The French yacht builder Couach is rising out of a period of multiple challenges. Still based in Gujan-Mestras, it has new management, a yacht in build, and new designs.
Recent years haven’t been easy for the shipyard. In 2009, it struggled to pay creditors. Two years later, the French industrial company Groupe Vial, headed by Fabrice Vial, acquired it. The builder name officially became Chantier Naval Couach, though most people still referred to it simply as Couach. Tragedy struck that same year, though, when an apparent sniper shot and killed Vial aboard a yacht in Corsica. The case remains unsolved to this day. Groupe Vial sold its interests in the yard to Nepteam, another French industrial company, a few months later.
Despite this upheaval, the builder’s early history is strong. Guy (pronounced “gee”) Couach established the shipyard, simple named Guy Couach, in 1962, focusing on fiberglass. He created it out of the family business, focused on marine engines since the late 1800s. In 1970, the builder constructed the world’s first yacht to employ Aramat. Aramat is a composite material derived from Kevlar, saving weight and boosting strength. The shipyard also constructed French patrol boats and naval vessels the same way, gaining business from other military, too. From then onward, Guy Couach built every one of its projects with Aramat. When Guy himself stepped down in 1986, his son Pierre took over, adding megayachts to the offerings a decade later. By that point, estimates hold that the builder had delivered between 200 and 300 yachts and military ships.
While Nepteam remains involved, Couach now counts Walter Ceglia (at top, right) as its CEO. He has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive, energy, and electronics sectors, on four continents, too. “Yachting is a personal passion of mine,” he says. He adds that he was particularly drawn to Couach’s emphasis on designing projects in house. “I look forward to combining my business and analytical skills with my experience in manufacturing at Couach.”
Joining Ceglia is Michel Prezioso (left of Ceglia) as deputy general manager. Prezioso was previously assistant general manager of Couach.
While Couach is completing a 75-foot (23-meter) flying-bridge yacht for delivery this year, it’s promoting new designs, too. Its in-house designers have a 125-foot (38-meter) explorer, seen above. Further details are pending on this as well as four new series, plus individual projects to 164 feet (50 meters).
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