Private equity company AMAVI Capital has launched Fantasi Marinas through the acquisitions of Fantasi Marina and Västkustvarven along Sweden’s West Coast archipelago.
The company says the investment combines operational marina businesses with strategically located waterfront real estate, creates a strong foundation for long-term value creation.
The launch marks the start of AMAVI’s ambition to create the leading marina platform in the Nordics through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions.
Fragmented market
AMAVI points out that the Nordic marina market remains fragmented, with many marinas being owned and operated by local entrepreneurs and families.
While the businesses often benefit from loyal customer relationships, attractive locations and stable recurring revenues, many owners are approaching retirement, creating a growing need for succession solutions and long-term capital.
And the investment company also believes that the market benefits from favourable structural characteristics, with a limited supply of waterfront property with new permissions for marina developments increasingly challenging.
With a large proportion of Nordic marinas revenue derived from maintenance, repairs, winter storage and other aftermarket services, AMAVI says the broader service offering provides attractive opportunities to increase customer stickiness and margins through value-added services.
Expanding capacity
AMAVI will invest in Fantasi Marina and Västkustvarven to expand berth capacity and increase the utilisation of existing infrastructure.
In addition AMAVI will increase the use of digital solutions that improve both customer experience and operational efficiency.
Local management teams will remain in place to retain customer relationships.
The acquisitions are the start of Fantasi Marinas plans as a platform.
Alongside the founding acquisitions, the company is planning further acquisitions and opprotunities across Sweden and the broader Nordic region.
