Nov 20, 2017

By Craig Ritchie

History was made in Amsterdam, Netherlands on November 15 as Campion Marine became the first Canadian company to be honoured at the annual METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement.

The Kelowna, BC-based boat builder was named the winner of the 2017 Award for Best Environmental Initiative, in recognition of its ongoing efforts to incorporate sustainable manufacturing practices and eco-friendly materials into its everyday operations. The Boat Builder Awards judging panel – consisting of an international panel of boating trade representatives – were impressed with Campion’s long history of environmental initiatives, which include pioneering the use of environmentally-sustainable resins, soy-based seat cushion materials and bio-friendly power sources.

The awards were presented at a gala dinner attended by approximately 300 representatives from boat builders and suppliers worldwide, under the glittering dome of Amsterdam’s National Maritime Museum’s central courtyard. This third edition of the Boat Builder Awards received its largest field of entries yet from right across the globe, and most of the categories were closely contested.

NMMA Canada president Sara Anghel was proud to accept the award on behalf of Campion Marine, stepping in for Campion president Brock Elliott who was unable to attend the event due to a prior commitment. The award was presented by Mr. Andrea Razeto, representing category sponsor UCINA.

Organized by IBI magazine and RAI Amsterdam, the METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards were created in 2015 to recognize individual and team successes within the global boat building industry across the eight categories of business achievement. Simply making the short list of nominees is a significant achievement in itself – actually winning an award represents a tremendous accomplishment. “The Boat Builder Awards was conceived to champion the vision and dedication of the people that build boats today and the great efforts they are making to ensure the marine industry continues to provide the right products for its current and future customers,” said IBI editor and chair of the Boat Builder Awards judges, Ed Slack. “Our winning and shortlisted companies this year provided brilliant examples, not only of individual excellence but also the great results that occur when teams and businesses work closely together.”

The full list of category winners and honorable mentions include:

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

Boat Builder International Distributor/Dealer Development
Sponsored ByLumishore
Joint Winner: Correct Craft
Joint Winner: Fairline Yachts

Boat Builder & Equipment Manufacturer Collaborative Solution
Sponsored ByUltraflex
Winner: Multiplast And Groupe Bénéteau
Honourable Mention Torqeedo And Zodiac Nautic Group
Shortlisted: Naviop And Ferretti
Shortlisted: Next Four Solutions AndInha Works

Innovative Onboard Design Solution
Sponsored By Fusion
Winner: Sunseeker International
Honourable Mention: KM Yachtbuilders
Shortlisted: Inha Works
Shortlisted: Ferretti Group

Innovation In A Production Process
Sponsored ByDometic
Winner: Bavaria Yachts
Shortlisted: Azimut Yachts

Environmental Initiative
sponsored by UCINA
Winner: Campion Marine
Shortlisted: Eco Sail The World
Shortlisted: The Hinkley Company

Best Apprenticeship Scheme
Sponsored By Marine Resources
Winner: Sunseeker International
Shortlisted: Nobiskrug
Shortlisted: Ta Shing Yachts

Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored By Side Power
David King, Princess Yachts