Oct 31, 2017

The shortlisted nominations for the third Boat Builder Awards for business achievement have been announced. With more than 100 entries received, the 21 shortlisted companies named by the judges have already achieved notable success at this stage and it is from this group that the Winners and Special Mentions will be announced on November 15th in Amsterdam.

Now in its third year the prestigious Boat Builder Awards is jointly organised by IBI magazine and METSTRADE, in association with Raymarine. It recognises and rewards the outstanding business achievements of individuals and teams across key areas in the global leisure boatbuilding industry. Between 250 and 300 guests are expected to attend an extraordinary gala dinner celebration, which is held under the glittering dome of the National Maritime Museum.

The shortlist is as follows:

Boat Builder International Distributor/Dealer Development
sponsored by Lumishore
Correct Craft
Fairline Yachts

Boat Builder & Equipment Manufacturer Collaborative Solution
sponsored by Ultraflex
Multiplast and Beneteau
Naviop and Ferretti
Next Four Solutions and Buster Boats
Torqeedo and Zodiac

Best Apprenticeship Scheme
sponsored by Marine Resources
Nobiskrug
Sunseeker International
Ta Shing Yachts

Innovative Onboard Design Solution
sponsored by Fusion
Buster Boats
Ferretti Group
KM Yachtbuilders
Sunseeker International

Innovation in a Production Process
sponsored by Dometic
Azimut Yachts
Bavaria Yachts

Environmental Initiative Award
sponsored by UCINA
Campion Marine
Eco Sail The World
The Hinkley Company

Retail Marketing Initiative
sponsored by RAI Amsterdam
Azimut Yachts
Brunswick Boat Group
Dominator Yachts

Lifetime Achievement Award
sponsored by Side-Power

The evening culminates with the much-anticipated Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in the previous two years to Paolo Vitelli, founder and chairman of Azimut Benetti, and to Robert Braithwaite, CBE, founder of Sunseeker International.

Chair of the judging panel and IBI Editor, Ed Slack, commented: “We have continued to see growth in the number of entries for the Boat Builder Awards and we are seeing impressive examples of innovation, marketing, training and collaboration throughout the sector. Many entries demonstrate a real focus on addressing the changing social trends and demands of the industry’s customers that we at IBI are constantly monitoring globally. Companies in our industry need to be bold, co-operate well together and invest in their research, development, promotion efforts and staff skills. The Boat Builder Awards celebrates notable examples of the huge efforts that are being made in each of these areas.”