CDK Technologies, 6 months on from the acquisition by Inspiring Sport Capital
Created over 35 years ago by Hubert Desjoyeaux, the CDK Composites yard became CDK Technologies in 1993 and is a leading boat builder in the domain of large-scale high-performance composite parts
CDK Technologies, what if composite materials were not only the domain of racing applications? Anyway, according to the French company, since its takeover by Inspiring Sport Capital, CDK Technologies has set itself some new aims supported by its new management team.
CDK Technologies ‘CEO, Cyril Abiteboul
“We set aside some time to analyse our environment and identify some key areas for development: consolidating our position as leader in the domain of offshore racing, making our surface areas and equipment specialised to enhance our manufacturing performance with regards certain elements like foils, strengthening our teams’ expertise and lining ourselves up to become a solid partner able to support the growth of the marine sector with anything ranging from luxury yachting to low-carbon mobility solutions,” says Cyril Abiteboul, CEO of CDK Technologies.
Within the context of this strategy, CDK Technologies is set to acquire C3 Technologies, one of its historic partners, whose business reflects the same positioning and culture. “I’d like to thank Jean-Marie Buignet for the trust he has shown in CDK Technologies regarding the future of C3 Technologies. This agreement is a way to accelerate the implementation of our strategy, particularly for the foil market, in which C3 Technologies is an historic protagonist of great renown,” says Abiteboul.
From the French Atlantic shore
Based in Périgny, just outside La Rochelle, the latter boasts some 28 employees and for more than 15 years it has specialised in the design and manufacture of high-performance composite parts (prototypes and production) such as daggerboards and rudders, the internal structures of boats and composite technical equipment. “Based in La Rochelle, C3 Technologies is highly dynamic and boasts a substantial labour pool. It addresses a market that is very close to our own, making it an integral part of our strategy for consolidating our position through integration and specialisation. We are also keen to move into new markets, but this won’t be to the detriment of our historic market of offshore racing, which is becoming increasingly demanding in terms of adaptability, rapidity and quality,” he continues.
For his part, Jean-Marie Buignet, managing director, is also thrilled about the upcoming purchase: “To my mind, Hubert Desjoyeaux has always been a reference, as much on a human level as a technical one. Therefore, the fact that C3 Technologies’ history will become intertwined with that of CDK Technologies and the dynamic fuelled by the new team, perfectly resonates with the aims of growth and expansion that I’m planning for our company. I’m convinced that our shared passions and our future collaborations will be beneficial and further contribute to the renown of CDK Technologies.”
An extension of the workshops planned for 2023
Beyond its strategy for external growth, the yard is planning a 6,000 m2 extension of its premises in Lorient. Set to begin next year, the work will span a two-year period. “Beyond the extension, the specialisation of our offer will also include that of our surface areas. This will enable us to establish our position as a reliable partner to offshore racing, as well as to diversify, with new spaces dedicated to the demands of the clients we intend to address in the yachting industry, as well as other industries requiring the application of high-performance composite,” says Cyril Abiteboul. “Quality and productivity must be exemplary. We also aim to ensure that the teams’ working environments, adapted to the current and future regulations, become a reference which sailing protagonists will be proud to rally around,” he explains.
