RM Sailboat production in order of battle
If the economic and health context linked to the Covid-19 pandemic has thwarted the plans of the Grand Large Yachting (GLY) group since the purchase of the RM sailing yachts at the helm of the Commercial Court in February 2020, its co-founder, Stéphan Constance, now believes that the shipyard in La Rochelle is in working order. "Obviously, the containment, one month after the takeover broke our legs a bit. We had started some yards such as the deployment of ERP and management systems for Grand Large Yachting. While the rest of the group was able to put in place a system to maintain production, the lack of stock at RM and the closure of suppliers posed a problem. We had to stop production for 2 months. However, we were able to make progress on other yachts outside production. Today, the partial activity system is completely finished, we are 100% employed. And we were even able to take over a few Fora Marine employees who had not been able to do so in the recovery plan. We have also strengthened the team with the arrival of Paul Asquier, who was already part of the Grand Large group, as production manager and Charlie Fernbach in the sales department. We're very happy," says the manager.
Grand Large Yachting has also opened a new GLS Atlantique centre in La Rochelle, dedicated to training and services, in line with what it already offers on the other sea fronts.
Treatment of the file of former Fora Marine clients
The duration of the confinement was also devoted to resolving the situation of yachtsmen who had ordered a yacht from Fora Marine before its compulsory liquidation. The new entity their offered to order a boat taking into account part of their down payment. According to Stéphan Constance, this delicate situation, mentioned in our columns, has found a rather positive outcome. "2 out of 3 former clients have taken over a boat. I think this illustrates that a balance has been found. Without being perfect, the proposed solution was rather good. The picture is satisfactory, even if it was emotionally hard. Some people were angry with the Grand Large group" he regrets.
Order book in line with RM's expectations
Once Fora Marine's contract file was resolved, RM Yachts successfully opened the marketing to new customers, despite the cancellation of boat shows. "The level of RM's order book is in line with the plan announced at the time of the takeover. In September, we were slightly ahead of schedule. We had bet a lot on the Grand Pavois where RM is playing at home, with a sort of mini marina from the Grand Large group, but we understand the reasons that led the organisers to cancel. We make up for it with private events that work pretty well. More broadly, on the Grand Cruise boat, I don't think there's a drop in the market. As far as the group is concerned, the financial year to 31 August 2020 marks an all-time record. We're benefiting from a movement of people who want to change their life priorities," concludes Stéphan Constance.
