Three months after the company was sold to British based Star Capital Partners, German yacht builders Blohm & Voss chose the RAC club in London’s Pall Mall to outline its strategy for the future
Dr Herbert Aly Managing Director told an assembled audience of top brokers, designers and project managers that the choosing of London for such an occasion had nothing to do with the new owners being British based. Instead he insisted it was because London is where deal makers are based.
Openly admitting that the previous owners Thyseenkrupp had lost all appetite for building superyachts he introduced the Founding Partner of Star Capital Tony Mallin who he described as the company’s saviour. Mallin agreed saying that the previous owners had done its best to destroy the brand but conceded it was the enthusiasm shown by staff at the shipyard that had convinced him that the Blohm & Voss brand was worth saving.
“We have now capitalized the business to give it the security it needs to survive. Behind the scenes there is already a great deal of activity and it all points to the fact that Blohm and Voss are not only back in the market place but are open for business.
“I bought this yard because of its globally acclaimed quality brand and because it was going cheap. By supporting the brand and giving it stability we as owners can only help it improve until it’s time for new owners to take it on.
“How long that will be is a difficult question to answer. Ten years if you want, I do not mind. What you have here is a clear demonstration of my own personal commitment because my own capital is invested here.
“I have never bought a brand name before and turned it around but that is what I am going to do here
“He confirmed that an 80 + metre yacht was under construction and that the owners of another yacht of around 130 metres were in active and meaningful discussions with the yard.