YB Group joins RCM
The RCM Group, a major player in the sale of boats in France, announced on September 30, 2022 the purchase of the YB Group, importer of Highfield RIBs in France. The entity founded by the Brintet family will become part of RCM in Vendée. 1.35 billion in 2021, and employs 2,800 people in France, Belgium and Switzerland. Born in the car dealership with the Mercedes-Benz, Toyota-Lexus and Porsche brands, RCM has been developing in the nautical sector since 2019, and the takeover of the Bénéteau dealerships of Massif Marine.
Alongside RCMarine and RCMarine Yachts, Azimut's new distributor in France, Highfield France becomes part of the RCM group. RCM also takes over the Noirmoutier and Brest dealerships owned by the YB group and its BtoB and BtoC sites. The son of Yves Brintet, manager of the Vendée dealership, remains with RCM. Pascal-Eric Montazel, from RCM's car dealerships, takes over the reins of Highfield France.
Financial leverage for Highfield
In the logic of Highfield's development in France, Yves Brintet, director of the YB group, saw the merger as an obvious economic move. "It's a matter of common sense given the agreements we had with RC Marine where we had dealers. They were moving faster than we were in development, with far greater financial capabilities. When the bride is very beautiful, you have to marry her!"
Taking the lead in RIBs
Highfield's ambitions are high, aiming for the number one position in RIBs in France, the world's largest market. To achieve this, Luca Brancaleon, manager of RC Marine, wants to continue Yves Brintet's work. "It's the meeting of two family realities. We are in a spirit of family continuity, to develop what had been done. RC Marine will remain a dealer like the others, with a seal with Highfield France, which will continue to have other dealers."
