On July 12, 2018, Groupe Beneteau signed an agreement with the Polish yard Delphia Yachts with a view to acquiring its operations designing, building and marketing sailing and motor yachts under the Delphia Yachts and Maxi Yachts brands and for other firms (including Groupe Beneteau). This acquisition will be made through a Polish entity in which Delphia Yachts will retain 20% of the capital.
Founded in 1990 and based in Olecko, Delphia Yachts is now one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading boat builders. Since 1990, it has built over 25,000 units. In 2017, it recorded revenues of PLN 130 million (c.€30 million), with PLN 9 million (c.€2 million) in income from ordinary operations, and it currently employs 670 people.
This acquisition is in line with the objectives for growth from the Group’s Transform to Perform strategic plan, particularly in terms of:
- Increasing industrial capacity, with an 18,000 sq.m production site in Poland, specialized in building outboard motorboats and small sailing yachts, which the Group is developing a targeted strategy around;
- Increasing development capacity, capitalizing on Delphia Yachts’ new prototyping and R&D center;
- Further strengthening the product range in the liveaboard monohull sailing and river motorboat segments;
- Developing the Group’s international capabilities, through the Delphia Yachts and Maxi Yachts brands’ strong commercial presence on the Central and Eastern European and Scandinavian markets.
The acquisition of Delphia Yachts’ business is expected to be completed within the next few months, subject to obtaining the regulatory approvals required.
“To support its development on the dynamic and strategic segment for outboard motorboats and small sailing yachts, Groupe Beneteau will be able to capitalize on Delphia Yachts’ industrial capacity and expertise. This acquisition will further strengthen the Group’s solid positions and is in line with its long-term strategy for sustainable and profitable growth”, confirms Hervé Gastinel, Groupe Beneteau CEO.
Subsequent press announcements indicate that the deal was completed
Blessed with sunshine and light winds, the annual rally at Shepards Wharf was attended by 11 Maxis and 25 crew. As before, Shepards had us raft up and non-Maxi boats were moved away to ensure a convivial rally atmosphere. Organized this year by Andy and Pam Verdon in Ariam, the other yachts were Pell Mell (Sarah and Peter O’Donnell), Suive (Richard and Lorraine Sams, with Rod and Carole Minkey aboard), Genepy (Tricia and Richard Morrison), Walk of Life (Peter and Joan Lloyd), Blue Lightning (Peter and Sarah Sands), Moondust (Rob and Julie Powter) and, joining a Maxi rally for the first time, Kevin Manville in Eye of Horus and Tony and Therese Rice in Freya. Bill MacFarlane elected to leave Out of the Blue on her berth in East Cowes, but made sure that he did not miss the pontoon party! A slightly surprised Gavin and Clarissa berthed alongside in Amazing Grace and, as MOA members, found themselves invited to (and already paying for) the pontoon party. As the sun went down, the Cowes water taxis ferried the team to UKSA where dinner was served, followed by a short talk on the amazing work done by the charity. The extremely reasonable price for dinner included a donation per-head to UKSA, which many people topped up with a further offering. The MOA enjoys an excellent relationship with UKSA, which provides an ideal facility for this kind of event. Without losing anyone into the Medina, the water taxis returned us in the dark to Shepards, in time for cocoa and bedtime stories. Good sailing conditions the following morning saw the participants sail away, some with cruising chutes up all the way to Chichester! A really nice final rally for the season.
The last rally for 2018 is approaching fast and will be at Shepards Wharf on Sat 29th Sept/Sun 30th Sept. This is a change to the advertised date in the 2018 rally programme. High tide at Cowes is 14.18hrs on Sat 29th & 14.37hrs on Sun 30th Sept (BST). Contact Shepards Marina VHF 80 on arrival and advise part of Maxi Rally – Tel 01983 297821
Article by Malcolm Denham (Maxi 1100 Misty Blue) on the repair of a Johnson WPS 3.4 fresh water pump
In summary, fabulous weather with 9 boats and 22 people plus several four legged friends.
Note – David Lemare deep in thought, “Suive” is in the mud & our Chairman is looking contented.
Berthed in two rafts, one of 5 yachts & one of four. Aloni with hatches wide open & David Brown’s (Leda of Hamble) with very effective sun awning in the background.
Final attendance – Aloni (2), Amylou (4), Atlantide (3), Genepy (2), Lady Penelope (2), Leda of Hamble (2) Looking for Kloos (2), Suive (2) & Sea Wolf (3)
Following the pontoon party on Suive (yes, we did manage to get everyone on our boat) Saturday evening dinner was at the Brading Haven Yacht Club. Our host from the YC turned out to be a regular Maxi sailor on Dodger of Gosport, a Maxi 1100 based at Portcullis Sailing Club in Gosport. We are also pleased to note that the boat share has MOA membership.
During the pontoon party the water taxi driver broke the news that there wasn’t enough water for the trip to the YC; fortunately, most of us were happy to walk. Our only injured sailor was given a lift in the water taxi driver’s car. Really good customer care by the Bembridge Harbour personnel.
Bembridge was incredibly busy; the convenient tides and the amazing weather made it a great weekend. Three yachts arrived on Friday and there was a carnival atmosphere. The marina was completely full. Some of us walked into Bembridge and/or Seaview whilst others went to the beach.
Special mention of Tricia, from Genepy, who worked hard to produce impressive, colourful bunting especially for the occasion. We still have to decode the flags – a prize will be given to the first person who manages to translate the signal. Gary Heward, Amylou, has new racing sails and we are very envious. We were pleased to welcome David Lack (Atlantide) and his crew to his first MOA Rally and hope that he will come again. A fun and very enjoyable time was had by all and we are now looking forward to Itchenor in August.
Happy sailing
Richard & Lorraine Sams
“Suive”