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Sunseeker sold to Chinese

 

Stewart Campbell

Majority stake in iconic British boatbuilder sold to Chinese property and hotel group

Sunseeker is well positioned to take advantage of an expected explosion of boating interest in Asia after being bought by Chinese firm Dalian Wanda Group in a deal worth £320 million.

 

The Chinese company, which has interests in commercial property, tourism, karaoke bars and hotels, will take a 91.81% shareholding in the UKs biggest boatbuilder, with management taking 8.19%.

 

The deal is set to close by mid-August, and is part of a big investment in the UK by the Chinese company, which includes a real estate development in London and the building of a five-star hotel.

 

After news of the buyout leaked in June, Sunseeker moved quickly to ease concerns about the company being moved offshore.

 

This was confirmed in the official statement from Dalian Wanda, which said that Sunseeker would remain headquartered in Poole on the South Coast, and maintain its British production bases and workforce.

 

Dalian Wandas chairman, Wang Jianlin, who owns a Predator 108, said: With the committed support of Wanda, Sunseeker is well placed to take full advantage of opportunities in China, one of the worlds fastest growing luxury yacht markets. We are confident this will bring Sunseekers business to the next level. Robert Braithwaite, the companys founder, will continue to be involved in the management of the business, the statement said.

 

Stewart McIntyre, MD of Sunseeker, said: Combined with Wandas outstanding track record of entrepreneurship and history of commitment to supporting leading global brands, this investment will provide an excellent foundation for Sunseekers next phase of growth.

 

That growth is widely anticipated to be driven by the burgeoning demand for luxury goods in China. A recent report from Chinas Cruise & Yacht Industry Association predicts the number of leisure boats in China to jump from around 3,000 currently to 100,000 by 2020. For more on this story, turn to p14.

 

TIMELINE OF SUNSEEKER

 

1962 Poole Powerboats formed as importer of Scandinavian and US sportsboats by Idris Braithwaite and John Macklin

 

1969 Company starts moulding its first boat, the Sovereign 17

 

1976 The Sports 23 and Daycab 23 are the first boats to be prefixed with Sunseeker

 

2000 Sunseeker builds first 100-footer, the 105 Yacht

 

2008 Company loses £9.1 million in financial year to July 09

 

2009 Sunseeker posts record turnover of £304.5 million, before 9.5% drop in 2010/11

 

2010 Company sells controlling stake to Dublin-based FL Partners

 

2012 Plans revealed for largest ever Sunseeker, the 155 Yacht

 

2013 Sunseeker bought by Dalian Wanda Group

[Sydvesten]

Dette blir nok sett på som en ren investering, og om Dalian Wanda har til hensikt å utvikle selskapet er vel ikke lett på mene noe om .. De er store innenfor kino drift og eiendom, hoteller.. men kan ikke se at de store innen lystbåt segmentet... men en gang må en jo starte.. men dette er neppe de siste selskapet som kineserne kjøper opp i den vestlige verden

Redigert 5.Juli.2013 av Sydvesten (see edit history)