Alliance Marine acquires leading distributor acquires Marathon Leisure to consolidate positions on the UK recreational boating market
Alliance Marine Group, the European leader in recreational boating and marine equipment, continues to strengthen its positions on international markets, targeting the UK as a most promising territory.
With Ocean Safety, Typhoon and now Marathon Leisure, Alliance Marine is now positioned at the forefront of the UK marine equipment market.
CEO Jean-Paul Roche comments:"Our strategy is built on a combination of organic and acquisitive growth, with a special focus on international development. Teaming up with Marathon Leisure is a major step that now positions our Group at the forefront of the UK market, one of the most attractive markets for us in Europe. Other existing Alliance Marine affiliates in the UK include Ocean Safety and Typhoon and with the addition of a strong distribution expert with excellent reputation, the Group has come full circle. We are convinced that Marathon Leisure will be a flagship unit and play a pivotal role in our Group’s growth and performance in the UK."
The business model of Marathon Leisure is very familiar to Alliance Marine Group: several distribution companies located in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden are also trade-only businesses who share a daily concern for efficient logistics and expert service to ship chandlers, re-fit yards and boatbuilders. Being long-time partners of the most prestigious boating equipment brands is another common thread, definitely a major asset for Marathon Leisure.
"Combine leveraging the Group's buying resources with our own agility and reactive service" (Tim Millinder)
Tim Millinder, Managing Director of Marathon Leisure, explains:"By joining Alliance Marine, we are we are totally geared up for expansion and growth. We will broaden and deepen our portfolio with the addition of some of the Group’s products and brands, and look forward to taking advantage of pooling buying resources. Another important point in our closer ties with Alliance Marine is our preserved autonomy and identity: a large part of the success of Marathon Leisure comes from our agility and consistent service to the trade and we are very pleased that Alliance Marine management is on the same page." The Marathon Leisure team remains unchanged and will keep distributing their current portfolio of leading specialist brands.
