C3 Technologies joins CDK Technologies
On November 2, 2022, the Finistère-based ocean racing specialist CDK Technologies announced that it had entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire C3 Technologies, a company based in La Rochelle that specializes in the construction of composite parts. Like CDK Technologies, which was founded by Hubert Desjoyeaux in Port-la-Forêt in 1984 to build ocean racing yachts, C3 Technologies was created in 2008 in the wake of the CRAIN and French America's Cup projects to produce composite parts for racing boats. The company, which has 28 employees, has made a name for itself in the manufacture of key elements such as various appendages like foils, rudders and daggerboards.
Accelerating the growth of CDK Technologies
Since the takeover of CDK Technologies in 2022 by a new shareholder, Inspiring Sport Capital, the new management team led by Cyril Abiteboul, wishes to accelerate the company's growth and consolidate its leadership. He is pleased with this first strategic operation, both geographically and in terms of skills: "This agreement is a way to accelerate the implementation of our strategy, particularly in the hydrofoil market, where C3 Technologies is a long-standing and highly recognized player. C3 Technologies, based in La Rochelle, benefits from a strong dynamism and a significant employment pool. It addresses a market that is very adjacent to ours, which is in line with our strategy of consolidating our position through integration and specialization. We also want to move into new markets, but not at the expense of our historical market, ocean racing, which is increasingly demanding in terms of responsiveness, speed and quality."
Expansion of CDK Lorient
Growth also involves investments to make the company's sites more efficient and increase their production capacity. In January 2023, CDK Technologies will start major works on its Lorient site. It will be equipped with an additional 6,000 m2. Planned to last 2 years, the new infrastructures will serve the company's diversification strategy, as its manager explains: "This will allow us to consolidate our position as a reliable partner for offshore racing, but also to diversify with new areas dedicated to the customer demands we intend to address in the high performance yachting industry, or in other industries requiring high performance composite application."
