New distributor for Navico electronics in France
After ending its partnership with MC Technologies, the marine electronics group Navico has announced the name of its new distributor in France. Kent Marine, a subsidiary of the Alliance Marine group, distributes since January 1st, 2021 the brands of the Scandinavian specialist: Lowrance, Simrad, B&G and C-Map.
A diversification opportunity seized by Alliance Marine
The President of the Alliance Marine group, Jean-Paul Roche, sees this new distribution map as a logical continuation of its development strategy and an opportunity to be seized. "We are generally looking for major cards with the potential for innovation and technical products. In this case, Navico came to us and a large electronic chart available, that rarely happens! Kent is well armed on electricity and an extension to the sensors and electronics was therefore possible," he explains.
A challenge for Kent Marine
The choice of the Alliance Marine group entity that would take over the distribution of Navico electronics was guided by several criteria. "Each company in the group has a different strategy. Kent Marine is present in all market segments: in the yachting, professional and inland waterway sectors. The Vallauris site on the Côte d'Azur allows us to be present in yachting as well. With Lowrance, B&G, Simrad and Simrad Pro, I think Navico wanted to be closer to a wholesaler in all market segments. In addition, we also have the advantage of being neighbors in Saint-Herblain, which will make it easier for the teams to work together," underlines David Jegat, sales director of Kent Marine.
The arrival of this new electronic speciality within the company should also have consequences in terms of human resources. "We had already done a bit of electronics in small steps in the past, but this is a new challenge. We will have to expand our teams," adds David Jegat.
