Leaders

Guillaume Andrebe, Asia-Pacific, Sales Director, Groupe Beneteau, catamaran, Lagoon, 42, 51, 55, Seventy 8, Excess, 11, 12, 14, 15, Simpson Marine, Europa Yachts, Lagoon Escapade, Thailand, Philippines

Guillaume Andrebe: Leading the cat charge in Asia

Leaders / By yachtstyle2020

Guillaume Andrebe: Leading the cat charge in Asia

June 8, 2023
2:33 pm

As Asia-Pacific Sales Director for two Groupe Beneteau catamaran builders, Andrebe oversees a dealer network seeking to maintain Lagoon as the region’s leading multihull brand, while he also works on raising the profile of the sporty, twin-helm Excess line.

Guillaume Andrebe, Asia-Pacific Sales Director, Lagoon and Excess

Guillaume, you’ve represented Lagoon and Excess from Groupe Beneteau’s Asia-Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong since January 2019. How important is the city for Lagoon?

It’s a very important market for us. Hong Kong has been the Asia-Pacific home of Groupe Beneteau since 2016 and it has been a steady market for Lagoon for a long time.

With Simpson Marine as our dealer (in Hong Kong and other markets), we’ve been selling boats to Cathay Pacific pilots, expats and increasingly to locals enjoying the boating lifestyle. Some Lagoon owners even live on their boats, in Sai Kung, Aberdeen and so on. Hong Kong is an amazing playground, as you have lots of islands to go to on the weekend with your family and friends. What’s better than a Lagoon catamaran for that.

You’ve visited Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Korea and Singapore in recent months, so which are the leading Asia-Pacific markets for Lagoon?

Currently, it’s Australia, although it often changes from year to year. Japan is strong and one of the oldest markets for us in Asia. Tetsuo Sekiguchi from First Marine is a long-time distributor of Beneteau and Lagoon, and is a legend of the industry and for Groupe Beneteau. Over the years, he has created an amazing Lagoon community there.

The first Lagoon 55 in Asia; Photo: Simpson Marine

The Philippines is also a huge market. Europa Yachts is our dealer there and we have a group of clients who are successful businessmen and pretty much all friends. They’ve been purchasing our biggest units for years now and upgrading regularly, so it’s actually a very big market for us.

Where else has Lagoon been strong in Asia?

Malaysia and Sanya in China have also been amazing places for business for us. I think Simon Theseira of Simpson Marine Malaysia even set a record one year, where he was the best Lagoon 620 salesman in the world.

There was similar demand in Sanya. If you still go to the marinas in Sanya, you have 620s lined up in marinas. Sanya slowed down a bit, mostly for political reasons, but is starting again now that Hainan is a Free Trade Port. It’s still a bit quiet in Malaysia, although Simpson Marine is still busy and we’ve been delivering Lagoons there regularly.

How do you view Lagoon’s presence in Singapore, which hosted the Southeast Asia debut of the Lagoon 55 (Review, Issue 59) at this year’s Singapore Yachting Festival, following the model’s Asia premiere in Hong Kong late last year?

It has been growing for the last five years. Before, the interest in catamarans wasn’t so big, mostly a matter of berthing, but people are realising that having a catamaran is great for going to the islands at weekends or using when you go on holiday to Indonesia or Thailand, for example.

Lagoon Sixty 7 (right) beside a 55 at the 2023 Singapore Yachting Festival

As well as the new 55, there’s a recent Sixty 7 powercat that was previously owned by a client in the Middle East, who realised he preferred sailing. So, he sold the Sixty 7 to a client in Singapore and bought a 55.

Simpson Marine resumed the Lagoon Escapade Thailand last October. How important is this event and what feedback do you get from Lagoon owners in the country?

Apart from the boat shows, these are probably the most important events for us because we’re trying to build this community around the brand. The Escapades work well. People travel all around the world with their Lagoons and when they meet another Lagoon owner, they’re happy to talk to them and share their stories and experience. They’re also very active online, exchanging tips on how to fix or repair something.

This is what we wanted to create, a community around the brand, and because owners renew their boats every few years, we want them to stay with us because they feel happy with us and part of a family. So, these events are important for this. During Escapades, we get to go sailing with them, share good times, share stories about the brand, and create a community.

Andrebe (back row) at Lagoon Escapade Thailand last October; Photo: Simpson Marine

When you talk to owners, is there anything that surprises you?

Yeah, always – they’re so proud. The pride of owning a Lagoon, you can really see it in their eyes. And they like to tell you where they’ve been and tell you the good times, the bad moments as well, when they were caught in a storm, how and what they did, and so on.

They’re proud of the memories they make on their boats. When I join the Escapades, I spend hours listening to their stories. They’re very active users.

What’s next for Lagoon Escapades in Asia?

The Lagoon Escapade Philippines was scheduled to be held in late May and was set to have the full current range of models represented, from the 42 to the Seventy 8 powercat. However, we’ve had to postpone this due to the weather, so it should be held later this year.

Lagoon Escapade Thailand 2022; Photo: Simpson Marine

The next Lagoon Escapade in Thailand is from November 3-5 and we’re also planning the first Escapade in Japan next year because we have so many Lagoons there. We’re also looking to host events in Hong Kong and Sanya.

How successful has the Lagoon 51 (Review, Issue 67) been in launching the brand’s new emphasis on sustainability?

We felt having solar panels was not enough anymore. It’s not enough to put solar panels everywhere on the boat and call yourself sustainable. We want to go further than this. So, we started from the very beginning of the process from where we get our raw materials, so now we only source wood from forests certified by FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

We source natural resin for use in the construction, which is another big step in the right direction. We offer recycled fabrics for all the upholstery. We even use natural fibres, so some structural parts of the boats are made of hemp fibre. Our R&D department is actively working into increasing the percentage of sustainable materials and we’re going to take more steps with future models.

Launched in 2022, the Lagoon 51 introduced the brand’s new sustainability focus

Groupe Beneteau is working with Torqeedo (click for article) and Vision Marine on electric propulsion. This is one of the main axis of the R&D department, but we don’t want to rush things. Lagoon was the first catamaran builder to put electric engines on a catamaran, in 2006, but the solution wasn’t great at the time, so we stopped.

Now, we want to take our time to find something that will bring enough power and autonomy to be safe. Also, something affordable because today this is a six-figure option, with competitors selling this for between €150,000 and €300,000, which is too much.

Even though it’s an expensive option, are people enquiring about hybrid or electric propulsion and energy?

Everybody is, but we tell them about the current performance of the systems, the price and the fact that it’s still very new technology. It’s going to be tough to find someone in a local marina willing to repair any such system because most are not trained for it, so clients quickly come back to choosing diesel engines. There are amazing initiatives happening, but we need to wait until these are workable and proven on a production scale.

Andrebe on a Lagoon 55 at this year’s Singapore Yachting Festival

Since Excess was introduced in 2019, where in Asia-Pacific has the brand proven popular?

French Polynesia is number one, ahead of Japan, Australia and New Zealand. We have a dealer, Sail Tahiti, that has found the perfect recipe. We never sold a new Lagoon to a private owner there, although we have sold to charter companies. But when David Allouch from Sail Tahiti arrived, he offered Excess models to anyone willing to keep them in French Polynesia.

Owners use it when they come and for the rest of the year, Sail Tahiti manages, charters and maintains it until the owners are back. And it works. We’ve sold at least 10 Excess catamarans in French Polynesia. For his first Excess 11, David took it from the shipyard in Les Sables-d’Olonne (on France’s west coast) and sailed it himself for three months to Tahiti.

The Excess 15 is the young brand’s flagship; Photo: Christophe Launay

What’s needed to increase the popularity of Excess in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, where Lagoon has been the leading catamaran brand for so long?

Groupe Beneteau created Excess because they realised the catamaran market was segmented into performance cats, like Outremer, HH and so on, and cruisers like Lagoon, but there was really nothing in the middle.

At a lot of boat shows, they heard on the pontoons that a lot of people weren’t willing to transition from a monohull to a catamaran because they didn’t want to give up on the sensations of sailing. So, they created Excess, which sits in the middle between performance and cruisers. You still have the comfort and the volume, but you also have a boat that sails well.

What do owners coming from monohulls want? They want helm stations at the back because they want to be right next to the water, have good vision of the sails and be directly connected to the rudders, so they can feel the water on their hands when they’re helming. This is what Excess offers.

There’s no flybridge on Excess, which makes the boat sportier looking, gives owners great access to the boom and the sails, and makes the boat lighter.

The Excess 11 is the brand’s popular entry model

Excess is not a performance cat, but it’s a bit faster than Lagoon and lighter, so will take off more easily in light winds. In five knots, you can start sailing. Owners then have everything they want. The family’s happy, they finally sail flat, everybody has their own room and privacy, as well as volume and comfort.

This is why we never have clients considering one or the other because the helm stations at the back and no flybridge is a ‘no’ for some people or appealing to others. In fact, we compared the data of people visiting Lagoon and Excess stands during boat shows, and only 10 per cent of people visited both, which means we have two different target audiences. Excess cats are very much for monohull sailors looking for similar sensations.

After the Excess 12 and 15 featured bridge decks and inner hulls from the Lagoon 40 and 52, the 11 and then 14 were all-new. Why is the brand’s management most excited about the Excess 14 (Review, Issue 68)?

I think we finally found our DNA. We’ve been looking for the Excess identity since 2019. The 12 and 15 were a good introduction, but not different enough from existing cats. With the 11, we started to feel something from the market. We’ve now sold over 250 units already, with a well-specced model costing about €400,000.

The new Excess 14 has helped the brand distinguish itself

Now, with the Excess 14 (click for Review), we went a step further in finding that DNA. It’s a sporty looking boat with those slightly aggressive lines. It’s innovative, very clever but simple, because sailors like simple boats that are easy to sail and maintain. We have an amazing naval architect, Herve Piveteau, who came up with all this, with the help of VPLP (Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prévost).

The Excess 14 is already a big commercial success and we’re sold out until the end of 2024. And from 2025, Excess is going to be able to build 250 boats a year, which will put it on the podium with the biggest catamaranbrands.
www.cata-lagoon.com
www.excess-catamarans.com

Tanguy Tertrais: M-Line expands Prestige options

Leaders / By yachtstyle2020

Tanguy Tertrais: M-Line expands Prestige options

June 1, 2023
11:09 am

As Asia-Pacific Sales Director for Prestige, Tanguy Tertrais is preparing for the French builder’s M Line of multihull motor yachts to enter Asia, while the brand introduces new developments for the popular F-Line.

Tanguy Tertrais, Asia-Pacific Sales Director, Prestige

Having recently visited Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Japan, what have you learnt since taking on the role of Prestige Sales Director for Asia-Pacific last September?

I’ve noticed each market is quite specific. I went to this year’s Japan International Boat Show in Yokohama and found that the way owners use their boats there is completely different from how boats are used in Hong Kong, mainland China or Singapore.

The Japanese clients, for example, don’t use their boats as much as they’re used in Hong Kong. It’s more of a social status in Japan, whereas in Hong Kong, it’s really something you use for the weekend or for day trips. It’s interesting to see these differences, whereas in Europe, it’s a different usage of the boat. These cultural differences are new to me, so it’s very interesting.

Tertrais in Japan with Prestige Brand Director Erwin Bamps and Yamaha Marine

However, the demands from our customers are similar. Most are looking for quality time on the water with their family and friends, and for more volume and space rather than speed. If we asked people a decade ago what they wanted, they would have said ‘a fast boat to go from A to B and back’.

Which are Prestige’s biggest markets in Asia?

Hong Kong is number one. Japan is picking up the pace and other markets are growing. We’ve talked a lot about Thailand, where a lot of Russian clients have come back and Chinese are visiting again. There is money all around the region such as in Indonesia and Malaysia, while the Philippines is a big market, especially for the new M-Line of multihull motor yachts.

But Hong Kong is our main market today and the F-Line of flybridges is the best seller, especially the 520. That’s our best-selling model worldwide and that’s also reflected in Asia. We see a demand for the X-Line as well. It has only been introduced in Asia quite recently, but the X-Line is becoming a trend as we’ve seen in the European market.

Tertrais at the China International Boat Show in Shanghai

Meanwhile, there’s growing interest in the M-Line worldwide and there have already been 30-plus retail orders for the M48, which is a good start for a yacht launched at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September. And with the announcement of the M8, everyone is getting excited about these models and it’s a trend we’re going to see across Asia, such as in Hong Kong, Philippines, Japan and so on.

Asia Yachting represents Prestige in Hong Kong, Thailand and the Philippines, so what have you learnt from their team about these markets?

Most of the owners in these markets have crew, so it’s a different way of using the boat. In terms of layout options, the designs of the boats differ when someone uses the boat with a full crew. A Seakeeper stabiliser and air-conditioning are common options, so these are also things to consider when creating models to cover these markets.

Prestige 690 Swarovski Edition

Perceived quality is very important in Asia, which is why we partnered with Swarovski on the Prestige 690. The Prestige 690 Swarovski Edition is already on its way to Asia.

How closely are you cooperating with Asia Yachting?

Working closely with our dealers in all their markets is key to making sure our brand is well represented. I was talking about the Philippines with the M-Line. That’s a key market for us so we’re working closely with Asia Yachting to understand how we can build our presence there with the M-Line. Thailand is also picking up.

Asia Yachting is an expert on the yachting industry in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, so we want to build that partnership to have a presence for Prestige in those key markets. Event wise, they are a true partner and regularly host Prestige events. In November, we host the Prestige Exclusive Days at our shipyard in France and we’ll do it in Beaulieu-sur-Mer in August with some sea trials, so we want to increase those events.

Tertrais and Bamps with Asia Yachting at the Prestige Exclusive Day in Hong Kong

Asia Yachting has hosted the first official Prestige Exclusive Days outside of France, so the idea is to spread these throughout the world in the US, for example, but also hopefully one day in the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and so on. They’re a true partner to help us grow our visibility and our branding across the region.

What has been the reaction to the X-Line in Asia, where the region’s first X70 arrived in Hong Kong in late 2021?

There has been an excellent response and I believe it will be even better for the X60, with the first model in Asia potentially arriving in Hong Kong late summer. We had an X70 handover in December and we had 15-20 people on the boat having a good time, and that’s how owners here like to use their boats, so the X-Line is right on point.

Prestige X60

You don’t see the volumes on the X-Line models on other brands. That’s what yacht owners in Asia are looking for because when they go boating, they don’t go by themselves. They’re going with the full family, with some friends or even some business partners, and they’re looking for those volumes.

What about the M-Line, the brand’s entry into the multihull market?

The M-Line is a step further. The boats have been designed from scratch as powercats, to offer unprecedented space and experiences for guests and the owner, including what we call an owner’s suite, because that’s really what it is.

Today, many of our competitors in the multihull motor yacht market are coming from sailing catamarans. We don’t have the same constraints, so we manage to offer unrivalled spaces for a new way of experiencing the sea. The design of our M8, for instance, is based on a perfect technical platform to meet four pillars: comfort, conscious luxury, environmental awareness and natural stability.

Prestige M48

I think the M48 is going to be well received in Asia and when we talk to Asia Yachting, it’s clear that’s what their customers are asking for: huge volumes and comfort on board. And that’s the feedback we got from all over the world but especially Asia.

Do you think Prestige surprised its competitors by moving into multihulls?

I think it was a surprise for them. I think we may have surprised them with our timing and if you look at Boot Dusseldorf this year, Prestige was the only exhibitor in Hall 6 (for luxury yachts) with a powercat.

However, I think if we meet in two years or three years, other brands could have power cats. We created a boat that interests a lot of owners of monohulls, multihulls and sailing boats, as well as first-time boat owners.

Prestige M48

It feels like there’s a trend and a lot of companies are talking about it, but for now, we’re going to distribute the boat everywhere. The first one in Asia will be in Hong Kong by the end of this year or early 2024, there will be one at the Japan International Boat Show in Yokohama in March 2024, one in Australia for the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May 2024 and so on.

As a brand, we’ve ensured that the first 15 units are dedicated to visibility around the world, to cover the main markets and main boat shows.

What about the M8 model in build at Groupe Beneteau Italia in Monfalcone and the most expensive Prestige model to date?

The M8 is coming with a new dimension of comfort. It’s a high-end catamaran representing a new generation, linking comfort and luxury with luminous spaces. It’s going to put Prestige and the M-Line on another level. We’re not talking to the same customers; instead, we’re talking to superyacht owners that want more stability and efficiency.

Prestige M8

On the finishing, the materials, the layout, the furniture, we’re putting the M8 on the level we want to put the brand to be able to talk to those customers, who are owners of 80-90ft superyachts that want to feel the same volume, but in a more compact platform. That’s what the M8 is about.

The debut of the M8 will be at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2023. It will be hull two and will feature a ‘silent mode’ due to the use of solar panels, so you don’t have to use the generator. Hull one is for the US.

So, Prestige believes multihull motor yachts are here to stay?

When you look at the advantages multihulls bring – efficiency, comfort and stability, and space – that’s everything our yachting customers are looking for today. They’re looking for those key points when they’re purchasing a boat and the M-Line power catamarans are ticking all the boxes. It’s a trend we’ve seen for the past few years, it’s going to grow and it’s going to stay.

Asia Yachting Open Day

Hong Kong and some Southeast Asia markets have a bias towards Italian and British motor yacht builders, especially in the 50-100ft motor yacht market. Although Prestige has done very well in the 40-70ft segment, does the brand have to upgrade its image to remain a leader in this sector?

Today, Prestige is the leading brand for 40-60ft flybridge motor yachts, but we have a demand for a higher level of finish and bigger sizes and volumes. The X-Line answers this demand in the 60-70ft segment, but as we look to keep leading the 40-60ft flybridge market, we’re developing the F-Line to ensure we continue to answer all the needs of our clients and future owners within the 40-80ft range.

www.prestige-yachts.com

www.asiayachting.net

Della Pearce: Singapore shining again

Leaders / By yachtstyle2020

Della Pearce: Singapore shining again

May 24, 2023
10:51 pm

In a Column for YACHT STYLE, Della Pearce of Hong Seh explains that she’s delighted to see her home city take centre stage again, with stunning yachts making their Asia debuts, regional and international sailing events, and lots to look forward to in the coming year.

Della Pearce, Fernando Alonso and Edward Tan at the Sunreef event in Singapore

Singapore and the region have experienced a great deal of yachting activity since late last year, when we welcomed Sunreef ambassador Fernando Alonso as the two-time F1 champion visited Singapore (click for article) and later hosted the first Ferretti Beach Out on Lazarus Island (click for article). This is largely due to the increasing number of events in the Southeast Asia region and the growing affluence in the region.

The area’s climate makes it an ideal location for yachting, with steady winds, warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Furthermore, with sophisticated marinas and world-class yacht clubs, Singapore and its neighbouring states are quickly becoming a hub for yachting enthusiasts from around the region.

Hong Seh concluded 2022 with the Ferretti Beach Out

EXCITING ARRIVALS

Last year was incredible for large boat deliveries in Singapore, with over 10 superyachts ranging from 28-44m delivered into the city. We’re proud to say that Hong Seh accounted for five of those including a Custom Line Navetta 30, the brand’s first new build sold into the city.

The sales of these superyachts coincide with the number of family offices that have now moved to Singapore. Furthermore, with the presence of these larger yachts, there has been a growing demand for professional yacht management services in Singapore that weren’t needed for smaller boats.

Riva Rivamare

As Singapore’s exclusive dealer for Ferretti Yachts, Riva and Pershing from Italy’s Ferretti Group, Hong Seh Yachting is now looking forward to delivering two iconic, luxury boats to clients in Singapore – a Rivamare and a wallypower58. With their sleek designs and state-of-the-art features, they offer exceptional comfort and luxury to their owners.

A stalwart of Riva’s iconic Open series, the Rivamare is a 39ft yacht which has been meticulously crafted to offer opulent living quarters, with stylish interiors and a spacious deck.

Wally’s wallypower 58

On the other hand, the wallypower58 boasts an innovative design that optimises space and performance. These Riva and Wally models are exceptional boats that are sure to impress anyone who enjoys the finer things in life.

EVENTS GALORE

The recent Singapore Yachting Festival showcased the latest and greatest in yachting technology, equipment and accessories.

Hong Seh hosted a Ferretti Yachts 500 open day in February

The four-day event provided an opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with a range of stunning yachts and boats, and to learn more about the various aspects of yachting.

Featuring seminars, demonstrations and exhibitions from leading experts within the yachting industry, the Festival offered a wealth of information for both experienced yachtsmen and those new to boating.

Hong Seh Yachting and Ferretti Group at Singapore Yachting Festival

Our display at the Singapore Yachting Festival included the Asia debut of the Ferretti Yachts 860 – the brand’s third-largest model – a Ferretti Yachts 780, Ferretti Yachts 720 and a Ferretti Yachts 500. It was great to spend several days with friends from Ferretti Group in Italy and the Ferretti Group Asia Pacific office in Hong Kong, who all flew in for the event.

We also displayed a Schaefer V33 from Brazil and a Zodiac Medline 6.8 RIB from France, as we also represent Sunreef, Boston Whaler, Schaefer and Zodiac under Hong Seh Marine.

Four Ferretti Yachts models at the Singapore Yachting Festival

Earlier in the year, Singapore’s first SailGP marked a significant milestone in the nation’s history of sailing. The event brought the world’s top sailors and teams to Singapore to compete in thrilling races aboard high-performance F50 catamarans.

The event showcased Singapore’s ability to host world-class sporting events, with state-of-the-art facilities and stunning views of the city skyline providing a perfect backdrop for the races. There were a fleet of 80-100 boats out on the water to view the F50s, a spectacle in itself.

SailGP in Singapore

Soon after, this year’s edition of the Neptune Regatta again started at Nongsa Point Marina on the Indonesian island of Batam, an hour’s ferry ride southeast of Singapore, with participants sailing to the equator.

The regatta attracts participants from the local community as well as international sailors. The competition features several categories, including cruising and racing divisions, and includes both power and sail vessels.

ONE°15 Marina Nirup Island

There’s plenty more to look out for south of Singapore, with the highly anticipated marina on Nirup Island set to open its doors to the public in the middle of the year. Even closer to Singapore than Batam is, the small Indonesian island is surrounded by coral reefs and clear blue water, and will feature luxurious resort accommodation and a host of yachting amenities.

As the countdown to its opening continues, expectations remain high, and boaters are already eagerly awaiting the chance to experience Nirup Island for themselves.

SINGAPORE SAILING

And there’s more to look forward to. Hong Seh recently became a sponsor of the 35-strong Singapore Sailing Team (click for article), whose competitions include the SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in May and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from September 23-October 8.

Hong Seh with the Singapore Sailing Team

Our sponsorship also covers the Paris 2024 Olympics in France, where the sailing competition will be held in Marseille from July 28-August 8.

Hong Seh’s representation of Sunreef since last year marked the company’s entry into sailing and power catamarans including solar-electric Eco models, so this sponsorship echoed our growing commitment to the sailing community.

Edward Tan receives a Singapore Sailing Federation jacket

Edward Tan, Executive Director of Hong Seh Group, presented a cheque for SG$70,000 to the Singapore Sailing Federation in April. Asian Games gold medallists Cecilia Low and Kimberly Lim, who aim to defend their 49erFX title at the Hangzhou Asian Games, were among over 30 athletes, coaches, Executive Board members and senior management attending the cheque presentation.

The sponsorship will help cover costs for uniforms, technical and competition apparel

for the sailors, coaches and support staff. The Federation even presented Edward with an official Singapore Sailing jacket featuring the Hong Seh logo on the right sleeve.

DELLA PEARCE

Della Pearce (second left) and Hong Seh colleagues

Pearce is Director of both Hong Seh Yachting, which represents Ferretti Yachts, Riva and Pershing, and Hong Seh Marine, representing Sunreef, Boston Whaler, Schaefer and Zodiac, while the company’s services include yacht management, chartering, maintenance and brokerage. She entered the industry in 2005, mentored by Scott Walker of Asia Pacific Superyachts Singapore, and apprenticed at a marina, assisting with RYA sailing courses before graduating from Singapore Maritime Academy. From 2011, she worked for Simpson Marine in Singapore and Hainan before joining Hong Seh in 2016.

dellarugdee@hongseh.com.sg / www.hongsehmarine.com.sg

Simpson Marine statement on potential Sanlorenzo acquisition

Leaders / By yachtstyle2020

Simpson Marine statement on potential Sanlorenzo acquisition

April 28, 2023
4:23 pm

Simpson Marine has issued a statement about its proposed acquisition by Sanlorenzo, which it has represented in Asia since 2015.

Mike Simpson, founder and Managing Director of Simpson Marine

The following is based on a statement issued by Simpson Marine:

As Simpson Marine heads towards the milestone of 40 years of business operations in Asia, the company is now pursuing a new strategic direction, with Mike Simpson actively preparing for his well-deserved retirement while ensuring the company’s passage into the coming decades of success and expansion.

Established in 1984 in Hong Kong by Mike Simpson and progressively expanding over Asia with 11 offices in seven markets including Hong Kong (HQ), mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore (SEA HQ), Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, Simpson Marine has become synonymous with the highest standards of business practices in the yachting industry in Asia-Pacific.

With over 3,500 yachts sold in Asia, a team of 140 professionals and an integrated business model including sales of new yachts and superyachts, yacht brokerage, charter, yacht management, service, water toys and tenders along with a new sailing academy in Thailand, Simpson Marine Group has become the reference for yachting across the region. Simpson Marine often serves as an exemplary case study to regional governments seeking advice and guidance in their maritime expansion.

Over the years, Simpson Marine has represented some of the world’s leading yachting brands, with its present portfolio including Sanlorenzo, Bluegame, Beneteau, Lagoon, Fairline, Aquila and Highfield. The Simpson Marine team played a crucial role in establishing the Sanlorenzo brand in Asia after a strategic portfolio evolution from Azimut to Sanlorenzo back in 2015.

Since then, Simpson Marine’s Sanlorenzo Asia division has welcomed nearly 70 Sanlorenzo yachts and superyachts of all sizes and ranges into Asia. The 10 arrivals in February and March 2023 alone are a testament to the growing success of the brand within Asia.

Simpson Marine has about 140 employees across Asia

The Asian market has been extremely receptive to Sanlorenzo’s brand values and world-class offering of unique, bespoke and custom-built yachts. Many other factors have had strong appeal to local clientele, including the shipyard’s commitment to sustainable yachting through its constant research into green propulsion and sustainable materials, and its intrinsic commitment to art.

With an understanding of the tremendous potential of yachting in the Asia-Pacific, Sanlorenzo is formally considering a strategic investment into Simpson Marine Group, which would further strengthen its presence and footprint in the region.

A non-binding MOU between Mike Simpson, Simpson Marine founder and Managing Director, and Massimo Perotti, Sanlorenzo SpA Chairman, was signed in early April 2023. A further study on this potential investment is currently ongoing and will be completed over the next few months.

The long relationship between Mike Simpson and Massimo Perotti dates to 1986 when Simpson Marine took on the dealership of Azimut in Asia. At the time Perotti was working for Azimut in Italy under the leadership of its then-Chairman Paolo Vitelli and eventually became Managing Director of the Azimut Group. He collaborated closely with Mike on the growth of Azimut in Asia through Simpson Marine until leaving Azimut in 2004.

In 2005, Perotti acquired Sanlorenzo from Giovanni Jannetti and since then he has led the company through a dramatic transformation from €40 million of revenue with 75 employees to become a leading yacht and superyacht builder with more than 700 employees and nearly €1 billion of revenue logged for the coming year.

Massimo Perotti, Chairman of Sanlorenzo

Having focused on the company evolution in its first 10 years, Perotti approached Mike Simpson in early 2014 regarding a potential representation of Sanlorenzo in Asia by Simpson Marine. This meant a strategic change of Simpson Marine’s brand portfolio and de facto parting ways with their historic partner, the Azimut-Benetti Group.

Both Sanlorenzo and Simpson Marine were also linked by a strategic investment from the Chinese investor Sundiro, which took a minority stake at Sanlorenzo and Simpson Marine and was due to take a majority stake of Simpson Marine in pursuit of their vision of exponential growth of yachting operations (sales, services and infrastructure) in China and Asia.

The Sundiro investment into Simpson Marine wasn’t completed due to external reasons, and Sanlorenzo later bought back their shares from Sundiro in 2019. Despite this turn of events, the link between Simpson Marine and Sanlorenzo has become a strong one and this relationship has resulted in the spectacular success of the Sanlorenzo brand in Asia, with the region accounting for up to 23 per cent of the shipyard’s revenues in the past years.

Simpson Marine’s priority is always its customers. While the discussions between the companies are underway, it is business as usual and Simpson Marine’s engagement with all partner shipyards remains strong.

Likewise, its commitment to the customers and yacht owners purchasing yachts of all brands remains unchanged. All Simpson Marine customers can be guaranteed of the company’s standard market-leading service they are accustomed to. Both parties will continue to communicate as discussions progress.

www.simpsonmarine.com

Asiamarine enters new era with new brands

Leaders / By yachtstyle2020

Asiamarine enters new era with new brands

April 28, 2023
1:10 am

As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, Asiamarine has added Swan and Silent-Yachts to a portfolio of brands including Galeon, Bali and Nimbus.
Words: John Higginson; Photos: Asiamarine & Shipyards

Asiamarine hosted a three-day boat show at Club Marina Cove in Hong Kong

Asiamarine bounded into the Year of the Rabbit in sprightly fashion, after a back-to-back series of announcements that have grown its regional footprint and expanded its yacht offerings into the sailing monohull and solar-electric sectors.

In recent months, Asiamarine was appointed to manage Galeon Asia – overseeing a dealer network in nine countries beyond its core territories of Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand – before being announced as the dealer for Nautor Swan and Silent-Yachts in multiple markets. No wonder the company’s annual party at Chinese New Year looked so much fun.

Asiamarine’s Chinese New Year party at Aberdeen Marina Club

As excited as CEO Eric Noyel is about both new brands and moving into new sectors of the yachting market, he’s clear that motor yacht powerhouse Galeon remains Asiamarine’s flagship brand, as it has been since 2016, when the builder also started to be represented by MarineMax in the US.

Meanwhile, Asiamarine’s sales of Bali sailing catamarans and Nimbus day boats have been solid since the brands joined the dealership’s widening portfolio in mid-2020 and late 2021 respectively.

Benjamin Tabuteau (right) and colleagues at Asiamarine Thailand

“Galeon remains our anchor brand, followed by Bali and Nimbus, while Swan and Silent are complementary because they’re focused on different but growing segments,” says Noyel, who founded Asiamarine in March 2013. “However, Galeon still feels very new and there are still many markets around the region to break into.”

EXPANDING TERRITORY

For starters, Asiamarine sold and delivered its first Galeon in the Philippines last year, with the 460 Fly followed by a 325 GTO later in the year. Thailand welcomed its first 500 Fly, Galeon’s iconic ‘transformer’ model that made the brand a household name, while Singapore welcomed its first new 500 Fly in late 2021.

Asiamarine showcases Galeon yachts in Hong Kong

Recently, the first new Galeon bought in Taiwan, again a 500 Fly, was sold by a new dealer appointed under Galeon Asia, which is managed by Vietnam-based Michel Joly, Asiamarine’s Regional Dealership Manager.

To date, Asiamarine has sold over 60 Galeon yachts into the region, including a 640 Fly in Hong Kong. Noyel believes the current network of satisfied clients, primarily in Hong Kong, are creating a widening circle of influence that he believes will be replicated in other markets.

“Galeon has been focusing on quality and innovation, and it’s paying off. Compared to some very famous brands from Italy and the UK, Galeon is still a new name in Asia, but now there are enough clients who have shown they’re happy to buy a Galeon motor yacht from Poland,” he says.

A Galeon 640 Fly (left) in Hong Kong

“Once you have a few owners and role models who own Galeon boats, then people tend to follow. We have some really good, reliable, trustworthy clients who have their circle of influence and so the brand is growing gradually. People who have been on board a Galeon know the quality, so I think most of the groundbreaking has been done.”

Galeon has collaborated with UK-based Tony Castro Yacht Design for over two decades and is best known for its iconic ‘beach mode’ models popularised by the 500 Fly and its drop-down wings, waterside bar and transformable outdoor areas. It was followed by the 460 Fly, 640 Fly, 400 Fly, the 440 Fly last year and the 560 Fly that debuted at this year’s Miami International Boat Show.

However, Noyel is most excited about the brand’s new flagship, the 800 Fly, which debuted at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last October. The Frenchman has been aboard and believes the Category A boat would make a strong impression in Asia.

Galeon’s new flagship 800 Fly

“The boat is massive, and the quality of the interior styling has gone up a lot. It’s a really nicely executed 83ft yacht and competitively priced. It’s also a Category A boat, so you can take it offshore, which makes it stand out from most of the competition in that size range,” says Noyel, who believes the model is priced at least 20 per cent below competitors.

“It’s a great boat for Asia and a very good first ‘regional’ model for someone who wants a longer range and to explore other countries. It’s in a size sector where other brands have a long history, so I’d like to have a first one here to show the difference. Once we have one, it can show its own merits, which are plenty. I think the first one in Asia will be very appealing.”

GALEON, NIMBUS DAY BOATS

At the other end of the size scale, Galeon is growing its GTO range of Grand Touring Outboards, which started in early 2021 with the 325 GTO, a model sold in Hong Kong later that year by Asiamarine Yacht Broker Candy Li, while last year units were delivered to the Philippines and Singapore.

Galeon’s new 375 GTO Fly

Last year the builder launched the powerful 375 GTO, which has not one but two side decks and is a fun-packed, transformer day boat, with flexible, multi-functional furniture again a dominant theme.

“The 375 GTO is interesting because it has balconies on both sides, so that really extends the platform. It’s only 5ft longer than the 325 GTO, but it feels like a much bigger boat, substantially bigger,” Noyel says.

“Now that we have the 325 GTO in Hong Kong, Philippines and Singapore, this style of fun day boat is starting to gain traction. However, I think these models may have more appeal in Southeast Asia than in Hong Kong, where there’s still a strong preference for flybridge models.”

Nimbus T11 in Hong Kong

Noyel echoes this sentiment for the range of boats from Nimbus, which it represents in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The historic Swedish builder was founded in 1968 and its lines include Tender (T8, T9, T11), Commuter (C8, C9, C11) and Day Cruisers including the 305 Drophead, Weekender 9 (W9) and the Weekender 11 (W11) due to launch this year.

Nimbus’s portfolio is headed by its Coupé Cruisers including the 305, 365 and 405 Coupé models, 405 Flybridge and flagship 465 Coupé – also a flybridge model – due to launch in 2024. Asiamarine’s Singapore office recently sold a T9 X-edition, the company’s first sale of an X-edition model.

A Nimbus T9 X-edition was sold in Singapore

“It’s the same for Nimbus as it is for Galeon’s GTO range, as we see them growing in popularity in Southeast Asia. We’ve sold all our models in Singapore, all our models in Thailand, but it has been slow in Hong Kong. I think people who buy those boats in Hong Kong are younger and probably go for more ‘show off’ brands, which have a similar boat with a bit less quality but more colourful paint!”

FROM BALI TO ASIA

Bali represented Asiamarine’s entry into the world of catamarans and the dealer has sold over a dozen units to date, a decent return considering its first order arrived in late 2020.

Bali catamarans at the Asiamarine show at Marina Cove

The entry-level Catspace, which debuted at Boot Dusseldorf in January 2020, is the brand’s best-selling model in Asia followed by the flagship 5.4 and the 4.2, with the dealer recently hosting an Open Day (click for article).

To celebrate a landmark birthday, Noyel commissioned his own customised 4.8, Happy Fifty, featuring Minotti upholstery and furniture, and a hard top, using it in the Med before bringing it to Hong Kong. As with Galeon, Asiamarine is still entering new markets with the brand, with the first unit in Singapore, a Catspace, arriving in late 2021 and the first sale to Thailand arriving in the past year.

Asiamarine staff at the Bali 4.2 Open Day in April

However, it has been tough for Bali to keep producing boats as fast as it sells them, with the French shipyard among many doing their best to keep up with orders in the Covid era.

Olivier Poncin only founded the leisure cat brand in 2014 as an offshoot of his Catana Group, yet the brand soon gained attention because of pioneering features like the signature ‘Bali door’, a full flybridge on smaller models, a forward saloon door and solid foredecks.

Following the release of the flagship 5.4, the company quickly unveiled five new models within two years from 2020. The Catspace, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6 and 4.8 cover a core size range from 40-48ft and huge sales of each model have positioned the brand as a genuine competitor to long-established market leaders like Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot and Leopard.

Asiamarine broker Jacqueline Lee (left) at the Bali 4.2 Open Day

“Bali has had rapid growth. Five or so years ago, it was making only a couple of dozen boats a year, so it has been quite a transformation, while logistics and supply-chain issues have also not helped. We’ve had some delays in deliveries, but the sales have gone up nicely,” says Noyel, who is eagerly awaiting the brand’s full-scale release of its power catamarans, another sector he believes is growing significantly.

SAILING WITH SWAN

Following its moves into catamarans with Bali and day boats with Nimbus, Asiamarine has moved into the world of sailing monohulls with Swan, one of the industry’s most iconic brands.

Asiamarine’s appointment as the brand’s representative in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam followed its appointment in mid-2022 as the dealer for the Swan Shadow, the first motor yacht produced by the builder since it was founded in Finland in 1966.

The Swan 48 by German Frers is the Finnish brand’s entry model

The appointment came in time for Asiamarine staff to attend this year’s edition of Boot Dusseldorf, where Nautor Swan debuted the Swan 48 MKII and announced details of the upcoming ClubSwan 43, a cruising-friendly addition to the builder’s range of one-design racing yachts.

Noyel, who grew up sailing in the south of France, is excited about the potential of the premium brand, which builds sailing monohulls across three series: Swan Yachts (Swan 48-Swan 78), Maxi Swan Yachts (Swan 88-Swan 128) and ClubSwan Yachts (ClubSwan 36-ClubSwan 125).

“My hopes for Swan are huge. Firstly, because I think the sailing market is coming back to life very strongly. The ratio of sailing yachts versus motor yachts has increased for the first time in over a decade and that applies across all sizes including superyachts, which we know through Fraser,” he says.

The Shadow is Swan’s first motor yacht

“Secondly, the Swan brand has an immense following among experienced sailors in Asia who know it from its international reputation. Swan has been a bit quiet in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, but I anticipate the brand will catch up in two to three years.

“It will take time to build momentum as it requires an investment on our side in getting people to experience the brand, explaining why it’s different and building on the large number of people who know the brand in mature sailing markets, which includes Hong Kong.”

THE SILENT ERA

As if that wasn’t enough, Asiamarine is also taking its first steps representing Silent-Yachts in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.

Founded by Austrian Michael Köhler, the builder is a pioneer of solar-electric powercats and is currently producing its new range of Silent 60, 62 3-Deck, 80 and 80 3-Deck models across its own facility in Fano on Italy’s east coast and in Turkey’s VisionF shipyard, where the flagship Silent 120 is also in build.

Silent 60 in Mallorca

The first few units of the Silent 60 were built in Thailand and have been delivered to Europe and the US, and although other builders have moved or are moving into the sector, Asia is still awaiting its first solar-electric catamaran. That is until 2024, when Noyel says the first Silent 62 3-Deck will be delivered to this region.

“I think solar-electric powercats are going to be very much in demand so in anticipation of that, we wanted to work with Silent-Yachts,” he says. “Like Swan, it’s brand-new for us and still in the ‘cooking’ stage. We only started a couple of months ago, but we have a lot of leads of our own and from Silent Yachts. People are curious and the interest is there.”

Following the initial builds of the Silent 60, almost all subsequent orders of the 60 series are for the 62 3-Deck, which – like the 80 3-Deck – offers a full flybridge in either an open or enclosed version.

The Silent 62 3-Deck has a larger flybridge

While Noyel is confident of the appeal of solar-electric propulsion, a 60ft flybridge catamaran is a significant ‘starter model’ for a market such as Hong Kong where wide-beamed catamarans of that size are still a minority. Furthermore, the starting price can appear quite steep, although Noyel says they’re “worth every penny” due to the almost total absence of fuel costs and reduced maintenance.

“I think solar-electric yachts have a good future, but 60ft and 80ft catamarans are still quite big for Hong Kong marinas. Technically, I think Silent-Yachts is producing the most advanced solar-electric propulsion system, although it might be interesting to discuss working with an interior designer to customise models for the local market.”

FRASER REVIVAL IN ASIA

Asiamarine has represented Fraser since 2018 and has secured an average of three to four annual sales of superyachts during its best years. However, Noyel admits that 2022 was tough, but also that Fraser Asia has started the new year strongly, as people in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia welcome an almost total relaxation of travel restrictions.

Fraser Asia sold the 38m Sanlorenzo Phoenix

“We’ve done as much business in Fraser in the first couple of months of this year than we did all of last year,” Noyel laughs. “For us, it’s still a very volatile market, which depends on a small number of very big deals. The superyacht business feeds off our regular new build, brokerage and charter businesses, and is what I call our ‘bonus business’.”

As well as being CEO of Asiamarine, Noyel is Managing Director of Fraser Asia, whose recent sales include the 38m Sanlorenzo SD122 Phoenix, sold to the Middle East (click for article).

Benjamin Tabuteau of Fraser Asia sold the 86ft Sunseeker Maxxx

Noyel is delighted that more Asiamarine staff have recently become qualified Sales Brokers for Fraser including Phuket-based Benjamin Tabuteau, General Manager of Asiamarine’s Thailand operation, who last year secured his first superyacht sale, the 86ft Sunseeker Maxxx.

Raphael Sachs, Asiamarine’s Bangkok-based Regional VP Sales New Boats, is also a registered Sales Broker for Fraser.

“It really helps to have a team of Sales Brokers for Fraser, while all our other Asiamarine staff can help them when they have a lead or yacht to sell,” Noyel says. “Now, we’re better integrated into the Fraser network, use their resources more, and are increasingly interacting with other Fraser offices and brokers.

Fraser Asia’s beach clean-up in Hong Kong

“For example, if we have a client in Asia who wants to buy a yacht in Europe, but they want to deal with a Monaco or Florida broker, then we help ensure they deal with a Monaco or Florida broker. These dynamics are growing nicely.”

Noyel says the strong start to 2023 for Fraser Asia extends to its charter business, which had been almost non-existent in Southeast Asia during a couple of years of strict travel restrictions in the region.

Laura Verbrugge, who has been with the company since January 2018, and Sum Lo are Charter Brokers for Asiamarine in Hong Kong, while Verbrugge is also a Charter Broker for Fraser.

Asiamarine staff at Club Marina Cove

“A very positive development is the resumption of international charter, which had disappeared for many of our clients,” says Noyel, whose Fraser clients target the Mediterranean and Caribbean as much as Asia-Pacific. “We did more charter bookings in January and February this year than we did across 2021 and 2022!”

If its start to the Year of the Rabbit is any indication, Asiamarine has a lot to look forward to in its second decade.

www.asiamarine.com

Note: The original article appeared in YACHT STYLE Issue 70

Iain Smallridge on Pearl challenging the “big brands”

Leaders / By yachtstyle2020

Iain Smallridge on Pearl challenging the “big brands”

April 17, 2023
11:15 pm

Founder and Managing Director of Pearl Yachts, Iain Smallridge has established the boutique British builder in Europe and the US, and is now setting his sights on the Middle East and Far East.
Interview: John Higginson; Photos: Pearl

Pearl Yachts is best known in Europe and the US, so are you now hopeful of a push into Asia following the appointment of VP Yachts as your Hong Kong dealer?

We know that the brand and the product range should sell in Hong Kong. It’s just a case of developing that relationship with VP Yachts and trying to get some product the

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