Boatyard News: Beneteau is discontinuing the Four Winns, Glastron and Scarab Jet brands

Groupe Beneteau is responding to the ongoing decline in demand in the US market with a radical move. The factory in Cadillac, Michigan, will close in the third quarter of 2026. At the same time, the French boatbuilder is seeking a buyer for the production facility and the brands manufactured there: Four Winns, Glastron and Scarab Jet. The decision affects one of the group’s 16 production sites. According to the shipyard, the supply of spare parts and customer service will continue until the sale is finalised.

Structural market weakness as the main reason

The group cites two factors as the reason for this move. Firstly, the bowrider and jetboat segments, in which Four Winns and Scarab operate, have been shrinking for years. Secondly, the Middle East conflict, which began in March 2026, has significantly exacerbated consumer reluctance to spend in these already weak market segments.

Ongoing losses despite investment

Despite continued investment, the Cadillac plant failed to meet its production targets in 2026. In the financial years 2024 and 2025, the operating losses of the three American brands totalled around 30 million euros. In 2025, the brands in question generated less than five per cent of the Group’s turnover. Groupe Beneteau achieved a total turnover of around 850 million euros in the 2025 financial year.

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Beneteau is focusing on seven core brands

With this closure, Beneteau intends to focus its resources on its remaining seven brands. These include Beneteau, Jeanneau, Prestige, Excess, Lagoon, Wellcraft and Delphia. In future, these brands will be solely responsible for serving the sales network in Europe, the Americas and Asia. Yannick Madiot, Managing Director of the Dayboating division, highlighted the achievements of the staff at Cadillac and announced support for the workforce, according to the press release.

Despite the closure of the factory, the group is sticking to its product strategy. In 2026, Beneteau will launch 24 new models, following 23 new launches the previous year. Retail sales rose in the first quarter of 2026. The order book for the current year had grown by just under ten per cent at constant exchange rates by the end of April. According to the shipyard, these figures confirm its focus on innovation and product development.

Adaptation to the geopolitical situation

Bruno Thivoyon, Chairman of the Board of Groupe Beneteau, highlighted the impact of the geopolitical situation, which is beyond the company’s control. The group is adapting its cost structure to the changed market conditions. At the same time, it aims to maintain its capacity to invest and to support its employees responsibly. Thivoyon cited the company’s 140-year history as the foundation for overcoming the current challenges.

About the Beneteau Group

Benjamin Bénéteau founded the company 140 years ago in the Vendée region of France. Today, the Beneteau Group is one of the leading manufacturers in the global boating industry. The group operates 16 production sites and employs 6,200 people, mainly in France, the USA, Poland, Italy, Portugal and Tunisia. The Boats division comprises nine brands with more than 135 models of sailing and motor boats, including both monohull and catamaran variants. The Boating Solutions division offers day and weekly charters, marinas, digital services and financing.