Beneteau to close US factory and sell Four Winns, Glastron and Scarab Jet brands

Groupe Beneteau has confirmed it is to halt production at its Michigan facility and divest the Four Winns, Glastron and Scarab Jet brands, following a supervisory board meeting on 11 June 2026, citing market conditions linked to the Middle East conflict.

The company says a slowdown in order intake began after the conflict and was already evident when quarterly revenue figures were published on 4 May 2026. In response, the group introduced measures intended to support operating margins.

Production at the firm’s Cadillac, Michigan facility is due to stop during Q3 2026. Groupe Beneteau also plans to divest the site along with the Four Winns, Glastron and Scarab Jet brands. The process of identifying potential buyers is underway.

More than 230 employees at the Cadillac boat manufacturing plant will be affected. The facility is operated by Rec Boat Holdings (RBH), Groupe Beneteau’s US subsidiary.

The firm, which says the decision affects just one of the group’s 16 production facilities – now focused mainly in Europe – says it has seen continued weakness in the bowrider and jet boat segments, where Four Winns and Scarab operate, with both categories declining over recent years. The issues have been compounded by a worsening geopolitical environment since the start of the Middle East conflict in March 2026, which the company says has increased pressure on those segments.

According to Groupe Beneteau, activity at the US facility remains below anticipated recovery levels despite continued investment. Across fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the affected American brands recorded cumulative operating losses of around €30m.

The activities in question accounted for just under 5 per cent of group revenue in 2025.

Groupe Beneteau says the move does not affect its position in the US market or change expectations for sales growth and improved profitability during the current fiscal year.

“While this difficult decision is rational, we are aware of what it represents for each member of the Cadillac site team. The teams have demonstrated exemplary commitment,” says Yannick Madiot, general manager of the Dayboating Business Unit. “What we owe them today is clarity, respect and support worthy of what they have given the group.”

The group says after-sales support and spare parts supply will continue until the divestiture process is completed so that service remains available for owners and distributors.

“These choices result from a market environment durably affected by a geopolitical context beyond our control. Our responsibility is to act with lucidity and transparency to preserve our group’s capacity to invest, innovate and rebound, while supporting with respect and responsibility each of our employees,” says Bruno Thivoyon, chairman of the executive board of Groupe Beneteau.

“With 140 years of history, Groupe Beneteau has the fundamentals and culture to navigate this period without abandoning what has made its strength throughout its history: innovation, the expertise of our teams and our territorial roots.”

During the AGM, Groupe Beneteau also appointed chief financial officer Nicolas Retailleau to its executive board, where he will serve alongside Thivoyon.