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Beneteau closing the Marion, SC plant

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by 993RSR, Jul 24, 2020.

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  1. 993RSR, Jul 24, 2020
    #1
    993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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  2. Pascal, Jul 24, 2020
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Their sailboats are pretty good, better looking and design that hunter and Catalina in my opinion. The quality of their power boats left a lot to be desired. That may be the cause of the closing. We’re they building power boats there?
  3. 993RSR, Jul 24, 2020
    #3
    993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    Apparently not:
    Groupe Beneteau announced the 33-year old Marion plant, which produces Beneteau and Jeanneau sailboats will gradually shut down activity on Sept.16. The move impacts more than 160 employees.
  4. olderboater, Jul 24, 2020
    #4
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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  5. Pascal, Jul 24, 2020
    #5
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Well it takes a little more skills to jump in a 36’ sloop than in a 36’ centerconsole :)
  6. 993RSR, Jul 24, 2020
    #6
    993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    Here is Annapolis we had one of the highest volume Beneteau dealers in the country. They pumped out a lot of boats. About 5 years ago new players came on the scene and started taking market share. Between Hanse, Dufour and possibly a shrinking market Beneteau has lost its momentum. They have also shifted to larger boats like the First 53 which is pretty hot. Doubt she is built here.
  7. bliss, Jul 24, 2020
    #7
    bliss

    bliss Senior Member

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    I bought a new First 35s5 in 1989. It had a fractional rig and was a joy to single hand. I later traded it for a Catalina 400 mast head rigged with air conditioning. I miss them both.
  8. YachtForums, Jul 24, 2020
    #8
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I just had a conversation last week with a friend who wants to build a new Beneteau 46. Nice looking boat, modern interior, but agree with Pascal on their motoryacht range.

    Attached Files:

  9. Pascal, Jul 24, 2020
    #9
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    During Irma my 53 Hatt took out a piling on port side and used a newish 50 Beneteau sailboat as a fender. I was surprised and happy that the beneteau survived with cosmetic damage only
  10. Oscarvan, Jul 24, 2020
    #10
    Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    That used to be like a Chevy, Ford, Chrysler thing... Beneteaus had their "look". People either liked it or didn't. They sailed well. Only design feature I didn't like (20 years ago) was the way the inner liner was done. Stringing a wire from stem to stern inside was a nightmare. Gerry Douglas has designed every Catalina for the last 30 years and I think he did an amazing job. I've owned three, and sailed a few more and they were all honest well designed boats with an incredible bang for the buck. Hunter, well there may be Hunter owners here so I'll just leave that alone.
  11. gr8trn, Jul 25, 2020
    #11
    gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    I have owned three Beneteau's built in the SC plant. Still have a 2009 37. Price point build, great sailing boat, we love it as a day sail for single handing or small groups.
    I can't imagine sales in the US are that slow. They did not close in 2008-9 when boat sales went in the tank. What on earth is Group Beneteau doing?
    They have gone all in on the Ikea joinery with both sail and power, not the greatest. But then the just launched the First Yacht 53 and wow, as 993RSR mentioned.
    They even just announced three new sailboat designs.
    I can only imagine north americans aren't buying sailboats right now.

    This is a surprise.

    I see the print press in the area is saying it is a Coronavirus slowing that is causing the closure, not able to find a Group Beneteau statement.
  12. sgawiser, Jul 26, 2020
    #12
    sgawiser

    sgawiser New Member

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    We had a 2009 32S5 and it was terrific. Went to a 46 foot sloop and then to the dark side. The Beneteau did everything it promised with great reliability for the years we owned her. Lovely design and performance.
  13. Worthyvess, Aug 26, 2020
    #13
    Worthyvess

    Worthyvess Member

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    Maybe it’s because fuel is so cheap.
  14. Pascal, Aug 26, 2020
    #14
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Or because most entry level boaters don’t have the skills to sail :)
  15. 993RSR, Sep 21, 2020
    #15
    993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    Group Beneteau is considering closing four of its 16 sites as it looks to scale back production and cut costs.

    As a result of the covid-19 pandemic, the organisation predicts its sailing and inboard motorboat segments could see a similar contraction in volumes to the 2008-2009 financial crisis which would not be offset by dayboating market growth.

    An option the Group is consulting on is closing, selling or temporarily shutting down four of its 16 sites – one in the US, one in Slovenia and two in France.

    Operations at three sites – Italy, France and Poland - could be scaled down.

    For the Boat division globally, the measures would lead to job cuts for staff assigned directly to production, resulting in a reduction in the workforce by 300 to 840 people.

    Workforce reduction

    With regard to indirect production, product development and support services staff, the cuts being considered would result in a reduction in the workforce by 380 to 460 people for the division.

    In August, the Group approved a change to its financial year-end date to December 31 2020.

    Financial elements will be published on October 27 2020 that will include information on the end of the Group’s summer season.

    The Group has confirmed that business for the period from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020, and particularly the last quarter, came in slightly better than it had previously forecast. The same is true for the net cash position at August 31, 2020.

    A total of 18 new models have been announced for 2021.
  16. gr8trn, Sep 22, 2020
    #16
    gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    Cut 400 jobs but introduce 18 new models. How just like a conglomerate.
  17. Juan Galan, Nov 15, 2020
    #17
    Juan Galan

    Juan Galan New Member

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    Having owned a Catalina 355[current boat]; Marlow Hunter 31; & Beneteau Oceanis 37 all shoal keel, I rank them as follows:
    1. Catalina - best quality build and greatest ballast[over 6,000#];
    2. Beneteau Oceanis 37 - good quality and nice lines, specially Platinum model[ballast over 4,000#];
    3. Marlow Hunter 31 - cheaper build quality although good hardware[ballast was over 3000#.

    Conclusion, ballast makes a big difference in a shoal keel and real wood beats Ikea wood on Beneteau!
  18. Capt J, Nov 15, 2020
    #18
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Most sail boaters I know are horrible boaters. It doesn't take a genius to sail. I'm able to get a sail boat properly trimmed and at hull speed and have never, and I mean EVER, been taught anything by anyone or read how to do it......it's really not brain surgery to get the sails taught.
  19. Juan Galan, Nov 15, 2020
    #19
    Juan Galan

    Juan Galan New Member

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    Ever have anything nice to say?
  20. Oscarvan, Nov 15, 2020
    #20
    Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    Sorry, but based on 60 years of sailing under just about all but the worst conditions your statement reflects that unlike power boat operation, which you do seem to know a few things about, in this case you have no clue what you are talking about. But I'm sure your mind is made up so I probably won't try to confuse you with the facts.
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