The precision of craftsmanship,

the reliability of a manufacturer

NV (originally Normandie Voile), was created in 1977 by a couple with a passion for sailing, Jean-Yves and Josette Chevalier, and the adventure began with craft sailmaking in Ouistreham in Normandy. Because they were enthusiastic sailors first and foremost, they had the bright idea to create sailing equipment, to protect themselves better on board and make the most of their passion for sailing.

Jean-Yves Chevalier was a passionate inventor, and he came up with the first sprayhood for his own use, to protect from sea spray and the vagaries of the weather at sea. He then diversified it into three sizes, to be sold through a network of retailers.

The two managers decided to give up sailmaking and devote themselves entirely to designing and manufacturing boat protections. NVequipment moved to the Vendée region in western France and started working with French manufacturers. This gave rise to the first biminitop, created in 1992 for one of the largest rental fleets.

Pascal Cardi bought the company with the desire to continue past investments to modernize and simplify the industrial processes, optimize the working conditions of employees and bring an international dimension to the company.

With the aim of being as close as possible to boat owners and provide assistance to its professional customers, NVequipment created its first website. Through its constant contact with recreational boat owners, NVequipment quickly understood that the needs and the equipment were different depending on sailing practices but also wanted to offer universal products in a range to fit all models of boat.

Application for certification stemmed from the desire to promote and certify the quality of NV’s know-how and skills. A quality management system was set up in to boost productivity and performance.

While NV places great importance on transparency and proximity to its customers, and the quality and design of its products are also key in providing customers top-of-the-range outdoor protection, the cmpany is also attentive to new trends in technology. It was inevitable that NV would explore virtual reality and wide use of social media.

At NVequipment we have run our own internal training school, called “the NV School”, which trains new people in our business. Newcomers start their NV experience on products without arches, and, depending on their progress, they can specialize. In particular, we help them to get to know NV technical vocabulary and the design office drawings. We employ all levels of people, from the very young who have just graduated to people looking to change jobs.

Increasingly large metal structures, growing NV teams, a desire to expand internationally… all these reasons led NVequipment to invest in a new production area: the mechanics workshop.

We like to remain close to our users and pay attention to their expectations, in particular the owners of second-hand boats. For this reason, we have developed a range of simple, ingenious, marine products that are lightweight, compatible with a large number of boats, and eco-designed. True to our values, we also get skippers involved in the development of each product. In this way, we can provide equipment that matches the experience of everyone at sea.

Over 45 years, NVequipment has built an independent business model that combines traditional craftsmanship with industrial performance. The NV brand is now a guarantee of precision know-how customised to each request or each project. The wide range of equipment for boat and crew is entirely designed and manufactured in-house, in the company’s design office, canvas workshop or mechanical workshop. To achieve this, NVequipment relies on the expertise of 180 employees. The excellence developed by the company over 45 years has received the recognition of a French label: Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant. This highly demanding label promotes French companies with exceptional industrial or artisanal know-how and highlights the high added value of “Made in France”.

Focussed on the well-being of its teams, NV has invested in the working conditions of its employees: workstation layout, digitalization, automation, etc. The stitching workshop and the mechanicd workshop have undergone significant changes to adapt workstations to the workshop’s expansion. Recruitment, investment in screens for reading drawings, our teams have gained in comfort and in productivity. CAD (computer-aided design), virtual reality, digital cutting, … the workstations are changing.

After building its reputation on custom boat covers designed for specific models, NVequipment decided to take things a step further: making its expertise available to a wider range of boats. With the FLEX by NV range, all our data, designs, and feedback from the field have been put to use to create adaptable, reliable, and long-lasting boat covers. This product line can be used for a wide range of boats, when no custom models are available, all with the hallmarks of the NV brand: quality, ease of use, style and durability.