Romuald Tuffery, new owner of Construction Navale Franck Roy, answers questions from BoatIndustry.
How did you organize the takeover of the site with Franck Roy and what is your background?
After a professional baccalaureate in electronic and embedded systems, I quickly created my own company in IT, which I have been running since 2013. WestInfo now employs 21 people. During my 1st meeting with Franck Roy at the Nautic 2018, we discussed at length his transfer project. I then went to visit the yard in Marsilly. After 1 year of work with Franck on the takeover, the necessary team and the development project of the company, the transfer became official this November 4, 2019. I already have links with sailing, being originally from Les Sables d'Olonne where it is very present. WestInfo also participated in the computer installation of Benjamin Dutreux's IMOCA.
How is the takeover going from the point of view of the industrial tool and the personnel?
The site is moving from Marsilly to Achards in the Vendée. We are in the process of moving in. All the tools and molds of the boats are moved. The shipyard is moving into an old carpentry, made of wood, with nice floors, which fits well with the identity of the shipyard. Finding the right premises took time. From the point of view of the organization of the premises, we started from scratch.
The move was necessary because the new team will rely on Romain Dana for the design office, formerly of Bénéteau, and Antoine Potier as workshop manager, both from Vendée. So it was easier. I will be in charge of sales, assisted by a student technician-commercial. In addition, there are 3 people in production, plus a recruitment planned for early 2020.
What is your development strategy and what are your production objectives?
The short-term idea is to rework the brand and refocus on the flagship models of the Solenn and Morgann ranges. Later, there is the idea of a new range close to the Solenn for dayboat.
Of the 208 boats sold since the creation of the shipyard by Franck Roy, 90% have been sold in France. I would like to find foreign customers. This is done through a network of dealers, even if we are not obviously operating like a group like Bénéteau. We need to find some sailing enthusiasts for customers who correspond to the shipyard. The idea is not to build 30 boats per year. Today, we build 10 in the best years, the objective is to double that number in the next few years.
Franck Roy has built a few motor boats. Is it still relevant today?
I'm thinking of developing the engine range, but it's not a priority. Today we are already concentrating on sailboats and in the short term on the preparation of the Nautic.
