There are simple ways of posting a company’s results rapidly and proving its soundness to investors and clients.

Demonstrate a sound financial position
Since the financial crisis of 2008, yachting activity has left financers rather perplexed: a highly seasonal aspect, significant financial expenses and, for boat builders, lengthy product development with uncertain return on the investment.
People dream about owning a boat, and professionals are increasingly aware of the need to prove their healthy financial position to suppliers, clients, distributors and financers. This involves following a business plan.

The company’s age
New creators are often sidelined and need to prove that their business plan is solid and that their financial partner’s support provides sufficient guarantees by means of a warranty or cash flow allowing for payment in advance. In all cases, keeping a business plan up to date is greatly appreciated and provides a good image of the firm’s ambitions and follow-up of its activity.

The company’s state of health
Generally speaking in the the boating industry, companies pursue three activities: sale of boats, sale of equipment and services. Depending on sales volume, the level of its partners’ expectations will differ significantly.

Equity capital
Equity capital is an accounting concept which incorporates registered share capital, reserves and profits not paid out as dividends, and the net result for the tax year. It serves as a “treasure chest” in the event of rainy days.

Remaining vigilant
In the boating industry, keeping the scoreboard up to date and being capable of anticipating demonstrate a good level of professionalism, reassure partners and clients, and secure its future, even if the figures only provide a photograph at a precise moment in time.

Source: BoatIndustry

Due to declining interest in shows and strikes against pension reform, analysis of the 2019 edition of Le Nautic is a rather delicate task. Nevertheless, here is the most objective view possible.

A delicate economic and social context
After the “Yellow Jackets” in 2018, the Nautic boat show in Paris coincided with massive strikes in 2019, particularly in public transport, against pension reform. This series of events is obviously not favourable to the Parisian gathering for the yachting sector, though it should not eclipse a more general trend in the trade-show industry.

Fewer boats, more space
The aisles of Hall 1, which plays host to sailing boats, became wider. Major brands, such as Lagoon catamarans and the entire Grand-Large Yachting group, decided not to exhibit a single boat. Space dedicated to engine manufacturers was also reduced, while equipment manufacturers occupied an ever-decreasing share of Hall 2.1.

2020, an opportunity for change
Refurbishment scheduled for the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre will oblige the show to change the way it is organized. Will new layout in the different halls enable the show to re-invent itself in order to attract new exhibitors and new visitors? The stakes are high, though certain exhibitors have already announced that they do not want to return next year.

Source: BoatIndustry

On October 2nd, 2019, the “Affaires Maritimes” launched the “Portail Plaisance”: a digital portal designed to simplify procedures, including boat registration, for yachtsmen and boating professionals.

Registration of boats under 7 metres
Initially, the “Portail Plaisance” is only open to those placing pleasure boats on the market, boat builders or dealers. After registering on the website, their accounts are approved by the administration. They can then complete all the registration procedures, autonomously, for boats under 7 metres, by forwarding the digital file. They can obtain the temporary navigation permit directly. The secured, dematerialized circulation card is sent afterwards.

Soon to open to yachtsmen
The “Portail Plaisance” intends to extend its services. On-line registration procedures should be available to yachtsmen for changes in ownership of secondhand boats by the end of 2019. In 2020, the service will gradually extend to changes in ownership for legal persons and co-ownerships.

Source “Filière Nautique”

In acquiring Océans Evasion, the start-up inaugurated in 2013 extends its activities to include plane tickets and hotel accommodation…

On balance, Click&Boat employs 115 people based in Boulogne-Billancourt, Marseille, Miami, and now in Lorient. For 2019, it is targeting sales volume of around 50 million euros, ie. non-public, and therefore approximate, turnover of 5 to 10 million euros.

“Since 2015, we have chalked up annual growth of 100%,” says Mr. Gorioux. “Our goal is still to become the world leader in boat hire and chartering.”

source : www.lemonde.fr

A real showcase for this industrial dynamism, the “Salon Nautique de Paris”, organized by our subsidiary “Nautic Festival SA”, has been committed to promoting the initiatives of companies, large or small, over the past few years.

In 2019, “Le Nautic” has decided to go one step further, and is launching a wide-ranging competition for the first time offering the best regional projects unequalled visibility. 18 ultra-marine regions and territories are involved.

The competition is aimed at companies that pursue innovation in nautical practices on the sea, rivers or lakes. Three criteria will be decisive. The projects presented must :

• Participate in the sector’s shared ecological transition
• Facilitate access to boating activities
• Be part of an entrepreneurial process.

Whether they consist of “products” or  “services”, the innovations presented can be incremental, ie.  demonstrate continuity with existing products or services, or at the cutting edge of technology, by offering radical new features.

Finalists’ products and services will be displayed in a specially dedicated area in Hall 1 from December 7th to 15th, 2019, on the occasion of the 59th edition of the “Salon Nautique de Paris”. The grand final is scheduled for Innovation Day, on Saturday, December 14th.

Project leaders have until September 30th, 2019, to apply by contacting a regional referee. The various regional referees will join up as the regional jury and forward the best projects to Le Nautic by October 11th at latest.

Full details on the Nautic website

On June 28th, UPACA was present on the isle of Les Embiez for Biodiversea Day. This event organized by the port brought together many volunteers including a good number of sailing enthusiasts. It allowed them to undertake activities to clean up the island in the morning, and attend a lecture on marine biodiversity and environmentally friendly activities set up on the island and in the harbour. In connection with which, UPACA presented sailing enthusiasts with Clean Harbours Active in Biodiversity certification, recently obtained by the Saint-Pierre des Embiez harbour.