Skippers bring NKE on board the L30 and Figaro 3
More accustomed to retrofitting, ocean racing prototypes or small shipyards, the electronics manufacturer NKE has signed two major contracts for the Figaro Bénéteau 3 and the L30. The two models of sailboats, one sailing on the Figaro ocean racing circuit and the other on the offshore sailing world championship in creation, are intended for professional sailors, often familiar with NKE equipment. On the other hand, they are built by standard shipyards usually mounting other categories of electronic equipment. But the reputation of the equipment played in favor of the Lorient-based manufacturer. "For the L30, Rodion Luka, its promoter, who comes from the Olympics, is not an electronics specialist. He consulted with ocean racing skippers and then followed their recommendations," explains Stéphane Siohan, NKE sales manager. On the Figaro 3 side, NKE had a partnership with the Figaro Class on the previous one-design. For the new boat, Bénéteau had positioned itself with its usual supplier, but the skippers preferred to retain the grouping set up by TEEM, NKE and ICOM for the electrical and electronic supplies.
Large volumes of boats
The challenge for NKE on the Figaro 3 and L30 projects is also to install and supply the equipment simultaneously for a large volume of boats. "The plan is to launch 30 boats for the offshore racing championship in Malta in 2020. The construction is done in Ukraine in a yard where the technicians do not speak English. We don't just send boxes!" summarizes Stéphane Siohan, "It's a simple configuration, but the latest generation," adds Paul Fraisse, director of NKE.
For the Figaro 3, the first challenge was to be ready for the start of the 2019 season. "There were 60 sailboats in the water in one and a half months, after all!" emphasizes Paul Fraisse. "All hands were on deck when there were small problems, like reinforcing the display brackets. The management in partnership with Bénéteau was very good."
NKE opens up to ocean racing and Anglo-Saxon yachting
Beyond the volumes, these projects are also an international showcase for the NKE brand. "There were six L30 one-designs in Genoa with NKE flags on them. We're going to reach out internationally, through the world championship, to people all over the world who don't know us. It's also a step towards the Olympic Games project," says Paul Fraisse. The Figaro, offered with the TEEM / NKE pack as an option to comply with the rules, is also a vector of export in a class that is becoming international and beyond: "Today, for the Transquadra, customers are asking for the 'Figaro pack'!"
