Job description / Denis Bourbigot, boss of the IDBmarine shipyard: Intuition, know-how and high standards<

Pascal BénardPosted onFollow

What training, what diploma to occupy this position?

Strictly speaking, there is no specific training for this function when you are the creator-founder of the shipyard. It starts rather from a desire and some specific ideas of what should be done to offer a different offer in terms of yachting. Clearly, you have to define a navigation concept, differentiate yourself from the others by bringing a certain added value, but above all you have to work for other shipyards to acquire experience and a real technical background. This job therefore requires good knowledge of business administration, good technical knowledge and a lot of navigation experience.

Denis' career is largely inspired by these principles. After several years of ferrying, preparing boats, and happy encounters (from Bruno Voisard, catamaran rental and builder, to Christian Bouroullec, creator of the Pogo line and Pierrick de Kervenoael, who brought the Catboat up to date thanks to the Ikone ) gradually emerges the idea of ​​making boats and making it his professional life.

The IDBmarine shipyard was created in 2005. The initial idea was simple: put all of one's sailing experience to imagine and build sailboats dedicated to the pleasure of being on the water with family or friends and also well designed for sailing alone than with a crew. From the start, Denis and his team innovated by integrating new technologies (infusion and injection) for the manufacture of hulls, decks and boat parts.

What skills are required?

Patience, listening, anticipation, management

Beyond the essential technical skills, which today are acquired in professional sectors dedicated to composites, on-board electronics… the real discovery and anxiety is the job of a business manager. Ensuring the management of the company, devoting oneself to strategy, technical development and personnel management requires skill and also time.

But the most important thing is to know how to surround yourself, know how to combine skills and trust collective intelligence!

"Preparing your vegetable garden for winter can make a big difference in the success and health of your garden next… https://t.co/mcVCjZCWf3

— Edmonds Landscape Tue Oct 29 09:30:29 +0000 2019

What daily?

The watchword: Be everywhere without dispersing!

That is to say, being in the workshop to produce and develop the parts, ensure the relationship with customers and suppliers, take charge of the administrative part, bring together, train and support a team and icing on the cake, sometimes test the boats.

At the same time, it is necessary to be able to devote time to the development of current projects, a new range, a technical or technological improvement. The constant discussion with the Mini Transat racers around the Maxi 650 is proof of this. These exchanges allow the boat to constantly evolve for ever greater safety and performance. The evolution of the rig on the Mojito 8.88 also aims to improve sailing comfort. Here again it is the exchange with the owners that makes the difference.

We are both in an industrial logic and tailor-made or even lace…

What responsibilities?

Equally guarantee the safety of employees and the satisfaction of our customers. As "boss", I have a duty to guarantee employment, the sustainability of the company and of course its good management.

Vis-à-vis our customers, I must guarantee a finished product, of quality and perfectly meeting the specifications. The boat must conform to what was sold for the greatest satisfaction of our customers. Quality is the key word, because it has a commercial impact, and maintains the reputation of the site.

What are the possible evolutions of this profession?

Above all, don't forget to "feel the wind". Beyond understatement, the future is written by listening, observing, searching and navigating. We must keep ahead for our boats with innovative design, performance and of course comfort at sea and on stopovers.

The demand is changing. That of our customers as much as that of the company which aims at a different pleasure. Both more flexible in the use of the boat and even more respectful of the environment and resources. Perhaps we should build boats that are more reasonable in size, but much more comfortable? A boat must continue to inspire dreams and we must constantly innovate.

The biocomposite already in place on site with the flax fiber must continue to develop. Our boats must change in their design, their construction and must be part of a life cycle planned from the start.

We sell dreams and happiness! What could be more exciting?