A very discreet construction site
The announcement that Bavaria Yachts, one of the heavyweights of the European and world yachting industry, had been placed under protection had surprised professionals in the middle of the multihull show, on the eve of a weekend. We had to wait until Monday for an official statement from the company to confirm the news. Since then, little information has filtered through. In its latest release, the shipyard indicated to continue deliveries until the end of June 2018. While the parent company did not wish to respond to our requests, the news obtained from the French subsidiary Bavaria Catamarans is rather positive and denies the rumors of a halt in activity. " We were working together just yesterday. "Gildas Le Masson, director of Bavaria Catamarans, explains. " The process of finding an investor is still underway. "
About ten candidates
According to other sources, about a hundred applications were withdrawn. Bavaria Yachts would then have received about ten applications because of the very short deadline. The profiles of the candidates would be divided between players in the nautical industry, industrialists and investment funds.
Deliveries and orders of Bavaria boats maintained
The production of sailing and motor boats continues in Giebelstadt, Bavaria. " Communication with the shipyard continues and we receive newsletters confirming the terms of orders. We have new boat purchase files in progress and we know how to respond to our customers in terms of procedure and time. " says a dealer. " I have a boat in production and I regularly receive photos. Production continues. We took an order this week. "completes Xavier Fiche, director of Evasion Yachting, Bavaria distributor since 2001.
Peaceful buyers
The Bavaria Yachts dealers we contacted were very positive about the future of the German shipyard. " If it were a small or medium-sized company, it would be another problem, but it is hard to imagine a state as powerful as Bavaria letting such a company go under. We have the summer to be ready for the autumn fairs. " explains a first. "J i am totally confident about the future of Bavaria," says Xavier Fiche. "It's a well-known and recognized brand, with a solid international network supported by large distributors, even if France is a bit of an exception, where the Bénéteau group is present. The only uncertainty is the choice of the future buyer. Will he choose quantity production to compete with the Bénéteau group, or a more qualitative positioning with fewer boats? I would prefer the second option. "
The answer to this question will be determined by the choice of the buyer, which will probably be announced in July.
