Dieter Gust, co-founder of Construction Navale Bordeaux (CNB) and chief executive officer of Groupe Beneteau’s Boat Division, has died after a ten-year battle with illness.
Dieter founded CNB alongside Olivier Lafourcade in 1987, joining Group Beneteau, where he first served as CEO of CNB and later as CEO of the Group’s Boat Division until 2019.
In a tribute, Group Beneteau said Dieter was ‘a great sailor, visionary entrepreneur and hands-on leader, he was one of the notable figures in the boating world’.
And the shipyard added that through his industrial vision, market knowledge and strong development mindset, he helped bring emblematic projects to life and supported the sustainable growth of several of the Group’s key businesses.
Spirit of innovation
Dieter was born in Germany and began his sporting career as goalkeeper for the German Olympic team, before becoming a professional football player.
He switched sports to became a ski and windsurfing instructor in the south of France before fully dedicating himself to the sea.
With his experience as a sailor, as a welder in a large sailing yacht shipyard, skipper of large yachts and pioneer of crewed charter, he then founded CNB, a company dedicated to the construction of large aluminum sailing yachts.
With the construction of Mariccha II, the company gained widespread recognition for its excellence and spirit of innovation.
Dieter went on to play a decisive role in the development of Lagoon multihulls, helping to imagine boats that left a lasting mark on their era.
Far more than a vision
“Today, CNB has lost its founder. Dieter profoundly shaped our history and passed on far more than a vision of shipbuilding: a passion, high standards, and trust in the women and men who bring this shipyard to life every day.
“We owe him a great deal and will continue to keep his spirit alive within CNB,” said Clément Himily, chief executive officer, Sailing Business Unit.
“On behalf of Group Beneteau, we respectfully and gratefully honour the memory of Dieter Gust and all that he brought to our Group,” added Bruno Thivoyon, chairman of the management board, Group Beneteau.
