FOUNTAINE PAJOT REVEALS EXCELLENT 2008 RESULTS

December 03, 2008 11:00 by Sharp Communication - Marine PR | 0 comments

Fountaine Pajot – the world’s most experienced builder of cruising catamarans – has just revealed its 2008 results and it looks like the multihull builder could give Gordon Brown a lesson or two about prudence and sustainable development.

Fountaine Pajot – the world’s most experienced builder of cruising catamarans – has just revealed its 2008 results and it looks like the multihull builder could give Gordon Brown a lesson or two about prudence and sustainable development.

“The 2008 results are a real bonus for the worldwide dealer network,” says Carl Livett, MD of M.i.Cats, the UK’s sole Fountaine Pajot dealer. “The marine market has been hit with some high-profile collapses recently, and to know that we have developed a very strong trading position goes a long way to maintaining both customer and network confidence.”

Turnover for fiscal 2007-08 reached €52.5 million up almost 24% from 2006-07. Equity for the same period rose to a healthy €15.9 million, a gain of almost 19% on the previous 12 months. The annual employee profit-sharing fund also rose to €955,000.

Fountaine Pajot’s success is attributed partly to its totally rejuvenated fleet, including the most recent additions, the Orana 44 and Salina 48 sailing cats, both of which are now available in an owner’s version which incorporates a luxurious suite in one hull. Sales success has also coincided with further improvements with the fleet’s sailing performance, with the option of Fountaine Pajot’s new CST (Cruising Square Top) sail design, from specialist sail-maker, Incidences.

2008 also marked the 10th anniversary of the company’s Trawler range of boats. Fountaine Pajot’s range of cruising motor catamarans deliver 40% better fuel-consumption, increased range, stability and interior space than comparable monohull motor yachts.

At the top of the sailing range, established naval architects Beret & Racoupeau have combined with the prodigious talents of Jean Jacques Coste to develop the Galathea 65, due to take to the water in 2009. Jean Jacques Coste is the designer behind the so-called ‘Class-Beyond-First-Class’ suites on Singapore Airlines’ new Airbus A380s, he’s also created some seriously sybaritic private yachts.

Fountaine Pajot will christen two new models in their Trawler range in 2009, the Summerland 40 and the much-anticipated Queensland 55. The interior of the latter has also had the Jean Jacques Coste treatment, ensuring that this capable blue-water cruiser is steeped with superyacht atmosphere. The Summerland 40 will be manufactured at a new 2,000m2 production facility that was recently completed at the company’s headquarters in Aigrefeuille near La Rochelle.

To catch up with Fountaine Pajot visit Carl, Karen or Paul at M.i.Cats’ new stand at the London Boat Show (held at ExCeL from 9th -18th January 2009). They will be located opposite the Guinness Bar in the North Hall on stand N7D, a haven from the cold and wet outside in the Royal Victoria Dock.