PLH switches on the lights for the yachting sector

The first edition of Seaquip marked the return – more than a first entry – of PLH to the yachting market. The company, led by Enrico Corelli, manufactures electrical control plates.

PLH previously exhibited at METSTRADE in Amsterdam and at the Monaco Yacht Show, but at the Rho exhibition the company was clearly “playing at home”, being based in Milan, where it was founded in 2005 as an evolution of Epic, a company active in the systems engineering sector.

The entrepreneur’s idea was to “elevate” the electrical control plate, which until then had been considered a secondary element of décor and interior design, giving it strong content in terms of design, ergonomics and aesthetics.

The move from the world of interiors to the nautical sector came later, as the natural evolution of a positioning strategy that became increasingly focused and high-end.

PressMare interviewed Corelli at the PLH stand.

PressMare – Why did you decide to be at Seaquip? What do you see in this event?

Enrico Corelli – We see an ambition from the organisers to try to make Milan a reference hub for marine components. Challenging METSTRADE will certainly be difficult because it represents the history of this sector, but many shipyards and manufacturers of components, fittings and supplies are Italian, and Milan is becoming increasingly central for Europe in many respects.

PM – How long have you been active in this sector? How important is yachting within your business?

EC – We entered the nautical sector in 2017 for various reasons: some forward-thinking architects began using our products on board certain yachts, and from there the product gradually gained traction. Collaboration with designers has been the key. Today the nautical sector represents about one third of our turnover and the share is steadily growing.

PM – In how many sectors do you operate?

EC – Essentially three: residential, hospitality and marine. Hospitality can generate significant numbers even with limited supplies because the volumes are different: a hotel can range from 25 to 300 rooms. Today many architectural studios active in residential projects are also moving into yachting, which makes things easier.

PM – Which clients do you work with? Can you mention some names?

EC – In Italy we work with the Ferretti Group, Cantiere delle Marche, ISA, Baglietto, Sanlorenzo, Vismara and Tankoa, just to name a few. Internationally we collaborate with Lürssen, Feadship, Turquoise and others.

PM – How is your company organised and how many people work there?

EC – Our company has thirteen employees and is entirely Italian. The production facility is located about fifteen minutes from Rho. All our production is Made in Italy, largely managed in-house, and what is not produced internally is manufactured by subcontractors working exclusively for us. Since we do not use moulds but work to order, we want daily control over the production process.

PM – What are your choices in terms of design and materials?

EC – PLH’s philosophy is to machine components from solid material. That is how we started and we will continue that way, so everything that can be machined with CNC equipment is part of our DNA. We started with aluminium, then introduced brass, and for several years we have also been working with 316 stainless steel.

PM – Are there differences between the products you supply to the nautical sector and those for residential or hospitality projects?

EC – Absolutely not, because we have always tried to replicate the specific characteristics of one sector in the other two. For example, the use of IP67 protection (a rating against dust and water ingress, ed.) for components was initially requested in the hospitality sector for certain resorts in the Maldives and was later applied to yachting as well.

PM – Speaking about products, what new developments are you planning?

EC – In a few days we will launch a new product with two main features: firstly, it will reinterpret products from the 1960s and 1970s in our own way, and secondly, steel will play the leading role. Those who know us are aware that our distinctive feature is assisting clients throughout the entire design process, from the initial concept to completion, because we originally come from systems engineering and therefore understand the installation phase as well. Finally, we have no minimum order limits: if someone designs a completely different control plate, we enjoy producing it.

Riccardo Masnata

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