Boats Group, a global classifieds marketplace and marketing software solutions provider to marine brokers, dealers and OEMs, claims to be enjoying accelerated sales growth in Europe.

New investments in personnel and technology have enabled the business to substantially grow its audience, customer count and revenues in 2017. The company’s brand portfolio includes Boat Trader, Yacht World, boats.com, Cosas De Barcos and Yacht Closer.

As a consequence of this planned increase in activity, Boats Group increased its headcount by 21% in 2017. New members of staff have been added to the company in sales, account management, technical support and product development. The team now numbers 52 specialists based at offices in Fareham in the UK, Barcelona, Spain and Padova in Italy.

“This strengthening of boat sales activity in Europe is clearly driving many more boat shoppers to our sites," says Dan Belton, sales director. "Used boat prices have been on an upward trajectory and many leading manufacturers are enjoying healthy order books.”

Boats Group was acquired in July 2016 from Dominion Marine by private equity funds advised by Apax Partners, after which it relocated its corporate headquarters to Miami and undertook a company rebranding exercise. The group claims to attract over 65 million unique visitors annually to more than 300,000 unique boat and yacht listings.