Wichard Pacific

What Wichard Pacific does

Wichard Pacific is the Australian and Asia-South Pacific distribution subsidiary of the French Wichard Group, established in 2002 and headquartered at St Peters, Sydney. It serves as the exclusive regional point of service for the group's portfolio of premium marine hardware brands — Wichard (forged deck hardware and safety products since 1919), Profurl and Facnor (sail furling systems), Sparcraft (aluminium masts and booms at 4,000+ units per year), Lorima (carbon fibre masts for superyachts and ocean racers), Axxon (composite masts and rigging, acquired December 2023), Peguet/Maillon Rapide (quick links), and Tye Tec (high-performance loop blocks). The portfolio addresses the full spectrum of sailing applications from small cruising yachts through to 150-foot mega-yachts.

The company's business model is channel-led B2B distribution combined with direct enterprise sales. Approximately 125 independent distributors — chandleries, riggers and sailmakers — provide retail and trade reach across every Australian state and territory and selected Asia-South Pacific markets. Direct sales are made to OEM boat builders, professional riggers, sailmakers and industrial clients requiring custom forging or specialised rigging. Pricing is predominantly quote-based for B2B transactions, with limited RRP disclosure on retail items; warranty commitments reach up to 10 years on Profurl manual headsail furling systems. The technical underpinning is precision forging (stainless steel, Duplex stainless, titanium, aluminium) and carbon/composite mast manufacturing developed continuously since 1919 and reinforced through the 2019 addition of Lorima and the 2023 acquisitions of Axxon and Ronstan.

Wichard Pacific operates with a small local team (1-10 employees) and is wholly owned by the Wichard Group, which is itself controlled by French private equity firm Azulis Capital alongside management. The parent group reached €110 million in consolidated annual revenue and 650 employees globally following the Ronstan acquisition. Customer segments served include boat builders (OEM), marine riggers, sailmakers, chandleries, safety-focused end users and non-marine industrial clients using forged components. Prominent end-uses include Vendée Globe and The Ocean Race campaigns, Imoca and Ultim class racing yachts, Gunboat performance catamarans, and Beneteau Group production boats.

Name

Wichard Pacific

Legal name

Wichard Pacific

Website

https://wichard.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wichard Pacific distributes premium French marine hardware brands — including Wichard, Profurl, Facnor, Sparcraft, Lorima and Axxon — across Australia and the Asia-South Pacific, supplying boat builders, riggers, sailmakers and chandleries with furling systems, masts, rigging, deck hardware and safety equipment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Hardware Distribution

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (33661)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070)

akta.pro primary industry

Deck Fittings & Hardware (Bitts, Fairleads, Cleats, Anchors & Chains) (IMAJAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG)

Keywords

• Marine hardware distribution
• Sailing rigging systems
• Furling systems supply
• Boat fittings wholesale
• Marine safety equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Peters

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Marine hardware product sales: Sale of marine hardware products including furling systems, deck hardware, masts, booms, rigging components, safety equipment, and industrial components. Products sold directly to boat builders, riggers, sailmakers, chandleries, and industrial clients in Australia and the Asia-South Pacific region.
2. Aftermarket parts and service: Spare parts, technical support, and aftersales service for furling systems and other products. Technical documentation and product identification services for maintenance and repairs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Wichard Pacific distributes a portfolio of marine hardware brands — including Wichard forged fittings, Profurl and Facnor furling systems, Sparcraft aluminium spars, Lorima carbon masts, Peguet textile hardware, Axxon and Tye Tec safety/range hardware — to boatbuilders, riggers, sailmakers, chandleries and industrial customers across Australia and the Asia–South Pacific region. The company acts as the regional arm of the French Wichard Group, holding inventory and providing sales, warranty and technical support for the brand portfolio.

Product overview

Wichard Pacific distributes a portfolio of French marine hardware brands under the Wichard Group umbrella. The offering spans eight core brands: Wichard (forged marine hardware and safety products since 1919), Profurl (manual and motorized sail furling systems), Facnor (furling systems for racing and cruising), Sparcraft (masts, booms, and rigging - 4000+ masts/year), Lorima (carbon fiber masts for racing/superyachts), Peguet (Maillon Rapide quick links), Axxon Composites (composite masts/booms, acquired 2023), and Tye Tec (high-performance loop blocks for modern ropes). These brands serve boat builders, riggers, sailmakers, chandleries, and safety clients across Australia and Asia-Pacific. The portfolio addresses the full sailing market from small boats to 150ft mega-yachts, with products ranging from deck hardware and safety equipment to complete mast and rigging systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wichard: A global leader in sailboat hardware and safety products, forging marine and industrial components in France since 1919. Products include safety knives, lifeline hooks, fastenings, diamond padeyes, and mast steps.
• Profurl
• Facnor
• Sparcraft
• Lorima
• Peguet
• Axxon
• Tye Tec

Products and services

• Wichard forged marine hardware Forged stainless-steel marine fittings — including shackles, snap hooks, sailmaker hardware, lashing hardware, pulleys and other stainless/aluminium fittings — sold under the Wichard brand to boatbuilders, riggers, sailmakers, chandleries and industrial customers in Australia and the Asia–South Pacific.
• Profurl furling systems Furling and reef-furling systems for headsails and mainsails, distributed under the Profurl brand for sailing vessels across Australia and Asia-Pacific.
• Facnor furling systems Furling and reef-furl systems (headsail and mainsail furlers) distributed under the Facnor brand to boatbuilders and riggers in Australia and Asia-Pacific.
• Sparcraft aluminium spars Aluminium masts, booms and associated spars for sailing vessels, distributed under the Sparcraft brand across Australia and Asia-Pacific.
• Lorima carbon spars Carbon masts, carbon booms and other high-performance carbon spars and components distributed under the Lorima brand to performance and superyacht builders across Australia and Asia-Pacific.
• Peguet textile hardware Textile and lashing hardware (Peguet range) distributed for soft-shackle and textile rigging applications to riggers and boatbuilders in Australia and Asia-Pacific.
• Axxon safety and range hardware Marine safety and range hardware products distributed under the Axxon brand to chandleries and retail buyers in Australia and Asia-Pacific.
• Tye Tec hardware range Marine hardware range distributed under the Tye Tec brand to chandleries and trade customers in Australia and Asia-Pacific.

Quantifiable outcome

• Wichard Diamond Padeyes (Duplex stainless steel) have approximately 10% higher SWL than those made from 316L stainless steel.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Axxon CompositescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2023Axxon Composites, a company specialising in the manufacture of composite masts, booms and rigging, was acquired by the Wichard Group in December 2023. Founded in 2010 by Eric Duchemin, Philippe Boclet, and Marius Tolbas, Axxon has become the leader in the OEM market for carbon masts between 35' and 80' in Europe. Axxon complements Lorima (which operates in larger mast market for ocean racing and merchant marine) and works synergistically with Sparcraft's aluminium mast and boom range.
• RonstancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The Wichard Group completed the acquisition of Australian equipment manufacturer Ronstan. This acquisition contributed to the group's overall annual sales of 110 million euros and total headcount of 650 employees.
• LorimacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Lorima, a carbon mast and boom manufacturer, joined the Wichard Group in 2019. Heavily present in the racing market as official supplier to Imoca and Ultim class ocean racers, Lorima also supplies megayacht builders. The collaboration between Sparcraft and Lorima for the supply of Figaro 3 rigs led to the desire to consolidate know-hows. Lorima operates from a 7,700 sq ft facility at the old submarine base of Lorient, Brittany, with a team of 30 people.
• North SailsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorth Sails is a prominent sailmaker that works with Wichard Pacific products. Gunboat 68 #1 'Condor' uses North 3di sails as part of its rig specification.
• Grand Large YachtingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrand Large Yachting acquired the Gunboat brand in 2016. Gunboat 68 catamarans are equipped with Lorima rigs and Facnor furlers through the Wichard Group's commercial relationship with Grand Large Yachting.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Harken: US-headquartered global leader in sailboat hardware including blocks, travellers, furlers, and winches. Direct competitor in the marine hardware category with overlapping product offerings and similar customer base of boat builders, sailors, and riggers worldwide.
• Spinlock: UK-based designer and manufacturer of marine safety equipment, rope holders, jammers, and deck hardware. Direct peer in marine hardware distribution, particularly in safety equipment (jammers, clutches) and rope-handling products that overlap with Wichard's offerings.
• Ronstan: Australian marine hardware manufacturer (blocks, travellers, furlers, sailing hardware). Acquired by Wichard Group in 2023, making it a direct internal peer. Equivalent product categories (deck hardware, rigging components) and primary customer base (boat builders, riggers, sailmakers).
• Forespar: US manufacturer of marine hardware including poles, boom vangs, and rigging components. Direct competitor in the mast/rigging accessory category, with similar OEM and aftermarket customer base in North American and international sailing markets.
• Seldén Mast: Swedish manufacturer of masts, booms, rigging, and furling systems for sailing yachts. Direct competitor to Sparcraft and Lorima in the mast/boom segment, serving similar OEM boat builders and aftermarket customers across global markets.
• Karver Systems: French manufacturer of furling systems, blocks, and rigging hardware. Direct competitor to Facnor and Profurl in the furling system category, with strong presence in the racing and performance sailing segments that overlap with Lorima customers.
• Antal: Italian manufacturer of marine deck hardware including blocks, snatch blocks, and furling systems. Competitor to Wichard in the forged hardware segment and to Facnor/Profurl in furlers, with shared customer base in the European and global marine markets.
• Allen Brothers: UK-based manufacturer of marine blocks, furlers, and hardware for sailing yachts. Direct competitor in the forged hardware and furling categories, with similar OEM and aftermarket customer base in the global sailing market.

Emerging players

• Nautos: Marine hardware manufacturer focused on high-performance sailing components. Emerging player in the same categories as Wichard Group brands (deck hardware, rigging), with growing presence in racing and superyacht segments.

Broad incumbents

• Edson International: US-based manufacturer of marine steering, pumps, and hardware. Wider portfolio across marine hardware categories with some overlap with Wichard's deck hardware and rigging products, serving a similar professional and OEM customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/wichard.pacific
• Facebookfacebook.com/wichardpacific
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wichard-pacific

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wichard Pacific