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The Sillinger shipyard is turning a new page in its industrial history with a change in ownership.
A semi-rigid boat manufacturing facility under the Vilgrain banner
Alexandre Vilgrain has acquired Sillinger through his personal holding company. He succeeds Marck & Balsan, which has owned the shipyard since 2021. The company is based in Mer, in the Loir-et-Cher department. It builds semi-rigid boats for professional use.
Sillinger works primarily for the French Navy and for several agencies involved in government operations at sea. These RIBs are used for missions where the hull?s sturdiness, passenger capacity, and seaworthiness are just as important as ease of operation. It?s not really the kind of boat you?d use to run to the store while at anchor, even though it can handle it.
A buyer from the industry
Alexandre Vilgrain previously led Somdia, a family-owned group involved in the production and trading of sugar and flour, primarily in Africa. This experience could prove significant for Sillinger, which also has opportunities in the African market.
In Memory of Tibor Sillinger
This change comes shortly after the passing of Tibor Sillinger, who died in late May 2026. A native of Hungary, he founded the company in 1962. He oversaw the growth of the brand with the yellow shark logo in the professional RIB segment, both in France and internationally.
