Australian builder fills big U.S. order
GOLD COAST, Australia – North American boat dealers have just made a single purchase order for a range of Australian-built Maritimo “sky lounge cruisers” collectively worth more than $A50 million, the company said in a recent release.
The new boat builder’s biggest single purchase so far came through recently formed U.S. subsidiary, Maritimo USA, which represents a network of dealers spanning the East and West coasts of America, Canada and Mexico.
It is headed by marine industry veteran Dave Northrop, a former vice-president of Tiara Yachts, and is headquartered in Seattle. Northrop said Maritimo’s range of “sky lounge” yachts are built to American Boat and Yacht Council and U.S. Coast Guard regulations.
The bulk purchase must be delivered within 12 months, which indicates the willingness of U.S. buyers to purchase while they have a favourable exchange rate, according to the company.
Maritimo marketing manager Peter Jenkins said the “significant” order is just the tip of the U.S. exports iceberg and will help Bill Barry-Cotter, who owns Maritimo, reach $A200 million turnover a year before he expected.
“Normally it could take an Australian boat builder up to 20 years to reach this revenue, but Maritimo has it in sight within in one-fifth of the time due to changing market dynamics,” said Jenkins. “We became profitable within just six months, and that was ahead of expectations. But the way we set up export agencies around the world even before the boats were ready has helped get the brand recognized.”
Exports to the Americas are expected to increase considerably from the 2007 financial year, while Maritimo is intent on retaining a high proportion of domestic sales.
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