The Wichard Group has acquired Axxon Composites, manufacturer of composite masts, booms and rigging.
This acquisition marks a further step in the Wichard Group’s growth strategy and complements the Lorima brand which has been owned by the Wichard Group since 2019. The Wichard Group says it will now be able to address all market segments with Lorima able to strengthen its presence in the mega-yacht, ocean racing and cruising catamaran segments above 65/70ft.
Axxon Composites will consolidate its position in the cruising and racing sailboat segment below 60ft.
This new acquisition will also complete the product offering – aluminium masts and booms – represented by the Sparcraft brand and will help strengthen the Wichard Group’s global production capacities, with the aim of improving customer service and fostering industrial and commercial synergies.
The news follows on from the recent acquisition of Australian equipment manufacturer Ronstan and means the Wichard Group now represents annual sales of 110 million euros and 650 employees.
“This acquisition enables us to offer our customers a wide range of carbon masts,” said Jean-Claude Ibos, chairman Wichard Group.
“At the end of 2023, we will be finalising the constitution of a coherent, high-quality industrial offer, which will enable us to position ourselves widely in the deck equipment market for sailing boats, but also in the industrial world, whenever safety and performance are required.”
Technological mastery
Axxon was founded by Eric Duchemin, a world-renowned expert in carbon mast manufacturing with more than 30 years’ experience, Philippe Boclet, a composite manufacturer with over 25 years’ experience in Romania, and Marius Tolbas, the company’s operational director.
“Starting from a blank sheet of paper in 2010, Axxon has become the leader in the OEM market for carbon masts between 35ft and 80ft in Europe, thanks to the know-how and technological mastery combined with the skill and enthusiasm of its people, who are the company’s primary strength. Axxon will complement Lorima, which operates in the market for larger masts for ocean racing and merchant marine,” said Philippe Boclet
The Wichard Group owns the brands Wichard, Ronstan, Profurl, Sparcraft, Facnor, Lorima, Peguet / Maillon Rapide and Courant. The Group is owned by the French private equity firm Azulis in association with part of the management.
