Could it be that Sunseeker is to be sold again? This time to the Chinese?
A Financial Times report has suggested that Sunseeker might be bought for around £300m and that the deal would be completed by the end of June, subject to approval of the appropriate regulators.
The FT also quoted Wang Jianlin, chairman and founder of Dalian Wanda, saying: “We bought the best yacht company in the UK.” However he did not indicate the deal involved Sunseeker by name.
Stuart McIntyre Managing Director of Sunseeker has declined to comment when questioned by IBI on reports that the possible purchaser is the Chinese group Dalian Wanda.
McIntyre had earlier told IBI a few weeks ago that the Dalian Wanda Group was buying into Sunseeker China, one of the two Chinese mainland distributors of Sunseekers. He told IBI that these talks might draw other potential buyers, and said: “We will not be talking with anyone else.”
Earlier this morning Sunseeker found the need to issue a statement confirming
Sunseeker is in discussions with a third party over the sale of a majority stake in the business It added: “Sunseeker will remain a British company, headquartered in Poole, Dorset and will maintain its existing primary production bases in the UK, along with its current workforce and infrastructure.
The statement went on to say “The existing management team and representatives of FL Partners will remain on the Sunseeker Boards and founder Robert Braithwaite will continue to be
involved in the business and remain as group president.”
It also added that: “Robert and Sunseeker’s management team will make a significant reinvestment in the business, providing continuity and a strong platform for the new model programme currently being developed in Poole.”