Gold Coast luxury boat builder Maritimo in aggressive expansion

A prominent Gold Coast boat builder is in the hunt for new staff as it doubles its manufacturing base due to soaring sales.

A Gold Coast boat builder closing in on a multimillion-dollar expansion is doubling its manufacturing base, boosting overseas exports and is on a recruitment drive.

Maritimo has been aggressively growing its factory footprint at its Coomera Marine Precinct base since late 2017 in a project on track to be completed early next year.

MARITIMO SNAPS UP SITE

BOAT BUILDER’S BIG BOAT SHOW PLAY

The company founded by industry doyen Bill Barry-Cotter bought a 3.09 hectare commercial site in 2017 on McPhail Road, adjoining its Waterways Drive factory and doubling its manufacturing base.

Maritimo operations general manager Phil Candler (left), lead designer Tom Barry-Cotter and CEO Garth Corbitt at the boat builder's new expanded manufacturing base sheds which has almost doubled its factory footprint at Coomera Marine Precinct Picture: Murray Waite

The expansion, which Mr Barry-Cotter has previously described as the company’s most significant investment and growth project since he started Maritimo 17 years ago, comes as sales have surged 30 per cent this year and it looks to grow its 200-strong workforce.

Mr Barry-Cotter said the completed manufacturing plant would cover 4.664 hectares and be one of the most advanced in the industry.

“This new facility has enabled us to streamline and refine how we design and manufacture boats and at the same time dramatically improve the working environment for our people,” he said.

Maritimo lead designer Tom Barry-Cotter (left), operations general manager Phil Candler and CEO Garth Corbitt at the boat builder's new expanded manufacturing base which has almost doubled its factory footprint at Coomera Marine Precinct Picture: Murray Waite

Maritimo CEO Garth Corbitt said the completion of the new manufacturing facility would come as Maritimo’s global expansion was stepped up and followed its most successful year ever in 2018 with record sales globally.

“Ongoing the company will continue to market approximately half of the vessels we produced internationally,” Mr Corbitt said.

“Our new improved base will enable us to do that efficiently and cost effectively ultimately resulting in a better product for our customers and a better environment for our people,” he said.

A key part of the expansion involved relocating the product and design team from Maritimo’s Hope Harbour facility to the Waterways Drive base.

Maritimo operations general manager Phil Candler said the company wanted to hire 10 more apprentices and 30 to 40 skilled tradespeople for 2019.

The extra skilled trades staff, to help keep pace with ramped up production, were needed for cabinet making, electrical and boat building.

Renders of Gold Coast luxury boat builder Maritimo with its multimillion-dollar expansion at Waterways Drive growing onto new site on McPhail Road, back onto the Maritimo factory. PICTURE: Render by Darren Gill, Oska Studio

Mr Candler said the expansion enabled Maritimo to grow and increase the size of vessels “as and when it saw fit” without having to make significant factory changes.

Mr Barry-Cotter said Maritimo’s record 2018 in sales involved $40 million in deals at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Maritimo had an order book taking it through to 2020.