The 11th International Breakfast Meeting, organised by EBI in collaboration with boot Düsseldorf, brought together industry leaders to discuss how to future-proof boat manufacturing in Europe. With attendance capped at around 200 participants, the meeting was oversubscribed for the first time, underlining the strong demand for a focused exchange on market outlook, competitiveness and strategy.

The programme opened with reflections from boot Düsseldorf Director Petros Michelidakis and EBI President Robert Marx on the sector’s resilience and the value of using challenging market moments to reflect, plan and innovate. EBI Secretary-General Philip Easthill then presented updated figures on the European leisure marine sector and the latest trends captured through the EBI Economic Index, highlighting an annual European turnover of €45.56 billion and around 241,000 people employed, alongside a data-based snapshot of business sentiment and the market context facing manufacturers.

A key moment of the morning was an on-stage interview with Constantin Buschmann, CEO of Brabus, offering an external perspective from the premium automotive and mobility sectors. The discussion explored how Brabus has expanded its brand into new product areas while preserving its identity, and highlighted lessons on product positioning, communication and customer expectations. Buschmann also pointed to the cost impact of regulatory compliance and the importance of drawing inspiration across sectors.

The meeting concluded with a CEO-level exchange on Europe’s manufacturing priorities, bringing together Erna Rusi (Saxdor Yachts), Fabio Planamente (Cantiere del Pardo) and Norbert Leifeld (Bavaria Yachts). The panel discussion touched on evolving customer expectations, the growing role of digital connectivity and onboard workspaces, and how to balance specification choices and cost pressures while keeping boats accessible and competitive.