British quality highlighted during the Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence 2015
Last week the British Marine Federation (BMF) and group association Superyacht UK (SYUK) gave nearly 20 international delegates the opportunity to visit and network with a number of key British companies who provide superior quality products and services for the superyacht industry.
The Tour visited a range of BMF members, from designers through to shipbuilders over the course of a week, to see firsthand the quality of British products and craftsmanship coming out of the UK. Site visits during the week included trips to Sunseeker International, Solent Refit, Green Marine, Oyster Yachts, BMT Nigel Gee, Oceanair Marine, Lewmar, Magma Structures, Design Unlimited, Dixon Yacht Design, Pendennis Shipyard and Princess Yachts. Allan Foot of Solent Refit, who gave the delegates a tour of its facilities, commented: “The Tour was a great success for us in that we made several contacts that we would have otherwise been unlikely to have made, these have already begun to flower into very positive potential clients.”
Delegates also had the opportunity to network with some 50 key businesses at two specially organised Showcase evenings which took place at the Botley Park Hotel in Southampton and at the new hospitality suite at Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth. Mike Carr, Chairman of SYUK and Joint MD of Pendennis Shipyard, said: “It was fantastic to welcome the Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence to Pendennis. This event provides an ideal opportunity to showcase British superyacht skills and capabilities and we were very pleased to introduce the new Pendennis facilities, wet basin and current projects under build or refit to the group.”
Colin Savage from Morson Projects added: “For Morson Projects the evening event at Botley Park Hotel in Southampton was an excellent opportunity to meet a number of important individuals and companies within the Marine Industry. As a company who are working to expand our capabilities into this sector we found it very useful to talk with the delegates and understand their requirements. We feel we have made some good contacts and have been invited to follow up on some of these with visits to the delegates facilities to look at what opportunities exist to work together.”
Marianne Richards of Hill Robinson and SYUK Tour delegate added: “As an Expat I was most impressed with what was presented to us during the Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence. On a whirlwind tour of the industry, we met many passionate professionals only too happy to share the love of their product or the service they provide. I was particularly impressed with the effort being put into training staff for the future (e.g. Pendennis apprenticeship scheme) and most of the work force we met were obviously happy in their work and proud of the end product. I certainly left the Tour wanting to promote UK business – it all felt very positive and I am very pleased to have been included.”
Tom Chant, International Development Manager at the BMF and SYUK said: “The Superyacht sector is a British success story, having grown to a value of £492 million in 2013/14, a 7.1% increase from 2012/13, and employing just under 3,700 people. It is important to continue to promote this sector and last week’s event was a fantastic showcase and a great opportunity for British companies to network with potential buyers.”
-ENDS-
For more information or alternative images please contact Camilla Colborne at ccolborne@britishmarine.co.uk or call 01784 223614.
Further quotes from the Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence are available here: http://britishmarine.co.uk/News-and-Press/2015/April/British-quality-highlighted-during-last-weeks-Superyacht-UK-Tour-of-Excellence
Notes to editors:
Superyacht UK, part of the British Marine Federation, is the association supporting superyacht businesses in the UK, comprising naval architects, designers, service, finance and legal companies, equipment manufacturers and superyacht yards. For more information, visit: www.superyachtuk.com. To download the full Superyacht UK Survey 2013/2014 please visit: http://britishmarine.co.uk/Publications/Statistics-and-Market-Research
The British Marine Federation has over 1,500 members representing an industry employing more than 31,500 people in the UK. Members are drawn from both the seagoing and inland sectors of the marine industry covering the leisure boat, hire fleet, commercial workboat and superyacht categories and supporting services. For more information about the work of the BMF and how to join, please visit the website: www.britishmarine.co.uk.
DELEGATE QUOTES
Darren Nightingale, Global Explorer Yachts
“The tour was expertly put together and organized. For me to travel to the UK to visit potential suppliers dotted around the country is not time or expense efficient. This was really well done and had many companies that we will go on to make contracts with for this and our future builds down the line. I could not recommend this event highly enough to people that work in the superyacht sector, especially in construction, to get an overall view of what the UK can produce and make personal contacts with various suppliers and yards.”
Marianne Richards, Hill Robinson Yacht Management Consultants
“As an Expat I was most impressed with what was presented to us during the Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence. On a whirlwind tour of the industry, we met many passionate professionals only too happy to share the love of their product or the service they provide. I was particularly impressed with the effort being put into training staff for the future (e.g. Pendennis apprenticeship scheme) and most of the work force we met were obviously happy in their work and proud of the end product. I certainly left the Tour wanting to promote UK business – it all felt very positive and I am very pleased to have been included.”
SHOWCASE COMPANIES TESTIMONIALS
James Hall, Spinlock: “The showcase evening at the Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence at Pendennis was a great opportunity for Spinlock to meet some key influencers in the global superyacht sector in relaxed and informal surroundings. With busy schedules, meeting contacts like these is often difficult, so for the BMF to have bought such a group together for its members is another example of the great benefits offered to its member group.”
Ben Metcalfe, Landau UK: “Thanks to BMF for a great evening at the Superyacht Tour of Excellence. As SYUK members the showcase event proved a success for Landau UK to present our latest products and services; from the high performance Seabob dive jet, to our full interior fit-out solutions. The event was also an ideal opportunity to discuss current and future projects with international marine delegates and network with other exhibitors for potential partnerships. We hope both will develop into successful working relationships. Thanks again and we look forward to attending the next one!”
Colin Savage, Morson Projects: “For Morson Projects the evening event at Botley Park Hotel in Southampton was an excellent opportunity to meet a number of important individuals and companies within the Marine Industry. As a company who are working to expand our capabilities into this sector we found it very useful to talk with the delegates and understand their requirements. We feel we have made some good contacts and have been invited to follow up on some of these with visits to the delegates facilities to look at what opportunities exist to work together.”
Ken Hickling, Akzo Nobel: “Good evening and a very solid format. Plenty of opportunities to chat without being rushed and it is always good to make new contacts.”
Steve Monk, Da Gama Maritime: “We at Da Gama Maritime found the event extremely beneficial and an ideal opportunity to capture the right individuals in a situation where more time could be spent explaining the benefits of our services and how they would fit their requirements. It was a more relaxed environment where they were keen to listen and not being pressured to move on.”
Andrew J Sims, Bucklers Hard Fabrications: “Bucklers Hard Fabrications had a positive event, making contacts both in the superyacht fabrication sector and with the Prop Deflector product. The venue gave an amazing backdrop to the evening and the good business opportunities; we look forward to taking part again.”
Bryan Jones, Sunseeker International: “The tour provides an exceptional opportunity for Sunseeker to showcase its world-class design & manufacturing capability to a host of captains, owner representatives and yacht management representatives. Promoting the UK leisure marine industry is essential in maintaining our collective reputation and SYUK deliver year after year.”
Toby Allies, Pendennis Shipyard: “It was fantastic to welcome the Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence to Pendennis. This event provides an ideal opportunity to showcase British superyacht skills and capabilities and we were very pleased to introduce the new Pendennis facilities, wet basin and current projects under build or refit to the group.”
Allan Foot, Solent Refit: “Thanks to the BMF for its efforts with the Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence. I think that it was a great success for us in that we made several contacts that we would have otherwise been unlikely to have made, these have already begun to flower into very positive potential clients. I thank you and all at BMF for their efforts in putting together such a useful delegate attendance.”
Alice Schwausch, BMT Nigel Gee Ltd: “BMT Nigel Gee were delighted to take part and sponsor the Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence. It was a great event where delegates had chance to view the fantastic services available within the UK and hopefully build long-lasting intercompany relationships.”