Beneteau Closing Marion SC Plant

Davidasailor26 · Jul 16, 2020

Same here. Can’t find any other sources other than the one local news article though. Nothing on the Beneteau corporate site, and the Beneteau USA spare parts site still has the same blurb about slowdowns for COVID, nothing else. Wishful thinking but maybe news of their demise is exaggerated.

DRhoads · Jul 16, 2020

Ask a dealer they should know something.

JRacer · Jul 16, 2020

Oh, that is not good news.

BigEasy · Jul 16, 2020

cb32863 said:
Beneteau itself is not shutting down. They are just closing the US facility. It was pretty clear if you watched it.

If it is true, have to wonder about the parts department, at the SC facility, that provided replacement parts to existing Beneteau owners. If the plant is closing, hopefully it is a temporary closure until the covid virus abates. After researching, I saw that the plant was closed for a while in the spring because of covid virus concerns for workers as well as interruption in their supply chain. The plant reopened in May.
Beneteau has been a mainstay is US sailboat sales over the years; would hate to see the US plant close permanently. I don't think that they could compete effectively in the US, having to ship boats from Europe and price in various taxes on exports imposed by the UK and import fees in the US.

Mechone · Jul 17, 2020

Economically it would make sense for any European company to relocate to Canada. Under CETA all parts built in Europe come into Canada duty free and if built and assembled in Canada they go into the US duty free and there is also a 35% exchange rate on the dollar . Then if it were to locate in Quebec there's no language barrier either from head office. This could reduce the price of the boats , parts and or increase profits. From the 1970's to 1990's Ontario and Quebec had the most sailboat manufacturing in the world, from Bayfield, Canadian Sailcraft, Aloha, C&C, Niagara , Huges,Ajax, Hinterhoaller(nonsuch), Grampian, Tanzer,Mirage, Whitby, just to name a few. Marskeel is one of companies left that still produces most of the keels today .Klacko spars being another.

JRacer · Jul 17, 2020

I sent Ward, at Beneteau, an email.

Got this back as clarification. "The Oceanis 35.1, 38.1 and 46.1 will be produced in France next year. The customer support, for parts and after sales, will still be managed from the US"

Davidasailor26 · Jul 17, 2020

JRacer said:
The customer support, for parts and after sales, will still be managed from the US

Glad to hear that anyway.

Crazy Dave Condon · Jul 30, 2020

When production of boats goes abroad, that is not a sure sign the plant will reopen. I was advised to listen what the employees are saying. The plant is closing. As for relocating to Canada , that has not been mentioned. Other things were told to me but I am of the opinion Beneteau is leaving the country.

However, Catalina is still building boats. With Beneteau and Hunter gone, Catalina will benefit.

joker460 · Jul 30, 2020

Just my 2 cents.

It all comes down to cost. Beneteau is heavily subsidized by France. Hunters manufacturing moved to the East because it's of cheaper but skilled labour.
I wouldn't be surprised if Catalina decides to move East or South to reduce costs also.
They won't be coming to Canada. Labour costs here are the same as in the USA.

jviss · Jul 30, 2020

joker460 said:
I wouldn't be surprised if Catalina decides to move East or South to reduce costs also.

I'm pretty sure Catalina moved out of California and to South Florida a few years ago.

jviss · Jul 30, 2020

joker460 said:
Beneteau is heavily subsidized by France.

Their imported boats will be subject to tarrifs.

JRT · Jul 30, 2020

I wonder if Jeanneau is one of the causes as they seem more popular with the US cruising market focus. The new walk around deck boats seem hot and what the consumer wants. For me, my wife loves the 440, tried to show her the larger Oceanis, but it was nope. We are planning for a loaded up 440 100% easy cruising with AC, genset, bow thruster, furling main, self tacking jib and powered winches.

jviss · Jul 30, 2020

JRT said:
I wonder if Jeanneau is one of the causes as they seem more popular with the US cruising market focus. The new walk around deck boats seem hot and what the consumer wants. For me, my wife loves the 440, tried to show her the larger Oceanis, but it was nope. We are planning for a loaded up 440 100% easy cruising with AC, genset, bow thruster, furling main, self tacking jib and powered winches.

You must have hit the lottery!

That's a beautiful boat.

Meriachee · Jul 30, 2020

Hey Beneteau! Move to Alberta! We have no environmental oversight, lots of unemployed oilfield workers who would love ingesting ketone all day and theres a large number of splash ponds to test water integrity, which are shallow enough to test the keel bolt design. Theres lots of bridge clearance, and a lot of access east and west.
The pesky issue of the border can be worked out later.

Cat 310 #1 in GA · Jul 30, 2020

Catalina is in Largo, FL and has been for many years. No more boats built in CA.

Mikem · Jul 30, 2020

jviss said:
I'm pretty sure Catalina moved out of California and to South Florida a few years ago.

Yes. They moved in 2007 or 8 to Florida. California's environmental laws and overall business atmosphere became overwhelming for one and a sales analysis showed that 70% of their boats were sold east of the Mississippi. It seemed like a good business decision at the time then the economy tanked. Timing is every thing.

joker460 · Jul 30, 2020

jviss said:
I'm pretty sure Catalina moved out of California and to South Florida a few years ago.

I should have said Far East and South America. :huh:

Crazy Dave Condon · Jul 31, 2020

First an insight. Catalina and other manufacturers were forced to basically shut down due to regulations forced upon them by the State of California, thus the move to open in Florida. Discussion based on with management to include Frank Butler. Catalina is building boats at the Florida facility

As for Hunter, it started in New Jersey where the regulations and taxes were such that the manufacture of Hunters went to Florida. At the time I understood labor rates were about the same in both states based on discussion with Warren Luhrs

As for Beneteau, yes I know more than most but I have alot of friends in this industry whom I respect. Believe what the employees are saying. There are no plans to go to Canada nor South America.

Remember the Greatest Generation of WWII and what they fought for. Leave this at that.