Fascinating interview with Beneteau's top product manager

Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
A fascinating two-part interview with G3, Beni's top product man. In it he mentions some very interesting facts about Beneteau's direction, in the context of the new 51.1 coming this month:

The amount of design that went into how people would use the boat
The first year of production (50 hulls) is sold out
The creation of the so-called 'First Line' version with taller black carbon mast, 30% more sail area, deep lead keel, and performance rigging

Also of note:
Beneteau did ONE BILLION dollars of business last year.
Beneteau spend 70 MILLION on PURE R&D, and twice that on ancillary R&D costs
Every segment is profitable

That $70 million probably more than the annual turnover of most of their competitors.

great read.

http://www.sail-world.com/USA/Pulling-Gs-with-Beneteau-–-Pt-I/156620?source=sail-world

http://www.sail-world.com/USA/Pulling-Gs-with-Beneteau-–-Pt-II/156849
 
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Pat

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Jun 7, 2004
1,250
Oday 272LE Ninnescah Yacht Club, Wichita, Ks.
Shane, we really appreciated and enjoyed the great sail on Saturday....it was howling a bit but I think everyone
on board had a great time.......I would do better if I had some of your good tunes....perhaps Brian Wilson's latest
cd.....what's the title? Imagination ??? I need to order from Amazon .....Patrick and Heather