Blohm+Voss has appointed Jean-Gabriel Tridon as managing director and Dieter Pladeck as finance director of Blohm+Voss’s new refit facility in La Ciotat, France. News of these appointments comes two weeks after Blohm+Voss learnt of its tendering victory. The new site will be dedicated to the refit and maintenance of superyachts over 80m.

“We are filling these key positions with familiar faces. We know both Jean-Gabriel Tridon and Dieter Pladeck well and know that they have what it takes to master this challenging position as part of our current growth strategy,” comments Fred van Beers, Blohm+Voss’s CEO.

Tridon, who is a native French speaker and holds degrees in nautical sciences, naval architecture, ocean engineering and marine services, is neither new to the refit industry nor to Blohm+Voss, having worked for the likes of Hapag-Lloyd, Meyer Werft and Blohm+Voss as its dock coordinator in Hamburg from 2009 – 2011 and as a construction manager from 2011 – 2014.

Jean-Gabriel Tridon

“Jean-Gabriel Tridon has a solid background in refits and maintenance of large vessels and is strongly connected within the industry. He also has excellent communication skills in French, German and English and will be able to translate customer demands into quality deliveries in La Ciotat as is expected from Blohm+Voss,” continues van Beers.

Pladeck, a qualified banker and graduate economist, has worked for a number of high-profile companies, including the ThyssenKrupp Group before joining Blohm+Voss in 1998. At Blohm+Voss he has held the positions of general manager and head of finance.

Dieter Pladeck

“Dieter Pladeck knows the financial structures of Blohm+Voss extremely well and has contributed significantly to the preparation process for the new megayacht refit site in La Ciotat,” explains van Beers.

Operational business is due to start at Blohm+Voss’s La Ciotat facility by 1 November 2016. “I am very excited about rejoining Blohm+Voss in the heart of the Mediterranean. The goal is clear: we want to get the facility ready for our customers as soon as possible,” comment Tridon. “Our main focus within the first months will therefore be to set up the facility and the local organisation, and to build a strong network of local suppliers to get the job done.”

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