Bénéteau sales in line with forecasts
By IBI Magazine
French boatbuilder the Bénéteau Group has reported sales of €658.9m for the financial year ending August 31, 2009, with the company's boat business performing slightly better than expected.
Boat sales for 2009 have dropped by 42 per cent compared to 2008 sales — a small improvement on the 45 per cent predicted.
Bénéteau says that the downturn in the boating business is "less marked than initially forecast", reporting sales of sailing yachts down 44 per cent and motorboats down 38.2 per cent.
"The Group's resilience reflects the diversity of its offering, its extension onto the segment for 9m-15m powerboats, and the attachment and trust of its customers," read a statement issued by Bénéteau.
The company recently revealed plans to launch 29 new models for the 2009-2010 season.
Consolidated sales for the Bénéteau Group totalled €658.9m for the 2009 season compared to €1,094.1m for the year ending August 31, 2008 — a drop of 39.8 per cent.
Forty eight per cent of Bénéteau's sales were generated by sailboats in 2008-2009, 27 per cent by powerboats and 25 per cent by housing.
Bénéteau is the world's largest builder of sailboats. Its portfolio includes sail and motorboat brands such as Bénéteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Prestige, CNB and Monte Carlo Yachts. The Bénéteau Group is also a major player on the European leisure home market.
(29 September 2009)
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