Southampton 2009

Confidence returns to Southampton

By IBI Magazine

The 41st PSP Southampton Boat Show closed on Sunday with final attendance figures of 121,671 — a 2.3 per cent increase from the 121,389 people that attended last year's event.

According to show organiser National Boat Shows (NBS), exhibitors displayed a mood of 'cautious optimism', with many reporting strong sales. More than 500 exhibitors and almost 1,000 boats were on show, ranging from 1.6m (5ft) inflatables to 39.6m (130ft) motoryachts priced at £10.6m.

"I believe this show proves the resilience and innovative nature of the British marine industry," says NBS chairman Paul Strzelecki. "To have such a positive show in the current economic climate is remarkable and we are delighted with the number of visitors who have come to enjoy it and, importantly, make purchases."

Feedback from exhibitors confirms that the show, which ran for 10 days from September 11-20, ended on a high note.

Marine upholstery and equipment supplier Toomer & Hayter, for example, reported a 50 per cent uplift in year-on-year sales and yacht brokers Boatshed.com have secured sales or offers on more than 60 boats throughout the course of the show — its best-ever result at Southampton.

"We were very apprehensive going into the show, but we have come out of it delighted," says Frank Stevens of Crownline. "We're pleased with the numbers and also the quality of visitor. We've achieved twice as many sales as we did at the 2008 PSP Southampton Boat Show."

Ian Braham, head of Marine Finance at Lombard, adds: "We are very pleased with the results achieved at the show. There has clearly been an improvement in customer confidence, which has resulted in us exceeding last year's value of finance applications by 32 per cent. This is a positive sign for the industry."

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(22 September 2009)

British Yards into 2010

'Steady as we go' into 2010 for British yards

By IBI Magazine

The UK's major yacht builders — Fairline, Sunseeker, Princess and Sealine — are presenting new models at the ongoing Southampton boat show and expressing cautious optimism for 2010.

Derek Carter, CEO of Fairline, presented the Squadron 65 at the south coast show and announced that the Targa 58 would be launched at London in December and the Squadron 41 in mid-2010. Three additional boats are currently in development.

"The range was shrunk back to eight boats in 2008," Carter said at a press briefing. "But it will be back up to 11 in 2010-2011, when our average boat-life will be 2.5 years. We hope this moment will coincide with the market picking back up."

Sunseeker brought its production schedule forward by six months to present four world exclusives at Southampton — the 54, 60 and 130 Predator and the 80 Yacht.

"We've grown as a company, not declined," founder and managing director Robert Braithwaite said of the past year. "Over the next two years we have the 150ft-180ft Zeus range to introduce."

Princess unveiled the V78 (pictured) and the 78 Motor Yacht at Southampton and underlined the importance of product development during the downturn.

"Everyone's been talking about a difficult year," Simon Clare, head of marketing at Princess, told the press. "We're very conscious of investing in new products and new models. Today we're seeing the fruits of that investment."

Clare also mentioned Princess's plans to launch 32m (105ft) and 40m (131ft) models.

Managing director at Sealine Steve Coultate said that his company had 'got it right' with 'early and decisive' decisions at the beginning of the downturn.

"Worldwide dealer stock inventory is down by 45 per cent, which helps further down the chain and maintains strength in trading," he said at a press briefing. "We've centralised all manufacturing onto the one site, invested in new products and created more value for the clients through efficiency."

Sealine unveiled the F46 at Southampton. The company says its new products are outperforming the market by 10-20 per cent.

The PSP Southampton Boat Show runs from September 11-20 and this year features 500 exhibitors and almost 1,000 boats on show.

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2009 Survey of Marine Business in South West

Bishop Fleming releases survey results

By IBI Magazine

According to a recent survey conducted by UK accountancy firm Bishop Fleming, around 59 per cent of Britain's South West marine businesses believe that their sector will not emerge from the recession until next year, or the year after.

Most respondents, at 57 per cent, have had their sales affected by the recession — almost a quarter (23 per cent) have seen sales reduced by one-tenth, while 16 per cent report sales down by a quarter.

"Almost three-quarters of our respondents said that the marine sector is not getting the recognition of its role in the South West's economy, compared to tourism, agriculture, telecom-technology, and renewable energy," says Charlie Thomson, the partner heading Bishop Fleming's marine sector team.

"More than half (57 per cent) observed that the South West Regional Development Agency had identified the marine sector for priority focus, but have seen little practical funding aid. A further 30 per cent suggested that all the reasons for the Government to support the motor industry, like the scrapping scheme, should also apply to the marine industry in the South West."

Meanwhile, 31 per cent of South West marine businesses have already had to lay off staff, and a further 30 per cent are now considering job cuts.

Nevertheless, the survey reveals an underlying confidence in the future. Some 24 per cent of respondents said that, although the region is losing some good businesses in the recession, others are investing in new ideas and new markets, ready for the upturn.


(15 September 2009)