The story
Founding, rise, IPO (1990–2007)
HanseYachts is originated in an old-established shipyard for fishing cutters and other workboats. The today's company was founded in 1990 – after the fall of the Iron Curtain – by Michael Schmidt, the winner of the 1985 Admiral's Cup. At the beginning, Yachtzentrum Greifswald – so the former name of HanseYachts – focused on yacht refit and other services. The first model Hanse 291 (which based on the design of the Aphrodite 291) was launched in 1993. In the years to come, the company successively extended the model range and grew rapidly. In the late 1990s, HanseYachts and the yacht designers Judel/Vrolijk & Co started their still existing collaboration. In 2003, the range comprised eight models up to 53 ft. In 2007, HanseYachts AG went public (General Standard, Frankfurt). Founder Michael Schmidt remained majority shareholder.
Brand acquisitions and powerboat market entry (2006–2009)
For more than a decade, HanseYachts built sailing yachts only. In 2006, the company acquired the majority of Norwegian powerboat manufacturer Fjord Boats AS and started to develop seagoing powerboats. In 2007, the English Moody brand (sailing yachts) was added, and the creation of a new Moody range with decksaloon and aftcockpit models began. Furthermore, HanseYachts bought the remaining shares in Fjord Boats AS and introduced a first new Fjord model (Fjord 40 open). In 2008, the company completed the enlargement of its plant in Greifswald and the construction of a new production facility in Goleniów. In 2009, HanseYachts purchased its German competitor Dehler Yachtbau comprising the Dehler and Varianta brands as well as a production facility located in Freienohl, Germany.
Great Recession, change of ownership and recovery (2008–2016)
During the Great Recession, the boating industry was affected by a slump in global sales. The company's turnover dropped by 57% within one year. A period of high losses began. In 2011, founder Michael Schmidt sold his stake to German Investment holding Aurelius SE, Munich, and left the company. At the end of 2012, HanseYachts closed the Dehler factory in Freienohl and relocated the entire Dehler production to its lamination factory in Goleniów and its main factory in Greifswald. In 2013, HanseYachts parent company Aurelius SE purchased the English Sealine brand (motor yachts) together with plans, moulds, parts lists and equipment. In 2014, HanseYachts started to produce Sealine yachts.
From Wikipedia’s article on HanseYachts, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.5