Beneteau reports boat sales increase

PARIS – Increases in boat sales helped drive a 10.6 percent jump in sales at French manufacturer Beneteau for the nine month period ended May 31, according to a report yesterday on Forbes.com.

Beneteau’s boats division grew by 9 percent during the period to 628 million euros. However, Beneteau’s mobile home business also contributed to the growth that resulted in total revenues of 830.2 million euros, the article stated.

The company said that as of the end of May, its boat order book represented more than 95 percent of its expected annual sales, according to Forbes.com. That goal is 1.087 billion euros, which would equal a 7.3 percent increase over the prior year, the article reported.

Beneteau also reported that it’s in talks with Verdoso Industry to sell its Wauquiez International SAS cruising yacht business, which represents less than 1 percent of its boat division sales, Forbes.com stated. Its new focus includes expanding the market for 15- to 25-meter powerboats and residential homes.

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