Cruising guides and nautical charts: Imray and Freytag & Berndt go together

Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson, or Imray for short, is one of the big names in the field of nautical literature. In addition to nautical charts, the British company specialises in cruising guides, which are often among the best on the market. Now the merger with the Austrian-based publishing house Freytag & Berndt, which is primarily known for its outdoor maps, is taking place

The new company, which will be established under the joint name FB Imray, will be based in Vienna. The extensive range of products, including many standard works of English literature, will be continued and further developed. The new organisation will be launched in the summer. The focus will also be on additional digital products in the nautical field.

Securing the future of Imray

According to the British company, the move is intended to "secure the future of Imray's nautical charts and publications while opening the door to new development and growth opportunities," says Managing Director Lucy Williams. "Our commitment to providing sailors with trusted, high quality navigational resources remains at the heart of what we do"

"With this joint venture with Imray, we are taking a big step towards becoming an internationally active publisher. By continuing and further developing the portfolio and tapping into digital opportunities, we are creating innovative solutions for nautical professionals," says FB Managing Director Carl Rauch. "At the same time, licensing our data to third-party providers and foreign-language publishers opens up new markets and growth potential for us."

Two traditional companies

Freytag & Berndt is a traditional Austrian company that can trace its roots back to 1770. The publishing house is the leading provider in Austria in the field of cartography and specialises in road maps, city maps as well as hiking, cycling and leisure maps. The company is based in Vienna.

Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson Ltd was founded in 1904 through the merger of three nautical chart publishers. The company publishes both electronic and printed nautical charts, high-quality manuals and guidebooks written by renowned sailing authors and clubs, as well as nautical information via apps.