A favorable seasonality of the nautical industry
If the seasonal aspect of the yachting market is sometimes a difficulty for the companies of the sector, it could prove to be favorable in the context of the coronavirus crisis. The opening of the nautical season and the preparation of the boats in spring, imposes to the importers and distributors of the sector to anticipate the supply from the end of the previous year. The majority of shipments had therefore left Asia before the coronavirus explosion. " For a supply from Asia, it is necessary to count 1,5 to 2 months of sea. With a catalog release in March, orders are placed in October or November "Michaël Amoros, General Manager of Intermer Accastillage Diffusion, which operates with a single annual wave of maritime supplies and occasional airborne repairs. " We secure the stocks with a 1st wave of supply before the Chinese New Year "confirms Benoit Massard Combe of VDM-Reya.
" For the moment, importers have been more affected by the strike of dockers related to pension reform and containers that could not be unloaded, causing delays "Xavier Dhennin, Navicom's sales manager, says.
Inventory management and alerting of nautical material suppliers
If inventories are anticipated for the season, there remains a potential impact. A number of suppliers are alerting to the potential for supply chain disruption. " Our suppliers, especially Italian ones, explained to us the measures they were putting in place to maintain activity. Some are also pushing us to stock up. We also anticipate the stock according to what we know about equipment components and where they come from in Asia, for example. We know that the electronic boxes for engine manufacturers, coming from China, could pose a problem on the production lines in Europe or the United States ", illustrates Benoit Massard-Combe.
On the side of chandleries and yards, the situation is variable. " Before, we used to talk about it over coffee, but today we alert our customers who think before ordering about the possible risks of stock shortage. Afterwards, they don't necessarily have the cash flow to stock "says Xavier Dhennin. " It is too fresh in the news to know the reaction. Accastillage Diffusion stores can consult the central stock on their ERP and decide on their supplies "says Michaël Amoros.
Others, like Matt Chem, admit that this epidemic is good for business. Indeed, they have a stock of Derming, a hydro-alcoholic hand disinfectant gel. Given the current shortage in pharmacies, one out of two orders is currently for this product...
Protecting employees and anticipating financial risks
The main concrete measures taken by companies are to limit their employees' travel. The financial departments are trying to assess the risks and to put in place measures to absorb the situation as well as possible. If we can imagine the logistical stakes, it remains difficult to know the behavior of boaters. " The ambient anxiety, if it lasts with a worsening situation, will perhaps be more negative for boating which is not a vital field. People will prefer to stock up on pasta than life jackets! "concludes Xavier Dhennin.
