Bavaria Yachts appoints new CEO
Norbert Leifeld (left) assumes the role of CEO, succeeding Michael Müller.
German shipyard Bavaria Yachts has confirmed a shake-up in its management team. Effective immediately, Norbert Leifeld assumes the role of CEO, succeeding Michael Müller.
Leifeld has served as COO since 2023 and previously spent 15 years working as a consultant specialising in product strategy, development and production at a German shipyard.
Within Bavaria Holding, he also holds the position of President de la Societe at the French catamaran manufacturer Nautitech. Thorsten Gatz continues to oversee the company’s finances, a responsibility he has held since 2022.
Müller has been CEO of Bavaria Yachts since 2019. His tenure included involvement in the development of the C-Line sailing yachts and the SR-Line motorboats. From 1 July, he will join the advisory board of Bavaria Yachtbau Holding, which Kai Brandes of CMP chairs. He will remain available to the company in an advisory capacity.
Additionally, Dr Hans-Peter Mertens, who chairs the Stürtz Group among other roles, has also been appointed to the advisory board.
“On behalf of the advisory board of Bavaria Yachts Holding and the entire workforce, I would like to express my thanks and deep respect to Michael Müller for his work as CEO of Bavaria,” says Brandes, chairman of the advisory board of Bavaria Yachts and managing partner of the Berlin-based investor CMP. “The challenges of recent years – be it the pandemic, supply chain problems or the coronavirus hype – have always been very demanding. Bavaria has mastered them all. I am delighted that he will continue to support us as a member of the board.”
Brandes adds: “At the same time, I am delighted that we have been able to appoint Norbert Leifeld as our new CEO. We have been working successfully with him for over seven years. During this time, Norbert Leifeld has successfully managed numerous important projects for Bavaria Yachts to the great appreciation of employees, management, suppliers and our dealers. No one knows Bavaria Yachts and the yacht industry from different perspectives as well as he does.”
Bavaria Yachts says it has implemented a flexible production system intended to help the company respond to fluctuations in market demand. This approach was introduced two years ago in anticipation of potential economic slowdowns.
