Beneteau : Announcements at FLIBS 2018

At the 2018 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), Groupe Beneteau highlighted the progress made with its transformation strategy rolled out in line with the Transform to Perform plan, launched in 2017.

George Armendariz, CEO Groupe Beneteau Americas, shared comments made by Hervé Gastinel, Global Chief Executive Officer, looking back on a year marked by the ramping up of the Group's product selection, the acceleration of its digital transformation and the major strategic investments made.

2018 Fiscal Year Financial Results Show +8.5% Increase in Revenues and +15.3% Increase in Earnings

Revenues for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 totaled EUR 1,287.2 million, while income from ordinary operations reached EUR 87.6 million, respectively up by +8.5% and +15.3% at constant exchange rates (+6.5% and +2.4% at reported data). Net cash at year end increased by +47.7% to EUR 161.9 million. The strong financial performance was driven by market share gains and improvements in operational efficiencies.

The Groupe maintains a strong balance sheet with a solid cash position and minimal borrowings.

Clear, consistent and innovative product strategy for Groupe Beneteau's 10 brands

In just three years, nearly half of the models offered by the Groupe's 10 brands have been renewed (i.e. 88 out of 200 models).

For the 2018-2019 season, the brands - Beneteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Prestige, Monte Carlo Yachts, CNB, Four Winns, Glastron, Wellcraft and Scarab - have unveiled 32 new models.

In addition, the Groupe launched Ship Control technology, a proprietary innovation pioneering connected boats, which has been fitted on the Beneteau Swift Trawler 47, Gran Turismo 50, and Prestige 590.

At the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the Beneteau/Monte Carlo, Jeanneau, Prestige, Monte Carlo Yachts, Four Winns, Glastron, Scarab, and Wellcraft brands are presenting 61 boats, including 14 world premieres.

The Groupe's highly-anticipated new catamaran brand also revealed its name - EXCESS - and its modern, sporty line-up at FLIBS (see full press pack). For the multihull segment, on which the Lagoon brand is the world leader for catamaran cruisers, EXCESS brings a complementary range for enjoying life at sea.

The Groupe's 'small boats' strategy aims to make boating experiences accessible for as many people as possible, notably by attracting a younger clientele. The acquisition of Seascape and its performance cruisers has reinforced the Beneteau and Jeanneau brands' global leadership in the monohull sailing segment. Alongside this, the acquisition of Delphia Yachts will further strengthen the Groupe's positions in the dynamic and strategic outboard motorboat segment. Delphia Yachts brings additional product development and production capacity in Poland.

As the world's leading boat builder, Groupe Beneteau aims to be the global benchmark for all boating experiences

A number of strategic initiatives have been launched in 2017-18, including Jeanneau joining Beneteau as exclusive partners of SailTime in America, as well as the launch of Beneteau Boat Club and the Jeanneau alliance with Freedom Boat Club in Europe. These transformations reflect the Groupe's capacity for innovative and daring approaches. They are enabling it to better understand the changes in recreational boat users' expectations and practices, which is vital for shaping future boating experiences.

Sustainable industrial strategy driven by key investments internationally

This year, the Groupe's manufacturing sites have further strengthened their production capacity, flexibility, and multipurpose capabilities. A number of investments have been rolled out in France, Poland and the US. Production transfers have been organized, enabling the Groupe to benefit from an international industrial platform that is focused on producing more boats as close as possible to areas of consumption.

In Europe, the acquisition of Delphia Yachts will strengthen Groupe Beneteau's product development and production capacity by adding a second production site in Poland, in addition to the newly expanded Ostroda facility. This operation has also ramped up product development capacity, benefiting from its new R&D and prototyping center.

The US continues to be a strategic market for the Groupe. This is highlighted by the reopening of the Sport Plant after a 10-year hiatus, providing a second production site in Cadillac (Michigan). This year, the Groupe also launched Groupe Beneteau Financial Services - aimed at meeting the wholesale and retail financing needs of our brands' American customers and dealers.

Lastly, on July 18, the Groupe announced the new organization for its Asia-Pacific office, bringing together all of the region's staff in a single office in Hong Kong. This reorganization aims to enable the Groupe to further strengthen and expand its operations in this particularly strategic region.

'Better organized and focused on its business model, Groupe Beneteau has sound financial foundations in place and an effective action plan to continue developing. As a market leader, we aim to continue moving forward, raising standards and imagining what has never been done before. I want the Groupe to become the global benchmark serving all boating experiences', confirms Hervé Gastinel, Groupe Beneteau Global Chief Executive Officer.