The roundabout dedicated to Riva has been inaugurated. Sarnico celebrates one of its most important ambassadors in the world

July, 23rd 2014 - Sarnico dedicates an everlasting homage to Riva, which anyone will see when moving along the streets of the municipality facing on lake Iseo. The new roundabout dedicated to Riva was inaugurated in the afternoon. It can be found along via Predore, the street flanking the lake where, at the street number 30, the shipyards are located. The roundabout displays a 1:1 scale Ariston hull, Riva’s flagship between the 50’s and the 60’s.
Sarnico’s mayor, Giorgio Bertazzoli, took part in the inauguration together with other representatives of local authorities, the executives of Ferretti Group, to which the brand Riva belongs, and Carlo Riva, who personally supported the initiative suggesting the Ariston as memorial model to be placed at the center of the roundabout.
Ferretti Group made its cutting edge technologies available for the creation of the monument. The Models and Moulds department, at the shipyard in Forlì, traced all the points of the craft through laser scanning, than transferring the data to a computer. A first 1:1 scale model was then created, perfectly matching the original wooden hull.
The roundabout and its monument further enhance the strong connection between Riva, Sarnico and, more in general, the Sebino area, the territory where this successful and excellence story begun. The success of the brand is strictly connected to the development of many local companies supplying the shipyard, working in several different sectors, from steel furniture to tapestry. This roundabout is the timeless witness of all these sectors which have linked their business to the history of Riva.
Carlo Riva, the engineer who has deeply marked the pleasure boating industry with his creative talent, declared: “This roundabout is the symbol of the connection between Riva and the territory, which dates back to more than 170 years ago. I am proud for having paid my personal contribution to this relationship, together with my many collaborators. Just like the Ariston is the symbol of Riva’s wood production perfection to me, I think that this monument perfectly celebrates the union between the company and the territory”.
Giorgio Bertazzoli, the mayor of Sarnico, agrees with Carlo Riva and adds: “It is an honour for me and for Sarnico paying a homage to Riva as a company and as a group of people who made our town famous all over the world, giving working opportunities to the craftsman companies, which have been working in close connection with the shipyard and giving their relevant contribution to local economic development”.
Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group’s CEO adds that the new roundabout is “an actual sign of the interest of Ferretti Group, and of the shareholders of the Weichai Group in particular, to celebrate the prestige of the brand Riva and its connection with the territory. The timeless beauty of the Ariston will last along the years, witnessing the passion and the talent of all the people who contributed to the creation of a legendary craft and brand”.