Groupe Beneteau announces the acquisition of Sailing Atlantic Services
Groupe Beneteau has announced the acquisition of Sailing Atlantic Services (SAS), a company based in Les Sables d’Olonne, Vendée, and a long-standing partner of the Group for 25 years. The transaction is part of a strategy aimed at strengthening service activities, with a direct presence in an area considered central to the production and commissioning of units built in Vendée.
Founded in 2000, Sailing Atlantic Services employs 11 people and generated revenue of €1.8 million in 2025. The company specializes in the installation of navigation and safety equipment, boat customization, maintenance and storage. Each year it prepares between 130 and 150 boats, mainly for charter fleets operating in France and internationally, contributing to positioning Les Sables d’Olonne as a strategic hub for the commissioning of Lagoon and Excess catamarans manufactured by the Group.
Following its integration into Groupe Beneteau, Sailing Atlantic Services will retain its regional roots and existing governance under the leadership of CEO Denis Fauvet.
Bruno Thivoyon, Chairman of the Group’s Executive Board, underlined that the acquisition forms part of the objective to build an increasingly comprehensive service offering, leveraging recognized expertise and strong regional identity. According to Denis Fauvet, the transaction represents the natural progression of a long-standing partnership built on trust and will enable the expansion of services offered to customers.
€3.3 million investment for the new Port Olona 3 hub
In parallel with the acquisition, Groupe Beneteau has confirmed an investment in Les Sables d’Olonne for the development of a nautical service center in the Port Olona 3 area, as part of the port’s expansion.
The project involves an initial investment of €3.3 million, potentially rising to €4.5 million with the exercise of options. The Group has committed to signing a preliminary sales agreement for a 7,000 m² plot in a firm tranche, with an additional optional 5,000 m² to be exercised within five years. The building permit application is scheduled for September 2026, with commissioning of the facility targeted for December 2027.
The new structure will be designed to accommodate Lagoon and Excess multihulls as well as Prestige units manufactured in Vendée, with the aim of increasing commissioning capacity from approximately 120 units currently to 300 per year. In addition to commissioning activities, the site will enhance the Group’s boat customization and personalization capabilities.
Technical specifications for the project include environmental requirements such as photovoltaic panels, a green roof, optimized land use to limit soil sealing, architecture focused on marine life protection, and compliance with ART 2020 standards.
Continuity in the Group’s service strategy
The transaction follows the integration of BMS in October 2025 in Canet-en-Roussillon, southern France, and confirms the intention to structure service activities at sites with direct water access.
Les Sables d’Olonne is described by management as a key location for the Group in Vendée. With the new hub at Port Olona 3, the investment aims to bring the shipyard closer to its customers and improve service quality throughout the delivery and commissioning process.
Founded 140 years ago in Vendée by Benjamin Bénéteau, Groupe Beneteau now operates 16 production sites worldwide, a global sales network, reported 2025 revenue of €850 million and employs more than 6,400 people. Through nine brands, its Boating division offers more than 135 sailing and motor models, monohulls and multihulls, while the Boating Solutions division operates in charter services, marina management, digital services and financing.
