For 40 years, the name “Drettmann” has stood for an extremely successful business in new yachts build and the specialist sales of pre-owned boats. With the global financial crisis, sales simultaneously bottomed out in both of our business fields, which had previously been well coordinated with one another. This resulted in insolvency proceedings introduced at the end of May. Now the German company based in Bremen directly on the Weser river steers into calmer waters:
Drettmann headquarters
Positive signals are sent out by the market with large numbers of sales and the interest of several potential investors. Because the reputation of the Drettmann GmbH had only suffered very minor damage: “The quality of our own yacht brands and the unique Refit-Programme by Drettmann enjoying a great reputation”, says and is considered as a major and important reason by the
couple Claudia and Albert Drettmann.
· Ralf Schumacher buys Bandido Yacht 75
Despite the insolvency proceedings, prominent clients are sending out an unambiguous signal: DTM and Formula 1 race car driver Ralf Schumacher has bought again a yacht from Drettmann. A Bandido 75’ from the Bremen series is now at berth in St. Tropez.
“The yacht was sold – hand on heart – at the usual market price, despite our friendly relationship”, says Albert Drettmann. That underlines the fact that all yachts are sold at usual market conditions.
Claudia and Albert Drettmann
· Sales of pre-owned yachts picks up markedly
Namely with increasing success. The number of sold pre-owned yachts raised continuously in the last weeks. “The quality of our special Refit-Programme for pre-owned yachts is known throughout Germany and Europe”, says Albert Drettmann.
The ordered temporary insolvency administrator, lawyer Edgar Grönda, underlines the fact: “During this difficult period we have the clear advantage to offer absolute high-quality products. The actual situation is not the direct consequence of mismanagement, but can be primarily traced back to the
worldwide economic crisis”.
New yacht orders however cannot be listed at the moment: “Each of our yachts is unique and based on the individual preferences and wishes of the future owner”, says Claudia Drettmann. The time period between order and delivery of a new-built yacht is 1 to 3 years depending on the length. In the
current situation new orders are therefore not realizable.
· Investors show interest in the Drettmann GmbH
The continuation of new yacht builds “made in Bremen-Hemelingen” is the focal point and interest of investors and group of investors: “We are currently holding different conversations and we are holding them in German”, transcribes Edgar Grönda the origin of possible investors.
· Location Bremen
The ultra-modern headquarter of the Drettmann GmbH (which was openend in Bremen-Hemelingen in 2006) shall be maintained in the future – if the agreement with investors is reached.
Not fixing a definite date for a final agreement with an investor, Edgar Grönda comments: “At the moment we are determining how to continue even the business of Drettmann GmbH without an investor. Therefore we are in contact with the financing banks of Drettmann GmbH”.
