Grassi Bateaux takes over the Lagoon card at LJB Marine
A page is turned for Lagoon catamarans in La Rochelle and on the Atlantic coast. Its distributor for 20 years, LJB Marine has given way to the company Grassi Bateaux. The shipyard located on the nautical plateau of La Rochelle, already a Jeanneau dealer, agent J Composites takes over the distribution of the Lagoon brand for the departments 16-17-79-85-44, covering the coastline from Royan to Pornic.
Transmission in a complex nautical context
Louis-Jean Bourdel, founder of LJB Marine, says he is gradually preparing his retirement, while for the time being he will continue to import Swedish Hallberg-Rassy yachts. " It's the choice of transmission. I've already seen too much of boating and how it's evolved from what I've experienced. You have to know how to stop before you go too far ", he explains.
Although he would have liked to transfer his company, the agreement reached with Grassi Bateaux seems to him positive for the Lagoon brand and for himself in the difficult context of the yachting market. " It's obviously a pity not to be able to pass on the company I created, but Grassi was only interested in the Lagoon card and its clientele, which I totally respect. I'm sure that it will go very well for Lagoon and its customers. With the Covid-19, it was time to stop leasing and we were able to make a good deal ", concludes Louis-Jean Bourdel.
Strengthening the links between Grassi and the Bénéteau Group
For Grassi Bateaux, this is also an important turning point. The shipyard was an agent for the multihull brand Nautitech until October 2020, when it was selected by Lagoon and LJB Marine to take over the chart. " This is a turning point for Grassi Bateaux. There were several potential buyers from which we were chosen. Why do you want to take the Lagoon brand? Because it is the world's number one catamaran manufacturer, a member of the Bénéteau group, even though we are already Jeanneau dealers. There is a wide range of recent sailing yachts, with comfort on board as our customers are looking for ", sums up Thibaut Brandicourt, sales manager of Grassi Bateaux.
