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X-Yachting 2013
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x-yachting 2013 7
new
growth the
company
as ceo. kunøe brings huge experience in identifying
new
talent, having originally founded the successful mercuri urval recruitment agency. he is now chairman of consolidated holding a/s with a turnover among its subsidiary companies of €3 billion. all at x-yachts are now confident that this strong structure will enable the
company
to continue to grow. the
new
est xp range has already sold almost 150 boats since the first model, the xp 44, was launched in 2011. the x
performance
range now includes five models, joining the award-winning xcruising line launched two years previously, and the internationally popular xracing one-designs. across these three ranges x-yachts will be building over 120 boats in 2013 alone, confirming their place as market leaders of
performance
yachts. a word with ib kunøe... what was the key appeal of acquiring an interest in x-yachts? i have followed x-yachts closely since they first beat me on the water in 1985, and i have always admired the founders’ skills, enthusiasm and ability to build a world-renowned brand. i have always sailed – my father was a ships supplier and i was an officer in the local garrison. i also lived for a number of years in haderslev, where x-yachts has its headquarters, so i am familiar with the local language, know the people and their appreciation of quality craftsmanship. i was happy that the founders asked me to invest in the
company
and together we agreed on a business plan where we could both grow and develop so that we can keep at the forefront of the industry. how do you see your role in shaping the future of x-yachts, alongside niels and lars? i am the chairman of the board and majority owner, responsible for the strategy and also controlling the investments. hans viggaard is the ceo and runs the daily business, with all managers referring to him. niels is our genius and design director and lars will be responsible for the technical
performance
and delivery of the boats. what will this
new
financial backing mean for the
company
and yacht owners? we will live up to our
new
corporate mission and put in the investment that’s required. x-yachts is built on a deep understanding of
performance
, design and the demands of the sea. we want to be ahead of the industry, based on
new
innovation and superior craftsmanship. we thereby promise our customers pure sailing pleasure whether for racing or cruising. and we want to create an x-yachts community of passionate sailors and owners, so that together we can expand our joy of sailing to
new
frontiers. are you looking forward to attending the 2013 x-yachts gold cup in copenhagen? it will be the event of the year in sailing, not only on the water but also on shore. we have already sold a number of
new
boats, where the
new
owners will fly in and step on board their
new
yacht, be joined by a crew of experienced sailors, race, have fun and fly home again, then later receive their boat launched in a harbour elsewhere in the world. i am really looking forward to some great days in copenhagen in july. left and below: four generations of
performance
yacht design, from the first x-79 to latest xp 33.
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