December 7, 2015

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France (CCSF) has awarded boat builder Beneteau with the “French Partner of the Century” Special Prize of Excellency 2015 for the strength and longevity of its relationship with Volvo Penta.

Through many years of close collaboration, Beneteau and Volvo Penta have produced a multitude of new technologies that have revolutionized the leisure boat and yacht market. To honor the companies’ long-standing and fruitful partnership, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France (CCSF) has awarded Beneteau with the “French Partner of the Century” Special Prize of Excellency. 

Beneteau received the prize in a ceremony attended by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, as well as Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, The ceremony was part of the CCSF centenary gala celebrating Swedish-French friendship and a century of Swedish companies in France, which was held at Petit Palais on November 30.  

“It is a great honor and personally gratifying for me to receive this award, which highlights the exemplary partnership between the Beneteau Group and Volvo Penta,” said Annette Bénéteau-Roux, head of Beneteau. “This is the result of a long-term collaboration that has promoted innovation in technology, but mostly it recognizes the many people who participated in and supported our initiatives. It is never easy to innovate, and I wish to dedicate this award especially to the new generations that will continue our work.” 

Founded in 1884, the family-owned Beneteau Group offers a wide range of sail- and engine-powered leisure boats, under its cruising sail boat brands —Beneteau, Jeanneau, CNB monohull and Lagoon catamaran—and powerboat brands, including Prestige, Monte Carlo Yachts and Lagoon power catamarans. Beneteau has built its success on a well-established foundation, including passion for innovation and investment into new production techniques.  

For more than a century, Volvo Penta has worked according to values similar to those of its partner Beneteau. With a strong tradition of innovation, Volvo Penta has revolutionized boating again and again, with products and solutions ranging from the diesel stern drive and Volvo Penta IPS to the duo prop and joystick docking and driving. The company has remained at the forefront of the marine market, consistently finding new ways to meet customer needs and exceed expectations. 

Through joint R&D ventures, the two companies have made industry-wide improvements in maneuverability and safety, allowing a new generation of boaters to enjoy the pleasure of leisure boating. Beneteau’s Air Step® hull and the Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS) are just two examples of the successful innovations that have resulted from this partnership and have boosted the performance of boats across the marine industry.  

“We take great pride in our strong partnership with Beneteau and wish to congratulate them on this auspicious occasion. The relationship between Volvo Penta and Beneteau is a special one, and this award recognizes our many years of working closely and innovating together to change the face of boating,” says Pascal Jamet, vice president of marine engines at Volvo Penta. “We look forward to many more years of collaboration with Beneteau.”