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Interview with Francis Lapp, CEO and Founder of Sunreef Yachts

A journey of vision, innovation, and resilience.

With the Cannes Festival bustling around us and Sunreef models such as the Sunreef 60 Power Eco, Sunreef 60, Sunreef 70, and Sunreef 80 Sailing nearby, the setting couldn’t have been more fitting for a discussion about innovation and vision in the yachting industry.

A Journey from Alsace to Global Yachting Leadership

Born in Alsace, Francis Lapp’s early experiences were rooted in a region known for its craftsmanship and industrious spirit. His career began far from the sea, with a stint in Saudi Arabia at 26, followed by his return to France and eventual relocation to Poland in the late 1990s. It was a rally car event in Poland in 1998 that introduced him to both the country and the world of catamarans, sparking the passion that would lead to the creation of Sunreef Yachts.

This passion quickly evolved. After purchasing a 46-foot catamaran and starting a charter company, Francis soon realized he wanted more from his yachts than what the market offered. “I wanted something more luxurious, not a plastic boat,” he shared. This desire to create something beyond the ordinary led him to found Sunreef Yachts in 2002, setting the foundation for a shipyard that would redefine the luxury multihull market.

Pioneering Sustainable Yachting

Sunreef Yachts is a brand synonymous with sustainability and innovation. Francis shared his pioneering approach to the yachting industry, particularly in embracing green technology long before it became a trend. “Six years ago, I started thinking about building an electric boat,” he revealed. Today, Sunreef’s solar-powered yachts are at the forefront of the industry, with solar panels incorporated into the design of their luxury catamarans.

His vision for the future of yachting is deeply tied to sustainability, but it’s also driven by client demand. “Our clients always ask for something bigger,” Francis remarked. The growing desire for larger vessels has led to the creation of Sunreef’s expansive models, including their 140-foot yachts, with three already sold.

Innovation Through Intuition

Francis’ entrepreneurial journey is fueled by intuition and creativity. When asked where his ideas come from, he responded with a smile, “I don’t know. At night.” Many of his most groundbreaking ideas, like the solar panels, emerged from his dreams. His ability to think ahead and foresee market trends has been key to Sunreef’s continued success.

One such innovation is the new Ultima line, a fusion of monohull and catamaran designs that seeks to attract clients transitioning from traditional yachts to multihulls. The Ultima line, launched two years ago, has already sold 45 units, and the first deliveries are expected by the end of 2024.

Leading with Family and Vision

As the conversation turned personal, Francis spoke proudly about the involvement of the next generation in Sunreef’s operations. His son Nicolas is deeply engaged in advancing Sunreef’s technological edge, particularly with hydrogen-powered yachts. The company plans to unveil its first hydrogen-powered vessel, an 80-foot sailing yacht, in 2025. “Nicolas is helping with the big boats, and he is very engaged with the technology. New technology,” Francis said, hinting at the exciting future of hydrogen power for Sunreef.

Iconic Clients and High-Profile Collaborations

Sunreef Yachts has attracted an impressive roster of clients, including sports stars like Rafael Nadal, Nico Rosberg, and Fernando Alonso. These high-profile collaborations provide valuable marketing exposure, but as Francis emphasized, they are also just regular clients seeking high-quality, well-crafted yachts. For Francis, building relationships with clients is about more than celebrity status—it’s about delivering exceptional products that meet their unique needs.

Navigating Challenges with Resilience

Sunreef Yachts’ journey has not been without challenges. In 2012, a devastating fire struck one of their factories. When asked how he managed such a crisis, Francis recalled the immense support from clients, many of whom paid in advance to keep the business afloat. “It was a difficult time, but also a good time because you realized how much support you received.”

Francis’ resilience as an entrepreneur has been shaped by his experiences working in different cultures, particularly his time in Saudi Arabia, which he describes as his “best school.” These experiences have shaped his forward-thinking approach to business and innovation.

A Glimpse into the Future

Looking ahead, Francis envisions continued growth for Sunreef Yachts, both in terms of size and technological advancements. With nearly 3,000 employees across their Polish and UAE shipyards, and plans to expand further, Sunreef Yachts is set to push the boundaries of luxury and sustainability in the industry.

Francis Lapp’s story is one of passion, resilience, and innovation—a testament to what can be achieved when one dares to dream, even in the face of challenges. With Sunreef Yachts leading the way in sustainable luxury yachting, the future is bright, and bigger things are surely on the horizon.

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CEO Series: Francis Lapp of Sunreef Yachts on the rise of the multihull market

Francis Lapp, founder and President of Sunreef Yachts , grew up in the mountains, far from any yachting hubs. Coming into yachting with an outsider’s perspective, he was able to bring a fresh approach to yacht building when he started Sunreef in 2002 in Gdansk, Poland. He discusses how brand recognition of Sunreef has changed in the past 20 years, the builder’s new shipyard in Ras Al Khaimah, his pragmatic approach to industry trends and why more clients are being drawn to catamarans. 

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Shipyard Stories: Discovering Sunreef Yachts

Written By: Gemma Fottles

Sunreef Yachts is a shipyard that has defied all the odds. Opening its doors in 2002 in the historic port city of Gdansk in Poland, the first few years of business saw more than its fair share of skepticism thrown at the burgeoning builder of luxury catamarans.

At the time, most in the luxury yachting business agreed that there was simply no market for a luxury catamaran. A catamaran, they said, is not a luxury vessel. Twenty years later, it’s safe to say that Sunreef Yachts’ founder and CEO Francis Lapp has proved the doubters wrong.

“There were many ups and downs on the way, and we certainly learned many lessons,” muses Lapp as he looks back on two decades in business. “But we taught a few lessons along the way as well! Most importantly, we proved there is a market for our product.” Launching a new eco-line of superyacht models earlier this year, a growing family of Sunreef owners includes Tennis star Rafael Nadal and Formula One drivers Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg.

The Sunreef Yachts Story

Part of what has made the brand so successful is the reason for its existence in the first place. Sunreef Yachts was borne out of a personal passion. As an active sailor and successful entrepreneur, Francis Lapp found that as his buying power grew, the yachts that he loved didn’t. Dissatisfied with the lack of luxury in the catamaran market, Lapp decided to do it himself. “In a way, this sense of disappointment fueled my desire to build. This is how my idea became clear: I needed to redefine the word “catamaran” and give it a luxury edge,” Lapp says.

Francis Lapp

From the very start, Sunreef Yachts set out on a mission to provide more quality and more flexibility than any other catamarans on the market. Perhaps most importantly, Lapp’s vision for Sunreef Yachts was married with innovation.

Practical features such as an easy-to-use retractable dinghy launching system made the catamaran experience a step closer to the comfort and capabilities of luxury yachts. Still, it was the addition of a large flybridge that truly elevated the experience to new heights. The yard’s first catamaran was the world’s only oceangoing luxury multi-hull to feature a flybridge with decent lounging and dining spaces. Today, this is considered standard on board a catamaran.

“Our first models especially stood out with the use of space within the cabins,” continues Lapp in regards to the origins of Sunreef Yachts. “Their design allowed for a new level of comfort with beds placed across the hull and large portlights. Our first innovations also included a retractable dinghy-launching system which was very easy to use. We started with an innovative product which was also highly customisable. We basically created a new market niche.”

A Rocky Road to Yachting Success

Despite these innovations, when Sunreef made its yachting debut in Cannes 2003 with a 74’ catamaran, the industry reception was critical - to put it lightly. Few believed that there could ever be a market for luxury catamarans. “Our first showcase was very far from being a success,” remembers Lapp candidly.

“We didn’t have any visits on board. People did not believe in luxury catamarans, and on top of that, they didn’t think a luxury product could be made in Poland. Industry professionals would tell me Sunreef Yachts wouldn’t last more than two years.”

Regardless of the negative criticism, Francis Lapp and the Sunreef team persevered. The brand’s first power cat was launched the following year in 2008 and boasted transpacific autonomy. Soon after, Sunreef became the first shipyard to introduce double-deck catamarans and, in 2010, launched their largest-ever yacht, SY Che, measuring 34.72 metres and accommodating up to eight guests. Che was also the biggest sloop-rigged sail catamaran in the world at the time, marking a significant milestone for the once-doubted yard.

Innovation in Superyachts 

Innovation is an overused buzzword - though not in the case of Sunreef Yachts. Continuous investment into the company and unwavering belief in the founder’s vision propelled them into success. “Another exciting challenge was the folding mast we designed, engineered and installed on a super cat over 80ft,” says Lapp on the innovation milestones over the years. “At the time when we were working on our Sunreef Supreme range, we also found a way to fit a tender and jet-ski garage on a 68-footer.”

The yard’s facilities have also grown over the years and are a testament to Sunreef’s dedication to innovation. Its current facilities boast a total of eight build halls as well as an in-house carpentry department. The Sunreef yard in Gdansk also includes a state-of-the-art paint shed and more than 20,000 square metres of buildings. Not to mention Europe’s largest computer numerical control (CNC) machines, capable of precisely cutting elements up to 30 metres.

Today, however, Sunreef’s efforts when it comes to innovation are laser-focused on sustainability. Using less power than superyachts, catamarans have long been the greener yachts of the industry just by sheer design. But Sunreef is not happy to merely rest on greenwashed laurels. The Sunreef Yachts Eco line proves just that, integrating some of the greenest technology out there.

Sunreef Yachts Eco Line

“The Sunreef Yachts Eco line is a range of power and sail catamarans that have been in the works for some time,” explains Lapp. “At the moment, it is a key element of our strategy. We want to make yachting more responsible, and I know more, and more of our customers share the same point of view. We wanted to go further than just building boats with electric engines. Instead, we tried a holistic approach and took the time to reassess every aspect of our yachts.”

The result of thousands of hours of R&D - or, as Lapp calls it, ‘holistic reassessment’ - was a line of yachts that puts real, sustainable options in the client’s hands. Perhaps the most significant innovation to come out of this is the Sunreef solar power system. This in-house solar technology is another industry-first, making Sunreef the only company globally that can integrate photovoltaic panels with composite. The batteries used are custom-engineered for Sunreef models and have an unmatched weight-to-efficiency ratio.

Sunreef 80 Eco

But it’s not just about the technology. Every element of a Sunreef Eco yacht has been reassessed, from the build material to the fabrics and furnishings. And since launching the line in Summer 2021, the response says Lapp has been fantastic. “People know that catamarans are a sustainable choice, and they like our definition of responsible luxury. Most of the inquiries we receive today are about catamarans with eco-responsible solutions. Customers today are more and more educated and discerning. There is a positive trend in the industry, and I feel it is moving in the right direction, but just not at the right pace. I am thrilled to observe this trend – if the demand is here, the industry will follow.”

Though Sunreef may have started as a yard with something to prove, success after success has demonstrated that they have more than proved their value - and perhaps never should have been doubted in the first place. With environmental issues becoming ever more pressing, the future certainly looks bright - and green - with Sunreef.

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Sunreef Yachts: A Continuous Growth

Sunreef Yachts has witnessed an exceptional growth over the past few years, cementing its position as a pioneer in the realm of responsible yachting. The company’s innovative approach, coupled with its unwavering commitment to sustainability, has resonated deeply with clients worldwide, driving remarkable demand for Sunreef Eco catamarans.

In 2023, Sunreef Yachts experienced a remarkable 89% increase in the number of units delivered compared to 2021, with a significant portion coming from loyal customers. This surge in demand translates into a substantial 40% growth in revenue.

Industrial Expansion

With two shipyards in Poland and an emerging facility in the UAE, the company has the prefect infrastructure for continuous growth. The company’s Gdansk manufacturing hub covers 125.000 m²  and is equipped with build halls including in-house carpentry, upholstery, stainless-steel workshops, and one of Europe’s largest computer numerical control (CNC) machines. The facility continues to evolve, with a high-tech paint shop added last year as well as upcoming investments including a 5.000 m² warehouse and production area in the coming months.

Developed on a 65 000 m²  land reserve, the new facility in Ras Al Khaimah incorporates the latest technologies in luxury yacht building and meets the highest standards of sustainability and energy efficiency.

Attracting and Nurturing Talent

Sunreef Yachts’ remarkable growth has not only fueled its industrial expansion but has also generated numerous employment opportunities. The company is actively recruiting in both Gdansk and the UAE. With a projected workforce increase of 15% in 2024 in Poland and double increase in Ras Al Khaimah, Sunreef Yachts is dedicated to fostering a team of skilled professionals.

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