About a year ago, I read an article which related Beneteau was in a joint venture to build 2 carrier ships specifically designed to transport sailboats which could handle Beneteau' s size line up at the time. What was interesting, is that unlike most boat transporters, multiple boats were going to be shipped inside the ship rather than on top. I suspect this arrangement was a significant part of the shut down of the S.C. plant. Cheaper transportation subsidized by return trips of boats wanting to be located overseas.
Beneteau Closing Marion SC Plant
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My prediction:
As the pandemic panic continues and more people are out of work and unable to pay rent/mortgages, you will see more people trying to buy boats as a "live aboard" option (and RV's). The used sailboat market will see higher demand, but I'm afraid the demand for new boats will continue to drop, and companies like this will suffer.
As the pandemic panic continues and more people are out of work and unable to pay rent/mortgages, you will see more people trying to buy boats as a "live aboard" option (and RV's). The used sailboat market will see higher demand, but I'm afraid the demand for new boats will continue to drop, and companies like this will suffer.
Marion Plant repurposed. From Scuttlebutt.com : Leisure Pools Group to purchase Groupe Beneteau manufacturing facility in Marion, South Carolina - Leisure Pools USA
There were three different sized boats built at that plant. The economics of those 3 not selling any more to a certain level caused Beneteau to close that plant and move any of the manufacturing back to France. Its pretty simple business economics. They were already implementing a new structure of business plan and some parts of it got accelerated. I think some have reached analysis-paralysis in regards to this.
Catalina makes all of their boats in Florida right by Tampa. It is the old Morgan factory they got when they purchased Morgan. They also make the Gemini catamarans there under contract. They give tours on Wednesday evenings by appointment and take you through the whole process and if you are lucky you even get to meet and talk to Gerry Douglas.