The Bénéteau Group buys Rodman Lusitania
France's leading yacht manufacturer announced on December 2, 2021 the acquisition of a second shipyard in Portugal. With the acquisition of Rodman Lusitania, the manufacturer has a second production site for its new Portuguese division dedicated to powerboats under 40 feet. Located in the town of Gandra, in the north of the country, Rodman Lusitania is about ten kilometers from the first shipyard acquired by Bénéteau in October 2021, Starfisher. Rodman Lusitania has been closed for several years and has 60,000 m² of land, including 20,000 m² of buildings consisting of factories and warehouses.
A Portuguese subsidiary to develop in motorboats
While small motorboats under 40 feet were previously built in Poland and the United States, Portugal is an industrial relay for the Vendée-based group in a context of difficult recruitment in Poland. A subsidiary, called GB Portugal Lda, will bring together the two shipyards. It should eventually produce 1,000 boats per year and employ 700 people.
Jérôme de Metz, Chairman and CEO of the Bénéteau Group, recalls the new industrial organization of the manufacturer. "As announced in the Let's Go Beyond! strategic plan, the Bénéteau Group is continuing to organize its industrial activity by type and size of boat. This acquisition will enable us to consolidate our presence in Portugal to serve the very dynamic market for small motorboats (less than 40 feet) intended for local sailing, or dayboating. This acquisition will replace the Polish and American sites dedicated to these markets, which were lacking production capacity. Medium-sized boats, up to 60 feet, are produced in France, while large units from 60 to 80 feet are built in France and Italy."
