On the outskirts of Ravenna, Italy — a city more famed for Byzantine arts than marine technology — Quick Group has built one of the most respected names in marine equipment. Ever since founder and CEO Michele Marzucco started PM Marina with a partner in the 1980s, Quick Group has grown into a vertically integrated manufacturer of on-board equipment, including thrusters, stabilization systems, lighting systems, anchoring solutions and much more.
Today, Quick Group operates in more than 110 countries. It has 450 employees, six brands, 53,000 products manufactured monthly, subsidiary headquarters in the U.K. and the United States, and more than 4,000 SKUs in its books. Since 2022, Quick Group has been working in partnership with Italian investment firms to continue growth.
But beyond all of that, Quick Group is a story of generational transformation, and the soul of the company remains a meld of Italian craftsmanship and modern manufacturing.
The Origins
Back in the ’80s, Marzucco’s PM Marina was a modest venture. “At the time, there wasn’t the groupwide vision we have today,” Marzucco told Soundings Trade Only. “From the very beginning, our goal was to become a reliable partner for shipyards and yacht owners.”
By 1992, Marzucco had acquired a small but promising marine manufacturer called Quick. That laid the foundation for a company built with a rigorous focus on product quality, self-reliance and innovation. “What mattered to us was the product,” Marzucco says. “We systematically revisited the acquired companies’ products from a
technical standpoint to make them more modern and technologically advanced.”
The company also acquired Catt, which offers manufacturing services instead of products. “We needed a strong partner for mechanical machining and plastic injection mold production,” Marzucco says, “so we went ahead and acquired it.”
In the decades that followed, Quick expanded rapidly, adding battery chargers, bow thrusters, stabilizers, water heaters and LED lighting to its offerings, either through in-house development or through acquisitions. The company’s Ravenna headquarters today spans more than 322,000 square feet and includes departments for electronics, mechanics, stabilization, lighting and software. All of the products are designed, produced, assembled and tested in Italy. The setup allows Quick to deliver complete systems to OEM clients — from anchoring to stabilization to control panels, proudly “Made in Italy.”
“Manufacturing in Italy is part of our core values,” Marzucco says. “It’s in line with our sustainability plan and our obsessive attention to quality control. Quick has been, is and will always be a 100% ‘Made in Italy’ company.”
That commitment has translated into market trust, Marzucco says: “Hard work, a steady hand on the helm, competent and dedicated team members, and a rigorous quality control process, both incoming and outgoing. The rest is confirmed by the market, where we are leaders, and by the customers who have rewarded us and continue to do so with their loyalty.”
In 2018, he brought his children, Chiara and Carlo Marzucco, into ownership and leadership. Chiara, with a background in marketing and business, took on brand strategy and communications. Carlo, trained in operations and logistics, assumed responsibility for streamlining manufacturing and integrating acquisitions. Under their stewardship, the company launched digital outreach campaigns, expanded technical education efforts, and prioritized factory-floor efficiency.
Growing and Growing
Soon, the Marzuccos wanted outside capital and broader infrastructure. In 2022, the company sold a majority stake to Fondo Italiano d’Investimento and Armònia — both Italian private equity firms known for supporting industrial excellence. Major acquisitions followed: Sanguineti Chiavari (with production of hydraulic and electric motion systems, including gangways, ladders and platforms); Nemo Industrie (with a wide range of products, including doors, portholes and hatches); and Xenta Systems (specializing in on-board control and maneuvering systems).
“Sanguineti, Nemo and Xenta are all healthy companies made up of good people and hard workers,” Marzucco says. “That allowed us to overcome what is usually the biggest hurdle, the human factor, which is also the greatest asset. The rest was achieved through group processes and strong managerial leadership.”
As for promoting and sustaining the company’s growth, Marzucco says, “I’ve always believed that word of mouth — the so-called ‘dockside radio’ — is the best form of advertising. That said, over the years we’ve invested heavily in trade shows, events, publications and more. But at our core, we’re still a company that prefers to show what we do through actions rather than words.”
Sustainability
In 2024, Quick Group rolled out a sustainability program aimed at reducing carbon emissions, investing in renewables and bringing transparency to its supply chain. “Sustainability is a core value for the group,” Marzucco says. “It has become an increasingly important criterion for differentiating companies within the sector with both end consumers — who are more attuned to these issues — and shipyards placing greater emphasis on it.”
Solar panels have been installed on the Ravenna campus, and a full audit of packaging, materials and logistics is underway. The group’s next step is expected to be extending these practices across its acquisitions to align production and documentation standards. “We are continuing to work with the same goals, with the utmost commitment to sustainability,” he says.
Earlier this year, Sanguineti completed its relocation to new headquarters in Casarza Ligure, Italy, allowing for closer collaboration. The move comes after a two-year, $4.7 million investment in an 86,000-square-foot facility.
Supporting Owners
Also this year, the company introduced a new suite of services called moreCare at the Palm Beach International Boat Show. The platform covers installation assistance, extended warranties, life-cycle service plans and more. “It’s about being a reliable partner from the very beginning,” Marzucco says. “Starting with equipment selection and installation, all the way through to future trade-ins or remanufacturing options.”
Launched first in the United States, moreCare is supported by certified technicians, a factory service program and Quick USA’s expanded presence in Florida. The program is staffed by certified technicians with factory support to give owners local help quickly and efficiently. As part of the launch, Quick Group introduced an extended warranty program, starting with the MC² gyroscopic stabilizer, one of its flagship products. “And that’s just the beginning,” Marzucco says, adding that “moreCare is a growing platform.”
On the Horizon
Quick Group’s global orientation has made it susceptible to tariffs and policy shifts — particularly in the United States, its most important growth market. “The global situation is uncertain,” Marzucco says. “We’ve adjusted our price lists to reflect the tariffs, like everyone else. We have a responsibility to the many families who depend on us, and we can’t afford missteps.”
Marzucco remains deeply inspired by the marine industry and motivated by where it will take Quick Group and boaters worldwide. “Improving life on board and ensuring user safety — that’s what inspires me now,” he says. “We want to reduce pollution, improve comfort and support yachts that reach places tourism hasn’t even touched yet.”
Still, Quick Group feels like a family business because, in many ways, it is. “It’s a long and ongoing journey,” Marzucco says. “Bringing together a group where everyone rows in the same direction is never a given.”
Quick Group Brands
MC2 stabilization products
Viator fins, Intercepta X and IN series trim tabs, Quick gyrostabilizer
Quick Nautical Equipment
Anchor windlasses, battery chargers and inverters, bow thrusters, water heaters and electronic controls
Sanguineti
Hydraulic and electric motion systems, including gangways, ladders and platforms for yachts, superyachts and refits
Xenta
Integrated control systems for on-board operations, vessel maneuvers and navigation
Nemo
Doors, portlights, hatches and non-hinged hatches, flybridge hatches and other equipment
Quick Marine Lighting
Underwater lights, wall lights, anti-glare downlights, reading lights and step lights
