Beneteau: 25 Fastest Growing Companies in South Carolina

Beneteau was honored at a luncheon acknowledging Beneteau as one of the 25 fastest growing companies in South Carolina.

“This nomination is of course a great honor, but also an incredible reward for our team,” said Gérard Martineau, VP of Operations at Beneteau Inc. and manager of the Marion‐based plant. “It is the proof of our resilience and the unfailing loyalty of our employees. We remain very proud of our 30‐year tradition of boat building in the US. Despite several years of economic turmoil, we’re now seeing positive signs again in the recreational boating industry, and optimistically look forward to the growth ahead.”

To be eligible for consideration, companies were required to:

•  Be headquartered in South Carolina.

•  Have been in operation for at least three full fiscal years.

•  Have reported revenues of at least $3 million ($50 million in assets for financial institutions) in the most recent reported year. Company rankings were based on the three most recently completed fiscal years at the time of nomination.

Nominees were judged on financial growth and employee growth over the three‐year period 2009, 2010 and 2011. “For its 11th edition, our competition recognized the achievements of top‐performing private and publicly‐owned companies that have contributed to South Carolina’s economy through exceptional increases in revenues and employment, “said Cristina Schleifer of Capital Corporation. “We had once again a very strong field – and with many new entrants, which is a testament to the vitality and growth of the South Carolina economy.”

Nominees submitted financial information to Scott and Company, which verified the information and delivered the rankings of the top 25 fastest growing companies in South Carolina.

“We were very impressed with the steady financial growth of all the participating companies and are encouraged by their continued growth and success,” said Don Mobley, managing member of Scott and Company.

Members of the sponsoring organizations made site visits to the nominees to meet with company executives and view the facilities and offices.

“I was astounded to see so many companies have reinvented themselves to weather the economic downturn and have come out of it stronger than ever,” said Lori Coon, publisher of Columbia Business Monthly and Greenville Business Magazine.

About Beneteau

Beneteau Inc. is the US holding company of French boat builder Beneteau Group.

Beneteau is known worldwide for its sleek design, quality construction and innovation in the manufacturing of seaworthy sailing and power yachts. The Beneteau story began more than 120 years ago when Benjamin Bénéteau started building fishing trawlers in Saint‐Gilles‐Croix‐de‐Vie, France. Today, the company continues to thrive under the leadership of Benjamin Bénéteau’s granddaughter, Madame Annette Beneteau‐Roux. The Group has grown to twenty manufacturing facilities in Marion, South Carolina, as well as in France, Italy, Poland, and Brazil.

As the world’s largest sailboat and powerboat builder, Beneteau Group offers some of the strongest brands in the recreational boating industry: MONTE CARLO YACHTS, BENETEAU, JEANNEAU, LAGOON and PRESTIGE with more than 100 models ranging from 20 to 60 feet. On a global scale, the Group also carries the brands CNB, which specializes in the custom construction of luxury yachts, and Monte Carlo Yachts with concentration on high‐end motoryachts over 15 meters.