Groupe Beneteau

The CEO for North American operations retires from the company.

Groupe Beneteau’s partnership with digital manufacturer PTC will help the boatbuilder become more efficient, while using augmented reality to personalize new boats.

“With our strong managers, we’ll now have a new strong direction where everyone is working together,” Jérôme de Metz said.

Groupe Board Chairman Jérôme de Metz will replace Hervé Gastinel.

The builder will focus on large multihull construction at the Bordeaux shipyard and move production of its sailing superyachts to its Montecarlo facility in Italy.

The company said growth came from robust sales of its European brands in the U.S. market as well as sailboat fleet sales.

Yannick Madiot, who previously worked for Beneteau USA until 2010, will supervise support activities in the U.S. division.

A new kind of cargo-sailing ship could be transporting its boats from Europe to the U.S. as early as 2021.

Still in the concept phase, the first version is a prototype.

The French conglomerate launched 38 new models last year.

The FLIR division has partnered with Prestige Yachts to demonstrate its DockSense assisted-docking system.

Delphia was founded in 1990 and employs 670 workers.

Erwin Bamps will try to grow Prestige’s presence in the Middle East and Asia.

Herve Gastinel’s keynote at Metstrade includes a comprehensive vision for manufacturing, services and new-product development.

Monte Carlo Yachts fires Carla Demaria.

The French giant plans to continue an aggressive new-product development schedule, as well as build European brands in the United States.

The company’s marine sales were up 6.7 percent for the year.