Gold Coast luxury boat builder Maritimo expands into new premises - aims for 10pc production boost this year

LUXURY boat builder Maritimo has begun expanding its Coomera base following a major site acquisition.

An artist’s impression of the new Maritimo X60, which will debut at the 2018 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

GOLD Coast luxury boat builder Maritimo has started manufacturing from its expanded premises in Coomera, as the company seeks to boost production by 10 per cent this year.

Earlier this year Maritimo, founded by Bill Barry-Cotter, announced it had purchased a 3.1ha site at 9 McPhail Rd, which neighbours its Coomera base at 15 Waterways Drive, for $6 million.

The investment increased the site of its Coomera manufacturing base to 4.66ha. The company now has 9314sq m of plant space under roof.

As part of the expansion, some of the manufacturing process currently completed at its Hope Island facility called Boatmasters, including stainless-steel, small parts, varnishing and glass, will be moved to the new facility.

MARITIMO EXPANDS COOMERA BASE

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This will be shifted in the next two months.

Maritimo chief executive Garth Corbitt said the company’s global expansion was ongoing and it would continue to market approximately half of the vessels it produced internationally.

He said workforce numbers and production would increase in line with demand and it planned to lift manufacturing by about 10 per cent on the 2017 calendar year.

“We will increase gradually and in a controlled manner with a watchful eye on demand and the style of vessels that are in most demand,” he said.

“The main thing is we now have capacity to strike quickly and effectively when we deem it is the right time to do so.”

The newly bought property comprises a 4267sq m industrial building purpose-built 20 years ago for marine and boatbuilding activities but in more recent times leased to a number of tenants.

The floor footprint of the new property once refurbished is still to be determined. However, part of the manufacturing process was moved to the new facility in February. Plans for additional structures are set to be announced soon.

General manager of operations Phil Candler said the expansion provided an opportunity to rearrange the manufacturing process, increase production, and improve turnaround times.

As part of the reshuffle within Maritimo there has also been a number of management changes. Chris Spriggens has been appointed service and warranty manager, based at Boatmasters.

Kym Fleet has been appointed production manager, responsible for all manufacturing of Maritimo vessels. He will be based at Coomera.

Former Boatmasters manager Gary Klien has been appointed building projects manager, responsible for all new building works at the new property. The Boatmasters facility at Hope Island will be ramped-up to provide a one-stop shop.

The facility and the team that operates from there will provide engine servicing and replacement, vessel restoration/ upgrades, upholstery, sandblasting, painting and anti-fouling.

This year Maritimo plans to unveil a new long-range luxury sport yacht line called the X Series. The first, the $2.2 million X60, will have its world premiere at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show next month.