(click image to enlarge)
Greifswald, 12 November 2007 - The HanseYachts Group has completely taken over Fjord Boats, a Norwegian motorboat manufacturer, and now holds 100 percent of the shares in Fjord Boats AS. Follow ing the acquisition of a 51-percent participation in the Norwegian enterprise, motorboats have been developed and produced in the HanseYachts Group since March 2006. The Fjord 40 Open, the first motor yacht model developed at HanseYachts, was introduced at the boat fair in Düsseldorf in January 2007. "We have been developing the motor yachts marketed under the Fjord brand into a second mainstay of our Group," said Michael Schmidt, founder and CEO of HanseYachts. In July 2007 HanseYachts exercised its option to acquire the remaining shares (49 percent) in Fjord Boats AS held by Mornor AS, via its w holly ow ned subsidiary, Yachtzentrum Greifswald participations GmbH. The sale price, about which strict silence has been maintained by mutual agreement, is oriented on the market price and was determined by an auditing firm. The former managing director, Morten Nordvold, has resigned his position as CEO at Fjord Boats AS. Daily business is currently being coordinated by Jens Ahrens, in addition to his position as brand manager at Fjord and Moody. Jens Ahrens will soon be officially named the new Managing Director at Fjord Boats AS. About HanseYachts AG: HanseYachts is one of the fastest growing yacht producers in Europe. Sailing yachts are currently being built that range from 10 meters to 19.2 meters (32 ft to 63 ft). HanseYachts also produces motor yachts under the Fjord Boats AS brand. Moreover, England’s Moody brand, which is known for its high-quality sailing yachts, has belonged to the HanseYachts Group since March 2007. HanseYachts AG has also been publicly listed on the General Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since March 2007. In fiscal year 2006/07 (ended on 31/07/2007) sales w ere EUR 105.2 million (EUR 66.3 million last year). A total of 850 yachts were produced in fiscal year 2006/07 (585 yachts last year). In the HanseYachts Group, there w ere 423 employees at the end of fiscal year 2006/07.