A European player in sail making
French sailmakers Delta Voiles and Incidence Sails are now under the same roof. Bernard Mallaret, manager and main shareholder of Delta Voiles, has announced that he has sold his shares to the Incidence group, in which it joins the sailmaker Incidence Sails and Incidence Technologies, the subsidiary in charge of technological development. The director retains his functions in the company, while ensuring an advisory function within Incidence Holding. The group now weighs 17.5 Meuros and employs 135 people.
The right partner to develop Delta Voiles
Contacted by BoatIndustry, Bernard Mallaret presents this agreement as the culmination of a process started several years ago to ensure the future of Delta Voiles. "The history of Delta Voiles has been going on for 46 years. With the evolution of sailmaking, the costs of technological developments are not within the reach of medium-sized sailmakers. There will obviously remain small service sailmakers. On the other hand, for medium-sized companies of the size of Delta Voiles, it is necessary to rely on a group. In a process started 10 years ago, I met all the major French and international sailmakers without succeeding in finding an agreement to keep the independence and the brand of Delta Voiles. With the Incidence group, we share a common value. Delta Voiles keeps its independence within the group."
Complementarities
The manager of Delta Voile also insists on the complementarity of the two brands "There will not be too much frontal competition. While we have a network of distributors, Incidence works directly with its own sales force. Incidence has a know-how on very large boats. Delta Voiles knows well the smaller boats. We will be able to do joint R&D and cross-fertilize our proprietary products."
A step in the development of Incidence Group
Yannick Richomme, in charge of the development of the Incidence group, is pleased with the renewed confidence of shareholders through this operation. "The purchase of Delta Voiles is done through a capital increase, which reflects the confidence of our shareholders in the development strategy of the group. Development can take many forms. It began with technology and our filamentary products, and it continues with this external acquisition. Incidence is still very much a French company and we now need to think about how to achieve stronger international growth." When asked about future projects, Mr. Richomme does not reveal anything but opens the door to nautical activities outside of sailmaking. Ambitions that should be followed.
