Yachting Art Magazine

A major change is taking place at Bavaria Yachts. The German shipyard has announced the appointment of Norbert Leifeld as managing director. This handover is in line with the strategy implemented in recent years, with the aim of consolidating the company's achievements and supporting the shipyard in its new phase of development.

The news has just reached us at Actunautique Yachting Art: Norbert Leifeld is officially taking over as head of Bavaria Yachts with immediate effect, succeeding Michael Müller, who has held the position since 2019.
Well known in the industry, Norbert Leifeld joined Bavaria in 2023 as Chief Operating Officer (COO). 

Prior to that, he spent 15 years as a consultant, supporting renowned shipyards with their product strategies, new range development and industrial process optimisation. He will also continue in his role at Bavaria Holding as President of Nautitech, the French shipyard specialising in catamarans.

This change at the helm of Bavaria Yachts is part of a gradual handover process. After six years at the helm of the shipyard, Michael Müller is now joining the advisory board of Bavaria Yachtbau Holding. Under the chairmanship of Kai Brandes, this board plays a strategic role in the long-term orientation of the company. He is joined by a new member, Dr Hans-Peter Mertens, who is already chairman of the Stürtz Group.

During his tenure, Michael Müller has left his mark on the ranges developed by Bavaria. He contributed to the creation of the C-Line for sailing yachts and the SR-Line for motor yachts, two series that have been well received by the market. Although he is stepping down from his executive duties, he will continue to support the management team as an advisor, ensuring continuity in strategic decisions.

The shipyard will now be run by Norbert Leifeld and Thorsten Gatz. Thorsten Gatz has been Chief Financial Officer since 2022 and will remain in charge of Bavaria Yachts' financial and budgetary affairs.

The advisory board, through Kai Brandes, praised Michael Müller's work, recalling the complexity of recent years: between the health crisis, supply chain tensions and market fluctuations, the shipyard has had to face many challenges. Kai Brandes also emphasised the relevance of Norbert Leifeld's appointment: ‘He knows Bavaria inside out and has successfully led structural projects that are recognised by both internal teams and our partners.’

With this change in management, Bavaria Yachts intends to continue its efforts to adapt. The company relies in particular on a flexible industrial model, implemented two years ago, which is capable of adjusting to variations in demand. This ‘breathing’ production allows the shipyard to better manage market cycles, particularly in an economic context marked by uncertainty.

The German shipyard is also working on developing its offering. The current range, which includes sailboats and motorboats of various sizes, is expected to be expanded soon with models featuring electric motors. This move is aimed at attracting new customer profiles who are sensitive to environmental issues and technological innovation.

At the same time, Bavaria Yachts is focusing on building loyalty and developing its community. The ‘Bavaria Family’, which brings together current and future owners, will benefit from enhanced support: a redesigned customer journey, an expanded network of service centres, diversified after-sales services and a wider range of training courses. All these initiatives are designed to strengthen the relationship between the shipyard and its customers, well beyond the act of purchase.

Bavaria's roadmap is based on a long-term vision that combines consolidation of the existing business with openness to new opportunities. The arrival of Norbert Leifeld as CEO is part of this dynamic. With his dual industrial and strategic experience, he will be responsible for continuing the shipyard's development while responding to changes in the yachting sector.

Bavaria Yachts, headquartered in Germany, retains its position among the major players in the European boating industry. With its C-Line and SR-Line ranges, its upcoming projects in electric propulsion and its efforts to optimise production, the shipyard intends to remain a competitive and agile player in a constantly evolving market.

The coming months will reveal how this new organisation will shape the shipyard's future direction and how the group's new products will be received.