Tricon Marine completes Chinese shipyard
ZHUHAI, China and PALM BEACH, Fla. – Tricon Marine, a builder of FRP/Composite luxury yachts up to 180 feet long, has completed construction of China’s first and only North American-owned and operated shipyard, it stated in a recent report.
Yachts currently under construction have been moved to the new facility, including Tricon’s next launch, a 92-foot long-range offshore performance motoryacht commissioned by an undisclosed Tricon client, the company reported. The launch will be unveiled during the official shipyard opening ceremony in the spring of 2009.
The company’s facility in China is designed to cater to OEM manufacturers and personal custom yacht clients “who demand a world-class luxury yacht with superior investment value,” Tricon stated.
“With most segments in the shipbuilding industry contracting and consumers demanding greater value, our timing in offering a solution that addresses these needs and establishes a competitive offering couldn’t be better,” said Christos Livadas, chairman and CEO, Tricon Marine. “We intend to put China on the map as a place for world-class yacht construction as never before. Tricon Marine is committed to strictly adhering to client specifications and contractual obligations while offering unmatched craftsmanship at a price that sets a new value standard in the industry.”
“Ironically, the birth of Tricon Marine comes at a time when it makes the most sense, especially in this worldwide economy,” added Dave Adams, vice president of Tricon Marine. “We are offering the industry a great solution to the pricing-versus-quality challenge that has often been talked about in the yachting business. Clients today want to know that they are getting the best value for their money inch by inch. Consumers are scrutinizing their lifestyle investments more than ever after some of the major financial mishaps of 2008.”
Located just outside the city of Zhuhai in China’s Guangdong province, Tricon’s half-million-square-foot complex is designed to operate at “the highest American and European standards of craftsmanship, cleanliness and security,” according to the company. As part of that commitment, Tricon Marine said it will limit build-slots to a maximum of three yachts in simultaneous production for the next few years. At full capacity, the yard will be the largest for composite yacht construction in China with a production capability of 16 yachts indoors and in-water work on two additional yachts up to 55 meters in length at its pier, according to Tricon. The company said it can complete up to $60 million in work per year depending on the size of the yachts under construction.
Tricon currently has 120 employees and expects to grow its skilled labor pool to 210 workers over the next 18 months. Tricon Marine’s entire office staff uses English to communicate, according to the company, which said all specifications, contracts, change orders and other documents are written in English.
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