New owner for Chris Craft
The American group Winnebago Industries Inc. has announced that it has acquired the Chris Craft powerboat brand from Stellican Ltd. The British investor, which also owned the Riva brand in the past, had owned the yard since 2001. The amount of the transaction remains confidential, but the integration should be effective during fiscal year 2019. Chris Craft President Stephen Heese is retained and the company continues to operate out of its Sarasota, Florida facility. It will operate as a separate business unit.
First step in boating
Winnebago Group, based in Iowa, specializes in high-end outdoor equipment. He builds caravans and campervans. The acquisition of Chris Craft, a renowned motor boat builder since 1874, is the first step in the group's diversification into the yachting industry, explains Michael Happe, CEO of Winnebago. "Chris Craft marks Winnebago's first entry into the boating market, which we believe has significant growth potential, with a large and growing population of current and future boaters
New models and new production lines
The new owner of Chris Craft says he wants to launch new models, while increasing production capacity, through new assembly lines. Its CEO hopes for commercial synergies. "We see a significant intersection between boating and recreational vehicles and see marine as a natural extension of our current portfolio in the outdoor industry, with a similar customer demographics and a significant crossover of owners
