Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Major restructure for Groupé Beneteau Worldwide

by Sail-World/Groupé Beneteau 9 Jul 2020 17:32 PDT
Beneteau's network of dealers are taking action and using their initiative © Beneteau

Called 'Let's Go Beyond! strategic plan for 2020-2025', the core essence is cetralisation of planning, shorter and more efficient model development, and significant rationalisation of brands and models. The Groupé's 12 brands are to become just eight, and 183 models will become 128. Glastron, CNB, and Monte Carlo Yachts are some of the brands to be rehoused.

Strategic plan to emerge from the crisis in a stronger position

Groupe Beneteau has further strengthened the strategic plan that it initially drew up during the first quarter of 2020 in order to move more quickly and go further with its adaptation to the period that is taking shape. A more developed financial breakdown of this plan will be presented in autumn 2020, when the Group releases its full-year earnings.

It is inspired by the ambition to facilitate access to the world of boating for everyone by creating simple and innovative solutions for life, with respect for nature and marine balances.

The Board of Directors has approved the plan proposed by the Executive Leadership Team, based on the following key pillars:

  • A strategy built around eight global brands - compared with 12 previously - covering the same number of markets segments with reduced investment thanks to their complementary features and specific positionings;
  • A better level of efficiency for the plants and an acceleration of development times, by specializing industrial assets and adapting product development resources in line with the Product Plan;
  • A more streamlined managerial organization structured around global core functions.

    This evolution is fully aligned with the Group's commitment to being a pioneer for sustainable recreational boating.

    Moving forward, the plan also includes measures to expand its portfolio of downstream activities to include services, in synergy with its distribution networks. The Group's future investments will be focused to a great extent on the digitalization of its activities (Band of Boats transaction platform, CRM, configuration feature, connected boats, etc.) and its processes (ERP, etc.).

    The Housing division, the leading supplier of leisure homes for European campsites, will capitalize on the strong levels of interest in the outdoor accommodation sector and the premiumization of campsites. Thanks to its capacity for innovation and its effective management of production costs, it is targeting market share growth both in France and for export (Italy, Benelux), as well as a double-digit operating margin by the end of the plan.

    The first phase of the plan will move forward in a market environment disrupted by the crisis resulting from Covid-19

    The post-Covid 19 crisis is bringing in a new economic cycle. During an initial period, from 2020 to 2021, the sharp contraction in activity worldwide, which is being observed, will affect the recreational boat market. This is expected to be followed by a significant upturn, whose scale will depend on how quickly the health crisis is resolved.

    With over €600 million of shareholders' equity at February 28, 2020 and €300 million of undrawn confirmed credit lines, which will be further strengthened with a €120 million State-backed loan, and zero net debt, as well as its experience managing previous crises, the Group is therefore preparing to take on board changes in volumes, initially falling then rising, potentially on a similar scale to that seen with the 2008-2009 crisis.

    In view of this, it plans to significantly scale back its production capacity over the coming months, while reducing all of its fixed costs. Discussions are under way with the employee representative partners in France and other countries.

    To be able to share wealth with its employees and shareholders, the Group needs to create it first

    This is the purpose of the Let's Go Beyond! plan, which intends to achieve, when the markets have returned to their 2009 levels, operational profitability of over 10% of revenues.

    More information on the Group's website.

  • Related Articles

    North launches new Wingfoil Race Collection
    Pinch even higher and reach even deeper at pace Pinch even higher and reach even deeper at pace. Engineered with a VMG-optimised partial double skin for improved aerodynamic efficiency, lower drag and precise manoeuvres at higher speeds. Posted today at 10:35 am
    AEGEAN 600 Attica Warm-Up Race
    5th edition sets sail with strong winds and signature Greek hospitality Under perfect sunny skies and brisk northerly winds, the 5th edition of the annual AEGEAN 600 kicked off with a flawless start both on and off the water. Posted on 4 Jul
    GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D5
    Stage set for Finals showdown in Marstrand With just one day to go at the 2025 GKSS Match Cup Sweden and Nordea Women's Trophy, the stage is set for a thrilling finale in both the Open and Women's classes. Posted on 4 Jul
    Sam Goodchild in the Course des Caps
    The final phase is full of potential pitfalls Sam Goodchild, the British skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance who has been dominating the IMOCA round Britain and Ireland race since the start of the third day, says the goal now is to focus on the complex finishing section. Posted on 4 Jul
    29er Europeans at Lake Garda day 2
    Light breeze, boat park buzz and big wins off the water >Day 2 brought lighter winds to Lake Garda, but the energy around the event stayed sky-high. Posted on 4 Jul
    Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais day 3
    French tour de force gives Paprec world championship lead As the Rolex TP52 World Championship passed its midway point today in Cascais, Portugal it is the French underdogs on Paprec, led by ocean racing legend Loïck Peyron, which has taken the overall lead. Posted on 4 Jul
    Rolex Fastnet Race IRC One preview
    Beyond the French legends there is plenty of international talent with podium potential With 17 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race to his name, including five class victories along the way and an outright victory in 2015, could anyone bet against Géry Trentesaux doing it again? Posted on 4 Jul
    International Moth Worlds begin this weekend
    Pre-Worlds are under way at Malcesine From 6 to 13 July 2025, the 2025 Moth World Championship officially gets under way, hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine and preceded by the Pre-Worlds on 4 and 5 July. The event marks the culmination of three weeks entirely dedicated to foiling. Posted on 4 Jul
    K-Challenge gives opinion on proposed Protocol
    Why the 38th edition could usher in a new era for the America's Cup Stephan Kandler and Bruno Dubois, Co-CEOs of K-Challenge, jointly stated: “The provisional Protocol published on 23 May 2025 by Defender Emirates Team New Zealand is an important step forward for the America's Cup." Posted on 4 Jul
    PredictWind to show new race tracker in August
    The Ocean Race joins with PredictWind as Official Tracking and Weather Services Supplier The Ocean Race, often described as the toughest test of a team in sport and widely recognised as a leader in impactful ocean health initiatives, and PredictWind, a global leader in marine weather forecasting, are collaborating on a new race tracker. Posted on 4 Jul
    Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignSea Sure 2025Rooster 2025