Beneteau halts production in Michigan and puts Four Winns, Glastron and Scarab Jet up for sale

Groupe Beneteau has announced a selective reorganisation of its operations in the United States, including the shutdown of production at its Cadillac, Michigan facility during the third quarter of 2026 and the subsequent divestiture of the site together with the Four Winns, Glastron and Scarab Jet brands. According to the French group, the decision is linked both to the structural weakness of the bowrider and jet boat segments and to the deterioration of the geopolitical environment following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in March 2026, factors that have reportedly accelerated the slowdown in demand within sectors that had already been under pressure for several years.

Beneteau specified that the search for potential buyers for both the production facility and the three brands is already underway. In the meantime, after-sales service and spare parts supply will continue to ensure operational continuity for customers and the dealer network. Despite the investments made in recent years, activity levels at the American facility have remained below recovery expectations. During fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the US brands recorded cumulative operating losses of approximately €30 million. The activities concerned represented less than 5% of Groupe Beneteau’s revenue in 2025. The Group therefore underlined that this decision does not alter its industrial ambitions in the American market, but is instead intended to focus resources and investments on the seven brands considered strategic: Beneteau, Jeanneau, Prestige, Excess, Lagoon, Wellcraft and Delphia.

At the same time, the Group continues its cost adaptation plan while maintaining investments in product development. A total of 24 new models are scheduled for launch in 2026, following the 23 introduced in 2025. Beneteau also highlighted growth in retail sales during the first quarter and an increase of close to 10%, at constant exchange rates, in the 2026 order book at the end of April.

The fact that Beneteau has decided to focus its resources on brands considered more strategic and with higher margins also confirms a trend already visible over recent quarters: in a less predictable demand environment, large groups increasingly tend to prioritise premium ranges, consolidated dealer networks and products with higher added value.

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