Beneteau: The French Giant



7 minutes
00:01:51
00:01:51

From the first sardine boat to the latest Monte Carlo, the shipbuilding tradition has considerably advanced the technologies and expertise of this company

Founded in 1884 in the picturesque town of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Vendée, this family-owned French company has evolved from humble beginnings into a global powerhouse, showcasing a remarkable journey of innovation and audacity. Groupe Beneteau’s story is a testament to its strong local roots and commitment to excellence.

A family saga: From fishing boats to global icon

Over the years, it has established a solid foundation, demonstrating resilience and success in the marine industry. The company operates 23 production sites globally, with a dedicated workforce of more than 8,130 professionals worldwide – approximately 5,000 of whom are based in France.

beneteau shipyard

Notably, around 80 percent of the boats produced in France are exported, reinforcing its status as a leader in international markets. At the heart of the Group’s success lies a diverse and complementary range of boats, encompassing nine brands. This includes renowned names such as Beneteau, Jeanneau, Prestige, and Lagoon, along with high-potential brands like Excess and Delphia, and American brands Four Winns and Wellcraft.

In 19th century boats were called luggers, dundees, and smacks, all with sails, but for these fishing boats, performance was judged by who got back to harbour first, since the first there would sell his fish at the best price. For this reason Benjamin Beneteau would design the first engine-powered fishing boat in the region. He found no customers.

A tradition of craftsmanship

Nonetheless, he became the boat’s owner. Agitator, he would call it Vainqueur des Jaloux (Conqueror of the Jealous). At the time, Croix-de-Vie, a large sardine fishing port, had ten or so sardine canning factories. The women believed that the engine’s noise would ‘frighten off the fish’, so they stopped work and waited for Benjamin with stones in hand. Lasting several months, this dispute came to an end of course, and Benjamin would call the second enginepowered sardine fishing boat he built La Paix (Peace).

Then the Great War intervened. The boatyard would get underway again in 1928, and the time had come for Andre Beneteau, only son of Benjamin to take over. A fisherman had faith in him, and under the shed, he would draw and build his first fishing boat. On the day the boat was launched, the people were stunned by the elegance of this fishing boat. Then the Second World War came, together with the departure of a few companions.

At the end of the war, the Boatyard would be back in full swing again for an exceptional period that would last until the 1960s. Andre would draw, design, and supervise the building of each vessel, following the performance – both speed and fishing – of his designs closely and, a huge luxury at the time, he would choose his customers. 1964 was the beginning of the sailing industry and time when Benjamin’s grandchildren Annette and Andre took over business. They also owe the luck to their father, who without thinking of ‘sailing’ for a second, had knowledge of a new material: polyester. His idea was to make dinghies for sardine fishing boats out of polyester, which he did in 1963.

beneteau boat show

The birth of a new era: Polyester boats and the sailing revolution

The 3.60 m sardine fishing dinghy became the Guppy, the 4.30 m one the Fletan, and the small 5.80 m tulip-shaped speedboat, the last boat designed by him, the Ombrine. Company’s first Paris boat show i 1965 was highly stressful because no other boat looked like Beneteau. Yet, only a few hours after the opening, three business men claime that this boats were what their customers were looking for and that no other builder wanted to build them. This is how, alongside the Guppy, the Fletan, Capelan, Cabochard, Galion, Forban, Kerlouan, Baroudeur 2 and Ombrine 3 were born: a full range from 3.60 m to 5.80 m.

With financial stability in 1972, Beneteau was going to invest, first in the workforce, but also in first plant, which was modestbut really designed with semi-industrial production in mind. François Chalain became the operational manager of the Epoids site. Jean-Bernard was a businessman at heart, one of the best salesmen in Paris region. With him, the Beneteau network was build. A third man, specializing in polyesters, was Daniel Huchet.

Then very soon a fourth: Andre Buchou, the first Human Resources Manager. Beneteau customers had learned to sail and they wanted larger boats, comfort on board, and to see the sea from the saloon. There is nothing harder than beginning a new range. This would be the Evasion 32, followed by the later Evasion 37 and Evasion 28 versions.

The iconic First class and expansion into motorboats

At the same time, for the motorboats, the Ombrine would give birth to the Antares range, always designed by Andre. Company was offered the moulds of L’impensable, the boat designed to win the Half Ton Cup and which kept its promise. It needed redesign the sail plan, keel, interior layout, and shape of the coachroof with Andre Mauric, and it would be called the First. It became a legendary class. This was the boat that really open the way for export.

The yard’s motorboating team entrusted Cees Van Der Velden with perfecting a catamaran with which he won the ‘PARIS 6 hours’ flying Beneteau colours. And the Flyer range was born. In yachting, it was the great Admiral’s Cup period and with partner Corum, new hulls and identified the best architects in the world.

There would be the First Evolution, Lady B, and First Lady. The First Class 8 became the first French one-design class, with nearly 1.000 boats competing on seas for more than twenty years.

Then would follow the First Class 10 and 12. In 1985 Beneteau built first production site abroad, in the United States. In 1987 osmosis episode affected more than a thousand boats the world over and which had to be repaired. The range that would be affected most was the First, company flagship.

Then François Chalain and Philippe Briand created the Oceanis 350 and then the 430. The success was instant. The production lines filled up again. Briand’s approach was unusual but he designed First 35 S, the first boat with two rear cabins. 1989 was the year of the first Figaro Class.

The project presented by Beneteau won the competition and had the privilege of building these one-designs. In 1992, Beneteau carried out first external growth transaction – CNB created by Dieter Gust. CNB would manufacture the finest owner yachts in the world and Dieter would become one of the Group’s mainstays.

Transitioning to the Beneteau Group and establishing strong leadership

In 1994, O’Hara was first diversification to soften the successive social shocks due to market downturns in the sailing industry. It was a small mobile home which would revolutionize the world of camping. Later, IRM joined and manufactured up to 14.000 houses a year. This same year, Bruno Cathelinais became Managing Director. In 1995, Jeanneau was second area of external growth.

A chance to make peace with our long-time great challenger would be the high point in Beneteau history and probably that of the French sailing industry too. It was the coming together of two Vendee families and two companies faced with the same problems and which immediately spoke the same language.

From 2003-2004 Beneteau Boatyard became Beneteau Group. For headquarters was chosen St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. It was time when was set up a real governing body for the Group to ensure its continuity in the future.

From the first fishing vessels that Benjamin Beneteau insisted on fitting with an engine, to the latest Monte Carlo or Sense, the path this shipyard travelled is all the more incredible as its original values of commitment, innovation, passion and human relations have constantly been respected and continue to live on today.

Reflecting on this incredible journey, Annette Roux, Chairwoman of the Beneteau Foundation, expressed her emotions surrounding the milestone: ‘It is with a lot of emotion that we are this year celebrating the 140th anniversary of a Group founded in 1884 by my grandfather, Benjamin Bénéteau. Our entrepreneurial adventure, combining a pioneering spirit with conviction and audacity, started with a motorized sardine fishing boat. This was a success, laying the first foundations for our entrepreneurial adventure, combining a pioneering spirit with conviction and audacity. When our grandfather passed away, our father was only 21 years old. With his keen sense of aesthetics, he revolutionized how Beneteau boats were produced. In the 1960s, we had to change strategy to catch the wave. Once again, what made this turning point possible for Beneteau was an innovation: the arrival of polyester on the market. In 1964, at the age of just 22, I took the helm of the company, and the following year, we received an order for 50 polyester boats at the Paris Boat Show! I have always operated in line with these values of innovation and audacity. That is why I never tire of sharing this family story. It features all the elements that have made Groupe Beneteau a French industry flagship, proud of its roots, daring, innovative, and family-run.’

A future on the horizon: Sustainability and innovations

As Beneteau celebrates this remarkable achievement, it emphasizes its unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability through an ambitious strategy centered around three core principles: premiumization, sustainability, and accessibility. Groupe Beneteau aims to reduce CO2 emission intensity by 30 percent by 2030, provide alternative propulsion systems for all products by that same year, and ensure that at least 40 percent of employees are women by 2027.

Groupe’s commitment to sustainability is not just a goal; it’s an integral part of its mission. By rethinking how boats are designed and built, the Group utilizes innovative materials like 100 percent recyclable Elium resin, paving the way for a more sustainable boating future.

The latest innovations, such as the Beneteau First 44 – constructed entirely from this recyclable resin – illustrate the Group’s dedication to environmental responsibility without compromising performance. Additionally, the Figaro Beneteau 3 racing model showcases cutting-edge foil technology that enhances energy efficiency and speed, demonstrating the Group’s commitment to continually pushing the boundaries of design and functionality.

As Groupe Beneteau celebrates its 140th anniversary, it remains a beacon of innovation in the marine industry, poised for a bright future and ready to inspire a new generation of boating enthusiasts worldwide.

Photos Beneteau, 410 Films & Gilles Martin-Raget

Video Beneteau

 

Share this article:


Free Newsletter

Subscribe now to receive exclusive content,
news and special offers

Free Newsletter

Subscribe now to receive exclusive content, news and special offers
yachts.croatia
Let us open your eyes to Croatia!
Follow #YachtsCroatiaMagazine, find the magazine on the nearest newsstand & read us on the link above
yachts.croatia
Let us open your eyes to Croatia!
Follow #YachtsCroatiaMagazine, find the magazine on the nearest newsstand & read us on the link above