From the outset, the AMEL shipyards have made their mark in the yachting world thanks to their unique expertise and a vision focused on customer satisfaction. At the same time, the company pays particular attention to the well-being of its employees, while striving to reduce its environmental impact.
Unique know-how, the legacy of Henri Amel
Henri Amel (1913 - 2005), a sailing enthusiast from an early age, instilled a spirit of innovation and rigor in his company. Starting out as a coachbuilder, he quickly turned his talents to shipbuilding, before settling in La Rochelle in the 1960s. Drawing on his experience and vision, he designed sturdy, reliable yachts suitable for long voyages, whether alone, with a small crew or with the family. Today, this heritage continues to guide the shipyard's teams, who perpetuate this commitment to quality.
Innovative working conditions
Right from the start, Henri Amel placed the well-being of his employees at the heart of his concerns. He introduced more flexible working hours, such as the 37-hour week at a time when the norm was 40 hours. In 1981, a pension plan and profit-sharing scheme were introduced for employees.
Today, this philosophy continues with a strengthened Human Resources team, including an HSE (Health-Safety-Environment) component to continually improve working conditions. The workshops are equipped with modern tools, heated and adapted to employees' needs, while promoting flexible working hours and daily dialogue between teams and managers.
Diversifying professions and skills
Today, the AMEL shipyards bring together some thirty different trades, from laminator to carpenter, electrician to fitter. These trades, which are essential to sailboat production, are backed up by highly structured support teams, particularly in the fields of methods and design, as well as communication. In this way, eco-design and boat life-cycle analysis projects can be monitored, with a view to continuous improvement.
The evolution of AMEL models
AMEL boats have evolved over time, while retaining their emblematic features, such as the rigid balcony and central cockpit where all controls are grouped together. These features, synonymous with safety and comfort, are still present on the current models, the AMEL 50 and AMEL 60. The teams based in Périgny continue to combine know-how and modernity in the design of these yachts, built to the high quality standards for which AMEL shipyards are renowned throughout the world.
Two models that are still popular
At the Cannes Boat Show in September 2024, AMEL exhibited number 100 of its 50-footer. 7 years after its launch, this clearly shows the success of this model, for which it still takes 18 months from order to delivery. The same goes for the AMEL 60, whose 30th model has just been sold.
In order to maintain optimum construction quality and reliability, the AMEL shipyards voluntarily limit their production to 20 yachts per year (15 AMEL 50s and 5 AMEL 50s)
AMEL 60).
PHARE: a project for the future
The new buildings under construction in Périgny on the historic site of the AMEL shipyards, under the project name PHARE (Préserver l'Héritage Amel et Réinventer Ensemble), symbolize the shipyard's commitment to innovation while respecting the legacy of Henri Amel.
Scheduled for delivery in 2026, these new facilities are designed to optimize production, reduce the need for internal ship movements during the assembly phase, and further improve working conditions for our teams. They are also part of a drive to reduce the company's environmental impact, while maintaining high safety standards.
