Business news : Bénéteau: Boat sales moves forward, Housing sales backward

2012-13 full-year revenues:business developing in line with forecasts for the year 

-  Boats: 28% sales growth achieved outside of Europe, supported by the global deployment of the range and the acceleration on pow er yachts

 - Leisure homes: market shares maintained in France a nd international business doubled

In the Boat business, thanks to 28% growth outside of E urope, the Group is more than offsetting the effects of a difficult economic environmen t in Europe

Full-year revenues for the Boat branch came to €624.1 million in 2012-13, includin g €184 million for the fourth quarter, up 2.3% on the previous year.

The acceleration of the Group's development in mark ets outside of Europe and on large power yachts, in line with the strategy launched in 2010, is maki ng it possible as of 2013 to offset the European bo at market’s difficulties linked to the general economi c climate. In this way, for the second year running , the Group's sales outside of Europe show a signific ant increase, climbing 28% compared with the previous year to reach €232 million for FY 2012-13.

In North America, the world's largest market, the G roup has continued to make progress on the motorboat market, while further strengthening its l eading position on sailboats. Over the year, its business increased by 47% compared with 2011-12.

On the new markets in Asia and South America, which are confirming their status as structurally growing regions for pleasure cruising, business is up 26%.

Lastly, on the European market, faced with a signif icant contraction and major regional differences, t he Group has successfully consolidated its market shar es, limiting the downturn in its business to only 10%.

The Group is looking ahead to the first shows of th e 2014 season with confidence, offering a wider selection of boats through its six brands, on both sailboats and motorboats, including the Oceanis 38 presented by Bénéteau. This innovative yacht offers adjustable internal layouts, which can be adapted for three navigation programs. The new boat season is also being inaugurated with other creations: on sailboats, the CNB 76; on motorboats, Jeanneau's Le ader 38, the MCY 86, the new flagship from Monte Carlo Yachts, as well as the new power catama ran, the Lagoon 620 Motor Yacht.

In view of the trends and outlooks for the various regions, the 2014 season is expected to be the firs t year of growth for the global boat market in five y ears.

International business doubling, supporting leisure homes

The Housing business generated €190.9 million in revenues for F Y 2012-13 (-13.7%), including €33.2 million for the fourth quarter (-8.3%). For leisure homes , the O’Hara and IRM brands have maintained their market shares on a segment that ha s been marked by a significant decline in France. They have also achieved strong growth international ly, with their sales virtually doubling to €24.5 million at the end of August 2013, compared with €1 3.1 million in 2011-12.

The residential housing business recorded €19.8 million in full-year reven ues, compared with €13.0 million for 2011-12, notably reflecting the Group's outstanding success on the market for residences for students and young workers.

Next date: - 2012-13 full-year earnings: November 7th, 2013 (aft er close of trading)

About the BENETEAU Group

As the world's number one yacht builder - both mono and multi-hull - the Beneteau Group has continued to make progress on the motorboat market, and is now one of the world's leading players.

On both sail and motorboats, the BENETEAU , JEANNEAU , LAGOON and PRESTIGE brands are able to offer more than 100 models rangi ng from 20 to 60 feet. The Group has one of the most prestigious names for the custo m construction of luxury yachts: CNB . It is expanding its range in the segment for moto rboats over 15 meters with Prestige Yachts and Monte Carlo Yachts .

The Group is also a leading player on the European leisure home market , with its O'HARA and IRM brands, and is developing its business on the marke t for high environmental performance residential housing . With the design and manufacturing of wooden-frame houses , it aims to make quality homes that are affordable and compliant with sustainable development standards .

Source press release