Rhea Marine joins Latitude 46 and Wauquiez
The Experton-Revollier group has announced the acquisition of the Roche shipyard Rhea Marine. It joins the group's nautical division, which specializes in steel processing. The motorboat brand, emblematic of the Charente channels, joins the Latitude 46 shipyard, builder of the Tofinou sailboats acquired in March 2015 at the bar of the La Rochelle court and the historic Wauquiez sailboat brand, purchased in 2011. Rhea Marine's teams are being kept in place.
Opening up to motorboats
Apart from the Andreyale, a niche product of the Latitude 46 shipyard, the Experton Revollier group had no offer on the motorboat market. With the acquisition of Rhéa Marine, it is entering the sector with a strong brand, whose reputation, Charente roots and the image created by founder Bertrand Danglade, are complementary to Tofinou. We are sailing for the same clientele, while bringing a new business, motorboats!" confirms Alex Pinet, director of Rhéa.
Industrial synergies
"Our previous shareholder, the DLJ group, wanted to return to its core business, mass retailing, in which it had major projects," explains Alex Pinet. "He therefore wanted to free himself from the boating business and was looking for a solid partner who was already in the yachting industry. Latitude 46 is close by, just 100 meters away. We have comparable products with possible synergies in resources and tooling. So it's a sensible combination." Reunited, the Experton Revollier Group brands will also have more clout with their suppliers, OEMs and marine engine manufacturers.
Positioning yourself in front of the heavyweights of the nautical industry
While the concentration movement in the yachting industry is strong, with the takeover of Dufour by Fountaine-Pajot, Privilège Marine by the Hanse group, and Delphia Yachts and Seascape by the Bénéteau group, small structures are looking for alliances to keep their specificities. "It is better to group together to face the big groups. We're stronger with three people than on our own!" confirms Alex Pinet. This strategy should be seen at the winter boat shows.
