Kochanski Zieba & Partners has advised French Groupe Beneteau, a sail and powerboat manufacturer company, on an agreement with Polish yacht producer Delphia Yachts regarding the sale of its design, building, and marketing operations for sailing and motor yachts under the Delphia Yachts and Maxi Yachts brands. Delphia was represented by CG Law.
This acquisition was made through a Polish entity in which Delphia Yachts will retain 20% of the capital.
According to KZP, “founded in 1990 and based in Olecko, Delphia Yachts is now one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading boat builders.” Since 1990, it has built over 25,000 units. In 2017, it recorded revenues of PLN 130 million, with PLN 9 million in income from ordinary operations, and it currently employs 670 people.
Groupe Beneteau is a global boating company that was founded in 1884. It has over 27 production sites and 19 boatbuilding sites worldwide, and employs over 7,000 people. Through its Boat division’s ten brands it offers over 200 recreational boat models.
The acquisition of Delphia Yachts’ business will be completed within the next few months, subject to regulatory approval
Herve Gastinel, Groupe Beneteau CEO, stated: “To support its development on the dynamic and strategic segment for outboard motorboats and small sailing yachts, Groupe Beneteau will be able to capitalize on Delphia Yachts’ industrial capacity and expertise. This acquisition will further strengthen the group’s solid positions and is in line with its long-term strategy for sustainable and profitable growth.”
KZP’s team was led by Partners Pawel Cholewinski and Gabriel Olearnik, and included Senior Associate Kacper Czubacki and Associates Edyta Rekawek and Piotr Zabkiewicz.
The CG Law team was included Partner Tomasz Siembida, Attorney-at-Law Tomasz Maslak, and Associate Bartosz Lewandowski.
Editor's Note: After this article was published, CEE Legal Matters was informed that Dechert's Paris office served as lead counsel to Groupe Beneteau. The firm's team included Partner Ermine Bolot and Associate Benhouda Derradji.
