Company History

In 1996 “Plamen Ikonomov” SP – Ruse, registered under a verdict No 2882/June 12th 1992 of The Regional Court of Ruse had as a main activity the import and the distribution of poliamid silk for the needs of the Bulgarian socks and tights producers.

Under a verdict No 1768/July 29th 2005 The Regional Court of Ruse entered ICS Bulgaria Ltd. as a successor of “Plamen Ikonomov” SP in the list of the commercial companies. Mr Plamen Ikonomov is a director of the company.

Since 2004 ICS Bulgaria Ltd. have got into the machinery and equipment business quite successfully. The company traded electronic socks knitters in and outside the territory of Bulgaria.

Since 2005 the company added one more activity – building enterprising. There have been finishing successfully the building of the biggest and the modern factory for socks production in Bulgaria and a large business center.

Since 2007 ICS Bulgaria Ltd. have started successfully to develop high class motor yachts selling. For the purpose the company enlarged the ICS corporative segment, establishing a specified unit ICS Yachting LTD (Ikonomov’s Cruise Systems) which is to specialize in the luxury yachts market development. The company has concluded contracts for dealership with BAIA – Italy and COUACH – France. We aim to become leaders in this segment on the Bulgarian and Romanian market. Regarding yachts selling, the company work perfectly with Hypo-Alpe-Adria Leasing and with their successful cooperation we strive for reaching our goal to be leaders in this line.

As a commercial company, the firm does its best to reach the desired level of development. The marketing research contribute successfully for positioning of the products not only on the home market but on the foreign market.

It guarantees an assured income, constant clients and good image. Due to the high quality of the offered products and services, to the business assistants` fluent communicative skills through the years the company succeeded in contacting Turkish, Greek, Romanian, Latvian, Macedonian, Dutch, Italian and French companies.

The purposes of the company are corporation growth, enlarging its image and establishing new markets in the territory of Bulgaria and abroad.

Our beginnings

March 1961 - In the small Mericraft facility in Naples, wooden day cruisers started being produced.

1968 - Mericraft moved to Baia, an ancient port where ships were docked during the Roman Empire. The perfect base for a shipyard, with its sound seafaring tradition guaranteeing skilled manpower. In addition to expanding its construction of cruisers, Mericraft also successfully provides refitting services.

1971- 72- The Capasso family berthed at Baia, at the Mericraft shipyard, and commissioned the restoration of their 27-meter sailing yacht. A crisis in the industry and management problems prevented any work being done on the yacht for a year.
Mericraft's personnel went on strike: at the end of 1972 the Capasso family decided to take the shipyard over. Under new ownership, the name was changed to Cantieri di Baia Spa - Mericraft. Improvements were immediately made to the structure to make it more efficient and functional. A new director was appointed to reopen the shipyard, which still focused on docking.

History is written with the Pascia

1976 - 77 Antonio Capasso became fully engaged in the shipyard. 1977 marked the manufacture of a gozzo that was very revolutionary at the time. This was the Pasci-, featuring a wide round stern, a fiberglass structure and hull as well as teak deck and interiors. It was one of the first boats, especially of this type, to use a table with hydraulic feet providing a comfortable lunch area that could be easily changed into a spacious sundeck.

1978 Jeroboam was created, a 12-metre fiberglass classic cabin cruiser with a teak deck: a revolutionary conception in the Italian industry and market of that time. With its sporty and slender lines, it was also very pleasant and refined, featuring interior parquet flooring and a teak deck. The perfect competitor for American boats.

A specific facility was constructed for the production of fiberglass crafts...

The B81 and counter molded fiberglass

1980 The B81 marked a turning point in production: the craft was made entirely out of counter molded fiberglass. Though directly based on the Jeroboam, it was lower in the water and had a more attractive line. It was so successful that 106 models were made in ten years.
With the shipyard increasing its skill and experience, its employees acquired increasing expertise in working with fiberglass.

It was a short step from the B81 to the smaller B33. In the same period the B33 was fitted with a very fast keel and the Arneson propulsion system. Baia was a forerunner in adopting this system and was rewarded with excellent results.

The hulls gained in speed and maneuverability, with a very low glide speed, resulting in an ideal sailing trim even with moderate seas.

The Baia shipyard lands in the USA

1983 Another turning point was marked by the B50, whose keel was designed by Don Arrow and Trimming. The craft, made using an American mould, was fast, performing, comfortable, versatile and elegant. With the B50 making history, the fame of the Baia crossed the national boarders and its brand also began to be known in the American market.

1984 - Baia of America, the shipyard-s first sales office in the US, was opened in Miami. The following year the first B50 is sold in Florida.

1986 - The Baia shipyard concentrated on large-sized crafts, serving a dual purpose, i.e. meeting new internal demand and penetrating markets where crafts are used for longer periods, in terms of both time and seasons.

The innovative B60 was launched. It was much bigger and wider than normal opens and featured a flush deck beyond any standard size making it ideal for Arneson propulsion. It was the first of a new race of opens: fast single deck boats with great sea holding, excellent maneuverability and great versatility.

1990 - The B50 won the Venice-Montecarlo, with an average speed of 58.5 knots and a maximum speed of 75 knots. In control were the couple Gioffredi - Di Meglio, world champions of the previous year, asserting Baia's ability to construct speedboats.

Technology in synergy with the University.

1992 - The Material Engineering Faculty of the University of Naples decided to support the shipyard in the technological innovation of the production process to construct the B60 and future crafts. The EU also financed the shipyard-s research.

In the same year the B80 was launched, an 80-foot open which was inconceivable at the time. On its first launch, the craft recorded a speed of 40 knots, cutting through the water like a missile. The B80 incorporated all the features that would make Baia-s production unique, such as the attractive line and the highly refined internal finishing. The market welcomed this new addition and still today, in its renewed and technologically advanced version, this open cruiser offers pleasant sailing at 50 knots.

In 1992, Baia also joined the world of cabin cruisers with a 105- one off with one deck and a half, three engines and equipped for Atlantic navigation and independence. Ivana Trump purchased the yacht. By now the Baia shipyard had two markets, with 55% of its production destined for the domestic market and 45% for exports.

Economic and social changes and new market needs led to further evolution and Baia began exploring new routes.
To widen its user base, its boats were made even more versatile. Careful studies on optimizing space, the ergonomics of interiors and modernizing of the entire production process were carried out.

The expansion of markets segments

1995 - The B Zero was launched, a small boat designed to be mass-produced in a short time. American experts on mass production were consulted for technical aspects. It was the start of Baia-s global escalation: exports in the following years increased to 80%.

1988 - 2003 Baia widened its horizons and opened dealerships in Miami, Davis, Los Angeles, Santo Domingo, C'te d'Azur, England, Greece, Spain, Turkey, Norway, Odessa and Dubai. Today in all these countries, Baia guarantees specialized assistance, spare parts and a constant and direct contact with the shipyard. A great result for the Italian economy, considering that 80% of the end product is produced in Italy-design and conception included.

Our current range

1998 - Flash 48'
1999 - Azzurra 63'
2000 - Aqva 54'
2003 - Atlantica 78'
2005 - Baia One 43'
2007 - Italia 70'

100 years of marine know-how

Thanks to Albert COUACH, the COUACH adventure began in 1897 with the creation of the marine engine. In the 1950's under the incentive of Guy COUACH, the family business became the first to mass produce boats. But not just any kind of mass production! COUACH was the first site in the world to construct boats using Aramat; a fiberglass based material.

Since then, COUACH's progress in naval construction has made it France's number one composite yacht constructor.

This progress applies equally to cruisers and patrol boats (PLASCOA).

All working together on the same site, at the heart of Arcachon bay, our 300 craftsmen employ their skills to create unique and exceptional products.