YV&C News Desk
Trinity Yachts Buys Yacht Charter Firm
A strategic move within the Luxury Superyacht industry
May. 21, 2007 09:30 PM
In the largest and most strategic move within the Luxury
SuperYacht industry, Trinity Yachts, LLC (Trinity) and International Yacht
Collection (IYC) have announced today that they have signed a Letter of Intent for Trinity
to acquire IYC. Along with bringing to together the first truly “Full Service “ entity than will bring together the build, Charter, management, refitting, crew and
brokering services. This acquisition will expand Trinity's capabilities and enable it to offer its
clients the entire range of yachting services: new construction, repairs, brokerage, charter
management, retail charter, yacht management, and crew placement. It is
expected that the purchase should be completed by July 1, 2007.
Felix Sabates, Chairman of Trinity states "due to the high level of
satisfaction with their new Trinity yachts, a number of our clients have expressed an interest in
Trinity
providing additional services to these owners and we are simply responding to
their requests. Our goal is to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for an owner
to purchase, operate and ultimately sell their Trinity yacht". Trinity
recently signed a contract for hull number 54, a 164 foot, 24 knot yacht. At any given time
there are a number of Trinity yachts available on the brokerage market. Mr Sabates
continues, "we felt the quickest path to be able to offer these expanded services was by a acquisition of an existing firm with a reputation for excellence and IYC certainly meets
these requirements."
Steve Hudson, President of IYC, comments, “I am proud of what my team has been
able to accomplish over the past 8 years. IYC has grown significantly over those years, from one small brokerage office in Fort Lauderdale to 7 full service offices
worldwide. The fact that Trinity, the leading US builder of superyachts, has chosen to acquire IYC
is a testament to the hard work and efforts of everyone at IYC. The
association with Trinity will be an immediate benefit to our employees as well as our worldwide client
base” Mr. Hudson will be staying on as a liaison and consultant for the combined
company. He adds, “As the yachting industry changes and more consolidation takes place, this was
a natural fit for two well run and well respected companies to combine forces to lead the
way for yachting in the future”.
Trinity has recently worked with many of the world brokerage houses on signing
contracts for the new construction of Trinity yachts. "Our plan is to continue our
great relationship with the brokerage community, and we encourage their participation
in new build contracts directly with Trinity Yachts. We will continue to work with the prospective client in whatever manner he or she feels most comfortable. If they
have a broker they enjoy working with, we will be happy to continue with that
relationship for the new construction of a Trinity Yacht. We also look forward to
developing a closer relationship with IYC and its talented employees" commented John Dane, President of Trinity Yachts.
About Trinity Yachts: Trinity operates 2 new construction facilities, one
in New Orleans, Louisiana and one in Gulfport, Mississippi and is capable of building
custom superyachts over 300 feet. Trinity currently has 18 yachts under
contract, 6 of which are being built for repeat clients. Trinity is ranked by Showboats
International magazine as the number one builder of custom yachts in the US.
www.trinityyachts.com
About International Yacht Collection: IYC is a global, full service
yachting company offering brokerage, retail charter, charter management, yacht management and crew placement from its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as offices
in Monaco; Nassau, Bahamas; Newport, RI; Palm Beach; and Sint Maarten.
www.iyc.com
About YV&C News DeskYV&C News Desk focuses on the finest yachts available for charter worldwide and on international yacht vacations, experiences, and destinations, bringing you first-hand, independent news that is broker-, charter-, and yacht builder- neutral.