boats in composite material.

The name of the group derives from the small repair yard established by Leopoldo Rodriquez in 1887 in Messina which in 1956 became the first shipyard in the world to successfully launch the world's first high-speed commercial ship. In 1993 the yard delivered the first and fastest car and passenger mono-hull ferry with speed up to 47 knots.

In 1997, Rodriquez Engineering, the in-house vessel design and engineering centre for Rodriquez as well as for other shipyards, was established.

As a result of several studies carried out by the group in terms of stabilization systems and wake wash, in 1998 Rodriquez Marine Systems was established: the company engineers and markets ride control and stabilization systems, bow thrusters, hydraulic systems, and integrated vessel control systems. These systems are used on all Rodriquez vessels and are marketed globally as well.

At the beginning of 2002 the Pozzuoli (Naples) based pleasure craft builder Conam was acquired: the company specializes in the production of 14 to 24 meter long fibreglass pleasure boats.

Following its diversification strategy, Rodriquez Cantieri Navali acquired in September 2002 the Intermarine shipyard, based in Sarzana on the north west coast of Italy. Intermarine, founded in the early 1970's, is a naval shipyard specialised in the design and manufacture of mine-hunters and patrol boats in composite material: the name Intermarine is historically linked to the design and construction of sophisticated minehunters, unique ships specially equipped for safely hunting and sweeping sea mines, which the company has produced for several Military Marines worldwide. The reason for this success is the innovative and unique construction technique developed by Intermarine, a technique that has been demonstrated as ideal for the construction of the hulls of those vessels used for mine countermeasure operations.

After the acquisition of Intermarine and the establishment and acquisition of other minor companies, the Rodriquez group made some very important strategic changes to its commercial and production organization. The synergies deriving from the integration of the technologies of group companies has allowed Rodriquez to widen its product range operating in different market segment (maritime, defence, leisure boat, stabilization and control systems) with different materials (aluminium, steel, fibreglass, composite material).

The Rodriquez group has always paid particular attention to research and development activities: as of today, the group in working on two innovative research and development project in order to differentiate its fast ferry product range from that of its main competitors.

This projects regard the manufacture of a second generation hydrofoil with immersed wing and an Aliswath. With reference to the first project, a prototype has been built: this prototype, highly innovative compared to the traditional hydrofoils, feature greater comfort, greater stability and operativity of the craft and faster speeds. The Aliswath project is relative to an innovative naval craft characterized by the advantages of a drastic reduction in the phenomenon of the wake wash and a drastic reduction in consumption for the same carrying capacity and speed of the craft. This prototype can carry up to 450 passengers and 60 cars with maximum speed up to 28 knots, with a reduction of approx. 40% in fuel consumption.

Since May 2004, the Rodriquez Group belongs to the Immsi Group which supported the process of strategic and competitive strengthening of the group in order to create a solid platform for future growth prospects.

During 2010, the subsidiaries Conam S.p.A. and Rodriquez Marine System S.r.l. were merged into the controlling company Rodriquez Cantieri Navali S.p.A.: this operation was set out to simplify and streamline the Rodriguez group’s entire chain of control, pursuing many advantages, both in economic, management and in organisational terms.

As at December 31^st, 2010 the Rodriquez group posted Net revenues for approx 113 million euros, with the Intermarine division accounting for approx. 90%.

At the same date, the group employed more than 350 employees while the total book order is equal to approx. 273 million euros and it mainly includes the contract with the Italian Navy for a total value of 176 million euros related to the activities of upgrading of 8 minesweepers of the Gaeta class. Other significant orders related to said division concern the Guardia di Finanza construction and logistics packages programme worth 55 million euros and the programme for the construction of three Finnish minesweepers worth 36 million euros.

Sito del gruppo Rodriquez