Unified industrial management within the Bénéteau Group
The Bénéteau Group, the French leader in the yachting sector, has announced a new change in its organizational chart. The general management of the Boat Division has been simplified. Jean-Paul Chapeleau takes over as head of the new Industrial Operations and Unified Development Division. It replaces the Industrial Design, Purchasing and Engineering Department, which Jean-Paul Chapeleau has headed since December 2019, and the Operational Excellence Department headed by Christophe Caudrelier. Christophe Caudrelier left the Bénéteau Group on 3 June 2020, after 6 years with the company.
Draft strategy awaiting an official plan
The French and international yachting industry explains its new organization as follows: "The General Management in charge of Industrial Operations and Development now covers all activities in all territories of operations, thus confirming the desire to manage the Group by major global or geographical functions and no longer by legal entities in order to obtain maximum synergies and coherence"
At his first major press conference at the 2019 Cannes Boat Show, Jérôme de Metz indicated that he wanted to take the necessary time before announcing the Bénéteau Group's major strategies. The unveiling of the strategic plan, scheduled for early 2020, has been delayed until July 9. The evolution of the organization chart, which began with the arrival of Jean-Paul Chapeleau, a pillar of the Jeanneau brand, followed by Bruno Thivoyon, the new Chief Financial Officer, and the departure of Christophe Caudrelier, foreshadows a desire for simplification and more centralized management of the brands. The process was initiated at the marketing level with the appointment in June 2019 of Gianguido Girotti as head of product strategy. While awaiting details of the objectives, the financial markets welcomed the announcement, with the share price rising significantly.
