Jeanneau Sailboats - M. Henri Jeanneau founded a boat company that originally built small, outboard-powered boats in 1956. In the 70s, Jeanneau of Les Herbiers, France, then concentrating primarily on producing fiberglass sailing yachts, was sold to Bangor Punta, then later to Chatellier Industry. In late 1995, an asset purchase of Jeanneau by the other French giant, Beneteau, formed the largest sailboat group to ever exist. Though now owned by a large holding company which includes Beneteau and many other companies, Jeanneau is operated as a completely independent brand with totally separate production facilities and distribution networks.