Eco Yachting's News Briefs present, every week, a selection of nautical news, consisting of a few exclusive news items, related to motorboats, sailboats, multihulls, RIBs, but also marinas, sailing basins and yacht clubs and associations, in short, to boating. Boat and nautical information not to be missed, and to be shared widely around you!

Glastron stays with Bénéteau, with a new positioning

Glastron is one of the four American brands of Groupe Bénéteau, the world's number two yacht manufacturer, alongside Wellcraft, Four Winns and Scarab. Initially, the Let's go Beyong strategic plan was to sell Glastron. In the end, it will not happen. The French group has decided otherwise: Glastron, a mythical outboard boat brand, often featured by James Bond, will now strengthen the Boat Club / boat rental division of the Bénéteau Group, since the Glastrons of tomorrow will be outboard boats intended to meet the gigantic dayboat market of Boat Clubs. Glastron dealers have just received a letter indicating the end of the brand's marketing to the general public. In terms of strategy, it would not be illogical for Glastron to propose wakesurfing boats, these ballast units, allowing to create a wave in their wake, for the practice of some water sports like surfing .... 

Technique Voile joins Incidence Group

Incidence Group and Technique Voile have concluded their negotiations. On July 12, 2022, Incidence Group has acquired 100% of Technique Voile shares. The sailmaker from Trinidad and Tobago joins Incidence Group and will benefit from its structures and products, in particular the D4 and DFi membranes. In the short term, each company will continue its activity as currently. A new organization of the group around its three brands (Incidence Sails, Delta Voiles and Technique Voile) is being developed. Incidence Group is the leading French sailmaker and one of the four world leaders in the design and manufacture of boat sails. It operates on the market of pleasure boating, ocean racing, supers yachts, classic sailboats, shipyards and commercial sailing vessels and addresses professionals as well as individuals. Industrial and artisanal at the same time, the company combines the traditional know-how of the sailmaker with the latest technologies. It develops and manufactures in France high-tech composite membranes for which it holds patents. Incidence Group has a turnover of 20.8 million euros and employs 152 people. 

Highfield triples its production capacity

Highfield Boats, the world's leading manufacturer of semi-rigid aluminum-hulled boats, has just inaugurated a brand new production plant in Weihai, China. The brand, which has produced no less than 38,000 RIBs since 2011, is positioned both on the market of tenders for sailboats and motorboats, and on the market of pleasure RIBs, with its Sport, Patrol and Coaster ranges. The Highfield brand is a partner of the Japanese engine manufacturer Honda Marine, and is very involved in the world of sailboat racing: as such, it is generally a partner of all the major offshore races, including the Vendée Globe and the Route du Rhum.