Groupe Beneteau pays tribute to Dieter Gust, CNB founder and key figure in Lagoon's development

Groupe Beneteau has announced the passing of Dieter Gust on Wednesday 8 July, after a ten-year illness. Gust had founded Construction Navale Bordeaux (CNB) in 1987 alongside Olivier Lafourcade.

Born in Germany, Gust was a goalkeeper for the German Olympic team and then a professional footballer, before moving to the south of France as a ski and windsurfing instructor. His path into boating began as a welder in a large sailing yacht shipyard, then as a skipper of large yachts and a pioneer of crewed charter. He founded CNB in 1987, and with the construction of Mariccha II established a yard recognised for its work in large aluminium sailing yachts.

In 1992 he joined Groupe Beneteau, where he served as Chief Executive Officer of CNB and later as Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Beneteau's Boat Division until 2019. Among his principal achievements were the creation of CNB Yacht, dedicated to the construction of large aluminium sailing yachts, and a decisive role in the development of Lagoon multihulls.

"Today, CNB has lost its founder. Dieter profoundly shaped our history and passed on far more than a vision of shipbuilding: a passion, high standards, and trust in the women and men who bring this shipyard to life every day. We owe him a great deal and will continue to keep his spirit alive within CNB," said Clément Himily, Chief Executive Officer of the Sailing Business Unit.

"On behalf of Groupe Beneteau, we respectfully and gratefully honour the memory of Dieter Gust and all that he brought to our Group," said Bruno Thivoyon, Chairman of the Management Board of Groupe Beneteau.

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