The Aqualung Group initiated a global plan 8 months ago, “Horizon 2027,” aimed at expanding its global leadership position in diving equipment, including for military and professional applications, as well as high-performance water sports products. The renewed executive team, led by Bruno Cercley, President and CEO since December 2022, is coordinating comprehensive work streams for sustainable growth over the next 5 years following the difficult Covid and post-Covid periods. At the heart of the transformation plan are 24 major projects aimed at improving the company’s performance at all levels. With initiatives in cost improvement, information systems, marketing, finance, product innovation, product lines, distribution, new headquarters in France, and more, ongoing efforts are already showing significant results.
Strengthened by the expectation of a full recovery in sales and profitability ahead of Covid-19 this year, the group is well-positioned to deliver double-digit growth in 2023 compared to 2022. It is already forecasting 30 percent growth in 2023 compared to 2020, which was impacted by the Covid crisis. Aqualung Group expects its core business (diving equipment segment) to grow by 7.5 percent in the first half of 2023 compared to the corresponding period in 2022. Despite continued tight supply in certain categories, such as like neoprene suits and buoyancies, the group says it remains poised for sustained growth.
“We are making great strides on all fronts as we continuously strive for improvement,” Cercley commented. “We have streamlined our offer, invested in new product innovations, simplified our processes and organizations. Aqualung Group, since the Cousteau ’épopée,’ has developed for more than 80 years its worldwide leading position, investing progressively in the manufacturing of all key categories used in Scuba diving and performance water sports in particular […].”
Aqualung pioneered the development of modern diving equipment in 1943, when Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau, together with Emile Gagnan, developed the first diving equipment that made underwater exploration a reality. Today, the brand continues to be recognized as a leading designer and manufacturer of diving and watersports equipment. During a keynote in Carlsbad, California, on May 2, the group unveiled new products that have the potential to set new market standards. These included the new DSX Apeks computer, the Aquasphere DEFY Ultra swim mask and the Aqualung Helix Compact Pro regulator. The group offers recreational, swim, technical and military products under the Aqualung, Aquasphere, Apeks, O.ME.R, US Divers and Stohlquist brands in over 100 countries worldwide.
