Coronavirus: Gold Coast boat builder Bill Barry-Cotter saves 300 jobs at Maritimo in COVID-19 crisis

Bill Barry-Cotter has taken a leaf out of a German book to navigate the coronavirus crisis.

LUXURY-boat builder Bill Barry-Cotter has taken a leaf out of a German book to keep the 300 staff at his Maritimo factory in work and safe during the coronavirus epidemic.

The industry veteran has moved the business from one shift to two in a move that means staff are working in groups that are a maximum of four people.

One shift starts at 2am and the other in the afternoon.

Bill Barry-Cotter. Picture: Regi Varghese

“When people finish they have to leave straight away and not mingle with each other or with people from other businesses,” Mr Barry-Cotter said yesterday.

“We’ve also opened all the windows in the offices and turned off the airconditioning.

“The only downside from that has been fumes from passing trucks.”

Mr Barry-Cotter, 76, said the idea for the split shifts came from observing Germany’s NTU group, a maker of marine and other engines, which responded to a near lockdown by introducing the split system. He said the Maritimo staff were happy with the shift arrangement.

Bill Barry-Cotter in front of his Maritimo Sanctuary Cove Experience Centre. Picture: Regi Varghese

“Firstly, they still have a job and, secondly, they are protected.”

Maritimo produces 36 boats a year from its Coomera factory, giving it annual sales of about $80 million. Mr Barry-Cotter said the business had a lot of forward orders.

“Sales in the US still are good, although inquiry from within Australia obviously has slowed.”