ePropulsion has appointed Yann Herriot as Global OEM Director, strengthening the company’s focus on working directly with boatbuilders, designers and dealer networks as electric propulsion becomes more deeply integrated into new-yacht development. The appointment was announced on 7 September 2026.
Herriot’s remit is broader than selling propulsion units to yards after a boat has already been designed. ePropulsion says he will lead its global OEM strategy and develop closer relationships with shipyards, naval architects and designers so propulsion and energy-management systems can be considered earlier in vessel development.
Boatbuilding and electrical experience combined
Herriot brings experience across electrical engineering, energy management, boatbuilding and marine technical services. His background includes work with power systems, energy storage and renewable technologies, giving him experience on both the electrical and practical boatbuilding sides of marine electrification.
He also founded Orphie Boats, an electric-boat start-up created to develop a cleaner day-boating solution. That project gave him first-hand exposure to design, construction and installation of electric propulsion rather than only the supply of individual components.
OEM relationships become more important
As propulsion becomes more integrated with batteries, charging, hotel loads and onboard energy management, suppliers increasingly need to work with builders before the machinery layout is fixed. Herriot’s role is intended to support that closer collaboration and help ensure systems are matched to each yacht’s requirements.
ePropulsion also wants to strengthen its links with boatbuilder dealer networks. Dealers and service organisations see how systems perform in real-world ownership, giving manufacturers feedback that can influence future installation, support and product decisions.
ePropulsion expands beyond electric motors
The appointment comes as ePropulsion broadens its portfolio from electric propulsion into integrated marine-energy solutions. The company has spent 15 years developing propulsion products and is now placing greater emphasis on how energy generation, storage and consumption are managed across the vessel.
For luxury-yacht builders below 24 metres, that direction is significant because electrification is increasingly a whole-boat engineering question. A supplier able to support builder, designer, dealer and owner through the same architecture may have an advantage as hybrid and electric options move into repeatable production models.
Shipyard integration will define the next stage
The success of the role will be visible in future production-yacht partnerships rather than in the appointment itself. Electric propulsion becomes easier for owners to accept when the builder has engineered the batteries, charging, controls and service network as a complete system.
Herriot’s combination of technical and boatbuilding experience gives ePropulsion a route to engage yards earlier in that process. The resulting installations will show whether the company can translate rapid product development into durable OEM relationships across different yacht categories.
