Eric Delas took over the presidency of Beacher, the motor boat brand in the Arcachon basin, in January 2018. It answers BoatIndustry's questions about the present and future of the company.
You've been Beacher's head for six months. What path has led you to this position?
We took over the Beacher site with 2 partners in January 2018. Before that, I had my first life in finance and insurance. Then I set up activities in the furniture and art trade. I was in a logic of investment on the territory of Arcachon. The opportunity to take over Beacher presented itself: a brand with a beautiful image, anchored on the basin and with development possibilities outside the basin. One of my partners knew Fabrice Dufour, the founder of Beacher, who wanted to sell his business. We proposed our project, with my 2 partners, also investors from the region. He was selected against the other offers.
What is Beacher's current operating model and business for 2018?
Today, I assume the presidency and operational management. There are no employees at Beacher. Our boats are made with craftsmen from the region, historical partners. We work with Couach, Nautiplast and the Testerin shipyard. There are about 25 people who build about ten boats a year for us. We are currently delivering the boats of the season. Beachers are special products because of our ability to customize them.
What are your plans for the future of Beacher powerboats and the company?
Initially, the objective is to secure the existing system. We are then in a development logic outside the Arcachon basin by extending the dealer network. There are already some beauchers on the lagoons in Mauritius or Tahiti. We have good feedback from the boat's behaviour in the Mediterranean, where we want to develop.
The industrial model is proven, even if it will evolve to keep pace with the increase in production volume. We have to find a balance between the number of boats produced and customization. Above all, we do not want standardization.
Finally, we want to expand the range, now organized around an offer in 9.50m overall and two boats of 7 and 8.20 m overall. We think about which sector to attack, in terms of size and type of boat, without going head-on with the big players and staying in the niche boats.
