Riviera drops Grand Banks and Princess

by Riviera on 29 Jun 2009 Riviera has announced plans to focus exclusively on the development and build of the Riviera brand of boats for its large client base and dealer network around the world, dropping its distribution of US brand, Grand Banks Yachts and UK brand, Princess Yachts.

“The Riviera brand has achieved iconic status over 29 years and our future success will be driven by our ability to enhance that position,” said CEO John Anderson. “As we have previously announced, we are restructuring the Riviera business in order to survive the current economic climate.

“As a result, effective July 1st, 2009 Riviera has announced that we are separating from Princess Yachts and Grand Banks Yachts as the distributors for Australia and New Zealand.”

Will Green, Sales Director at Princess Yachts International, said: 'Princess Yachts International has been working with R Marine since August 2006 and we feel that the cooperation between our companies has been a very positive one in terms of brand representation and in maintaining the highest levels of quality, service and customer care for our owners.

“Through the dedicated Princess team at R Marine, our relationship with Princess Owners throughout Australia and New Zealand has gone from strength to strength and we are grateful for their efforts.

“Our relationship with Riviera has remained strong through these difficult times and it is our intention to work together over the coming months to realise a new distributorship structure for Princess with the help and assistance of the Riviera Group and their R Marine network of dealers, all of whom we have found to be both dedicated and highly professional.'

Robert Livingston, Chief Executive Officer and President of Grand Banks Yachts Ltd, said: 'Grand Banks has enjoyed a long and successful association with Riviera for over 20 years. Initially Riviera built selected models under licence for a period and, more recently, the R Marine dealership network has represented the Grand Banks brand since 2007 in Australia and New Zealand.

'During this period R Marine has contributed to the growth of Grand Banks in the region and has given our valued owners the care and respect they deserve.

“To ensure the ongoing support of Grand Banks customers, and to allow Riviera to continue to restructure their business, Grand Banks has established a new sales and service network in Australia.

“We would like to thank Riviera and the R Marine network for their support of Grand Banks and wish them all the success in the future.'

All enquires regarding Princess in Australia and New Zealand can be directed by email to wgreen@princessyachts.com

Enquiries regarding Grand Banks in Australia and New Zealand can be directed to Hank Compton at email hankc@grandbanks.com

Both Princess Yachts and Grand Banks Yachts will have corporate displays on the marina at the 2009 Sydney International Boat Show.

More at www.riviera.com.au