Transfer of the Alubat yard
The Alubat shipyard changes hands. Taken over in 2014 by a pool of Vendée entrepreneurs, the specialist in aluminum voyaging sailboats with its iconic OVNI brand, is getting a new shareholder. Chairman Michel Berson, who has been at the helm for the past 7 years, has announced the handover to Managing Director Luc Jurien, who takes up his post in 2021, alongside 6 other employees, responsible for the company's various divisions in communications, sales, production, the design office, purchasing and administrative services.
A team takeover, already anticipated
Luc Jurien explains the background to this sale, which has already been considered, as the Vendée entrepreneurs have achieved their objective of rescuing Alubat: "We had already discussed this with Michel Berson when I joined the company. It's a question of continuity. Things had been initiated by my predecessors Christian and Hakim, and I brought my own touch. I wanted to go further, not only out of attachment to the brand but also with the team. It's a team takeover, with people already in place before my arrival. Michel and the other entrepreneurs have always relied on their teams, as they were not themselves yachting professionals. They felt that the foundations were now solid and that they weren't destined to stay."
Continued range renewal
The new management team now intends to continue the commercial work begun with the 47 existing employees. Luc Jurien concludes with a list of emblematic projects in progress: "We're already on the 10th 370, with the OVNI 430 presented at La Rochelle benefiting from feedback from the 370. In March, we begin construction of the first OVNI 490, a true 50-foot traveler with a wheelhouse and twin-engine, scheduled for 2025. The Ovnicat is under construction, also due in 2025. As for the Cigale, we're looking for the 1st customer, which isn't easy, as the full order book for 2 years requires patience."
