A purchase of French sailboat builder Dufour by German boatbuilder Bavaria could be a positive move for the brand, Erik Macklin, distribution manager for North America for Dufour, told Soundings Trade Only.
According to media reports, Bavaria is in talks to buy Dufour and Italy’s Cantiere del Pardo, builder of Grand Soleil sailboats.
“From what I understand there is quite a bit of work to be done, but both companies believe that it could be a good fit,” Macklin said. “It would provide some additional resources for Dufour and probably some economy of scale and some efficiencies in production, as well.”
Macklin said he works with about 10 Dufour dealers in the United States and Canada.
“We’re planning to be a player in the U.S. for sure, and things are definitely on track for that,” he said. “If it happens with Bavaria we’ll be stronger.”
