Beneteau Still Sailing Well
Not everyone is suffering reduced sales in the maritime industry. One of the world's largest boating groups, Beneteau, has reported 'outstanding' results in 2008 so far, in spite of weakened global financial situations in most countries.
'One of the colourful Beneteau 40.7s newly launched by CCIR'
CCIR
The group expects sales for the financial year 2007/08 to hit ?1,087 million, representing like-for-like growth of 8 per cent.
Sailing boats represent 66% of the company's boat sales, and Beneteau Group claim their success in difficult times is due to the targeting of new markets in India and China. They are also producing 20 new models a year, some of which are in their much smaller mobile home production. Only 20% of Beneteau's production comes from the mobile home sector.
Future plans include increasing the group's offering of Fly and Express models to cover lengths of 15m-25m (49ft-82ft). The first units will appear on the market by 2010.
Beneteau has 24 production sites, and 400 points of sale for boats in 40 countries.
by BW Media 
Port Noarlunga South, SA
