Death of Olivier Poncin
The management of the group Catana confirmed this Monday the information of the death of its leader Olivier Poncin, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Afflicted by a long illness for more than a year, he died at the age of 69. He had prepared his succession by appointing his son Aurélien Poncin to the general management of the Bali and Catana catamaran builder a few months ago.
From Kirié to Dufour
At only 22 years old, Olivier Poncin, trained at SupAero and HEC, created his first company, Plaisance 2 000, a Kirie sailboat dealer. Within a few years, he became the first dealer of the brand, which he finally took over in 1981, embarking on his first adventure as a sailboat builder. In 1988, he bought the Dufour sailboat molds and relaunched the famous shipyard in La Rochelle, which grew by taking over various famous brands, such as Gibsea, ACM or by becoming a shareholder of Kelt. Olivier Poncin also became a partner of Bruno Voisard and Jacques Maillot, owner of Nouvelles Frontières, in VPM, a charter boat operator, which created the Nautitech catamaran brand. Although the brand is now well established, the separation between the partners will be conflictual.
In 2000, Dufour regained an important place in production sailing. The shipyard employs 1,000 people, producing 1,200 boats per year, but has difficulty managing this growth. Olivier Poncin is forced to leave the company, following a disagreement with his financial partners.
The Poncin Yachts adventure
The entrepreneur from La Rochelle does not leave the nautical industry and creates Poncin Yachts. This new shipyard launches a range of high-end sailing boats under the name Harmony. The shipyard is inspired by the automobile industry and Olivier Poncin wants to rely on robotization, with important investments. In 2003, he bought the Catana catamaran shipyard from the court. The crisis of 2008 will almost get the better of the group, but it survives, with important social consequences.
The Bali Catana success
The attraction of yachtsmen for catamarans and the image of Catana will allow it to restart. Olivier Poncin organizes the activity and launches a new dynamic. In 2014, he launched the new Bali multihull range. Criticized for their style by some, their comfort appealed to a portion of the market and drove Catana's growth to become one of the largest builders in the market, with nearly 1,500 employees, a turnover of 149 million euros in 2022 and a net profit of 17 million euros.
Everyone in the yachting industry recognizes Olivier Poncin's qualities as a brilliant entrepreneur. With a tumultuous career, he did not make only friends. Leaving the success of Bali as his legacy, he nevertheless leaves the nautical scene on an undisputed commercial success.
