Purchase of the Ikone sailboat molds
After the liquidation of the shipyard Espace Vag, builder in Concarneau of sailboats of the Ikone range, the auctioneer Philippe Lannon proceeded on November 21 and 22, 2019 to the auction of the equipment and tools of the company. The molds of the sailboats did not find a buyer at first, forcing the person in charge of the sale to use his connections. " Philippe Lannon contacted me because we know each other well and we both like to sail. There were other proposals for certain molds, but there was a desire not to sell the range by the slice "explains Philippe Goyat, who bought the Ikone 5.50, Ikone 6.00, Ikone 6.50 and Ikone 7.50 molds with his company Francophil.
Relaunching Ikone boats with passionate craftsmen
Philippe Goyat, 63 years old, has a good experience in the nautical industry through boat rental and destocking companies. For the relaunch of the Ikone range, he imagined an original operating model, based on the pooling of support functions. " The idea is to federate 3 or 4 separate artisans, each of whom is responsible for a model, and to free them from the hassle of dealing with bankers or insurers and all the other aspects of setting up a business so that they can concentrate on their job as artisans. This can be done by renting/selling the molds or by taking an equity stake in the company. The craftsman commits to keep the Ikone brand. This allows not to privilege any model as it is sometimes the case in a small yard and to have a passionate person at the head of each mold "summarizes the buyer.
Pooling of resources
The commercial aspect would be managed by a dedicated structure. " Each artisan would have a percentage to have a say in decisions related to the Ikone brand "says Philippe Goyat. The pooling of resources is also on the agenda for purchasing and labor. " Each craftsman can send personnel to the other in case of need. There is also the possibility of pooling resin or material purchases to limit costs. Some work sites have already offered to help us with this. "
The molds should move quickly from the premises of the former Espace Vag shipyard. Philippe Goyat indicates that he already has contacts with interested craftsmen.
