Changing markets : from craftsmanship to industry

Since the 1980s‚ Multiplast made a name for itself as a result of its remarkable track record in ocean racing with boats made from composite materials. Having won the Jules Verne Trophy five times, the company monopolised the boat racing market. However, this market is subject to geopolitical and economic vagaries, and both the Gulf Wars in 1991 and 1997 and the subprime crisis in 2007 endangered market dynamics. Furthermore‚ social and fiscal instability in France made clients think twice about ordering boats. Subsequently, Multiplast decided to diversify on a large-scale and started supplying structures made from composite materials to companies in the aeronautical, transport and defence sectors. This is a major change from small-scale craft production to large-scale industry, and is an important break with tradition. Multiplast has overcome the obstacles in its way by joining forces with Décision SA, an unusual company which manufactured both the Swiss boat which won the America’s Cup twice, and Bertrand Piccard’s solar-powered aircraft‚ Solar Impulse.