Dutch superyacht builder Royal Huisman has revealed that shareholder Royal Doeksen has bought out the final shares from the Huisman family.
This buyout brings to an end 133 years of family ownership, and as a result former managing director Alice Huisman (pictured below, right) will now stand down from all responsibilities at the yard.
Royal Doeksen bought its initial stake in the Vollenhove-based yard in 2014. Managing director Jan Willem Doeksen paid tribute to his departing colleague, adding:
“Alice has become an icon in the superyacht industry and is a great representation of everything that makes family businesses special. It is a great privilege for all of us on the Doeksen team to have worked with Alice and we are fully committed to the culture, values and quality standards of the Royal Huisman brand and its focus on innovation and sustainability.”
Huisman herself said: “Every Huisman generation since 1884 has always sought to act in the best interests of the yard. Those interests have to be reflected in giving the yard access to new capital.
“So it is time for us, as a family, to stand aside. In doing so, we naturally take pleasure in leaving the yard with a healthy order book and hard fought reputation.”
The news comes shortly after Royal Huisman announced plans to expand into the Emden Dockyard in Germany and the former Holland Jachtbouw facility in Amsterdam.
Notable superyacht projects currently under development at the Dutch yard include the 58 metre Dubois-designed sloop Ngoni, which is due to launch this spring.