Fendsea is a French company who created the first multipurpose fender in the world. Equipment neglected by the boating industry for decades, the fender currently generates significant dissatisfaction among boaters:
- Limited efficiency and durability
- Space-consuming
- Useless once at sea
- Simplistic design compromising the aesthetics of boats
Through its technological approach and innovative design, Fendsea addresses these technical and functional pain points.
With its international ambition and expertise in the boating market, Fendsea aims to become the world’s leading premium fender brand within the next five years.
Interview with Guillaume LABROT, CEO Co-Funder & Hugo de MALHERBE, Founding Partner & CBO at Fendsea.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Guillaume LABROT: With its cutting-edge R&D department, Fendsea designs innovative, high-performance fenders for the entire nautical industry, covering the recreational boat market from 7 to 50 m (22ft to 165 ft), with specific products also dedicated to the racing boat and yacht & superyacht industries.
Focused on continuous improvement, the company reinvents the design, utility and performance of this equipment to make it a product of technical and aesthetic quality, like the other essential products on board. Why should we continue to neglect such an important product for protecting our boats?
But Fendsea doesn’t want to stop there. With our offensive intellectual protection policy, we want to capitalize on our patent registrations to diversify our value proposition by offering a wide range of nautical equipment based on our technology, and even beyond the nautical industry.
What’s the news about new products/services?
G.L: After the success of its first range of solid fenders (the FS45 and FS60) designed for racing sailboats, Fendsea announces a game-changing innovation in the world of fenders for 2025 with the upcoming launch of its inflatable cylindrical and rectangular fenders.
Still featuring an integrated storage space—Fendsea’s signature feature—we aim to cover the entire market by offering products tailored to both leisure boaters and professionals, with a wide selection of sizes and designs.
With this innovation, Fendsea fenders directly compete with all current players by offering a technology that is 2.5 times more durable (limited replacement of the fender set) and more efficient (reducing the number of fenders required by half).
The year 2025 also marks a turning point for the company, as it expands its distribution strategy with a B2B approach. Fendsea is launching a specialized offering for Boat Clubs, boat rental companies, and charter businesses, providing them with additional services such as fleet management for their fenders, premium after-sales support, and customization options.
What are the ranges of products/services?
Hugo de Malherbe: To meet the expectations of its customers, Fendsea has designed 3 ranges of fenders with specific designs and features:
- The Race range, designed for racing sailboats.
Through the development of this range, Fendsea aims to become the number one supplier for racing teams and continues its partnerships, such as the one signed with Thibaut VAUCHEL-CAMUS, skipper of the boat ”Solidaires en Peloton” and winner of the 2023 Transat Jacques Vabre.
- The Cruise range, for boats from 7 to 20 meters
The goal of Fendsea’s Cruise range is to offer as many of these boaters as possible a high-quality fender, with a variety of designs and customizable options.
- The Prestige range, targeting the market for boats from 20 to 50 meters, featuring a premium design tailored to this high-end segment
Fendsea aims to provide new quality and designed fenders to a customer base often neglected by a product offering that doesn’t match the quality of the boats they equip.
Equipping an exceptional boat or yacht cannot be done with just any product. It must be designed both technically and, above all, aesthetically to enhance the boats it equips. Too often, we see beautiful boats under-equipped or, at the very least, equipped with products that detract from their aesthetics. With its Prestige range, Fendsea makes fenders an exceptional product to be selected with as much care and pleasure as the other equipment on your boat.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
H.d.M: Fendsea has a global presence, reflecting the international nature of the nautical industry. With 70% of its sales in Europe, Fendsea’s main market to date is the Mediterranean market. Time and again, market demand has been driven by the American and Asian markets, which will be key targets in the coming years.
Fendsea follows a fully international communication strategy, ensuring its presence at the most prominent nautical trade shows worldwide. We actively participate in major events such as the Monaco Yacht Show, the Cannes Yachting Festival, Boot Düsseldorf, and METSTRADE in Amsterdam. These strategic shows are essential to our marketing and business development efforts, providing valuable opportunities to showcase our products, engage with a global audience, and build relationships with industry professionals. By consistently attending these high-profile events, Fendsea reinforces its position as a key player in the international yachting market, enabling us to stay at the forefront of trends, innovations, and customer needs. This strategy is a key driver of our brand’s global visibility and growth.
What can you tell us about market trends?
G.L: Although the yachting industry is experiencing a market slowdown, Fendsea’s growth remains unaffected. Boat protection is essential for all boaters, and despite the reduction in boat sales, the budget for boat equipment is increasing per boater. This presents a concrete opportunity for our company, which is focused on expanding its global presence and increasing market share.
Fendsea operates in a dynamic and growing market for fenders, serving a vast global audience. On average, each boat requires 8 fenders, highlighting the essential nature of this product in the nautical industry. Globally, there are 4.7 million boats over 24 meters in length and 29.7 million boats under 24 meters, offering a significant opportunity for growth in both segments. As the demand for high-quality fenders continues to rise with the expanding boating community, Fendsea is well-positioned to cater to these needs, providing superior protection and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of boats worldwide. This extensive market, combined with the essential role fenders play in boat maintenance, creates a solid foundation for Fendsea’s continued success and expansion in the industry.
What estimations do you have for the beginning of 2025?
H.d.M: Since its inception, Fendsea has experienced genuine success and established strong legitimacy with its innovative approach to boaters. The years 2023 and 2024 were dedicated to research and development, as well as real-world testing with beta testers. The feedback from our clients exceeded our expectations, especially after testing our products during Storm Ciaran. Unlike many competing products, Fendsea fenders performed exceptionally well and continue to be in use on the water today. This real-world validation reinforces the reliability and quality of our products, proving Fendsea’s commitment to providing boaters with top-tier protection, even in the most challenging conditions.
The year 2025 represents a pivotal moment for Fendsea, as it is a year focused on deepening our connection with the market. Our new cylindrical inflatable fender range has generated significant demand, both among the general public and industry professionals. In particular, shipyards and boat manufacturers are excited about this new offering, recognizing it as an excellent opportunity to differentiate their products. By customizing Fendsea’s fenders with their own brand designs, they can create a unique and personalized touch for their vessels.
The customization options provided by Fendsea are a real value-added benefit for boat manufacturers. Not only can they enhance the aesthetic appeal of their boats, but they can also use the fenders as a highly effective marketing tool. With the ability to feature logos, slogans, or even boat names, these fenders become a mobile form of communication that promotes the manufacturer’s brand wherever the boat goes. This transforms our fenders into more than just functional items; they become an integral part of the boat’s branding and identity, helping manufacturers to build a stronger presence in the market.
With 2025 set to be a year of great opportunity, Fendsea is excited to support our partners in making their products truly stand out on the water.