Smooth sailing for luxury boat builder Riviera

Gold Coast luxury boat builder Riviera Australia has had another busy year delivering more than 150 vessels to customers around the globe despite supply chain challenges.

Gold Coast luxury boat builder Riviera Australia has had another busy year delivering more than 150 vessels to customers around the globe despite supply chain challenges.

The Coomera-based company reported a 12 per cent increase in revenue during the most recent financial year to $233.4m, according to its financial report lodged with ASIC. Profit for the group after tax rose to $3.83m from $3.2m the previous year.

Riviera managing director Rodney Longhurst says that despite supply chain delays and other challenges, it has been another good year for the 900-strong team at the firm.

“When we attend boat shows around the world, it’s like our World Cup and we are showcasing motor yachts that all of you played a part in creating,” Longhurst told a staff Christmas lunch. “We are the Aussie battler standing tall beside the best in the world.”

Riviera during the year launched its flagship 78 Motor Yacht - the largest ever built by Riviera - together with three other models.

Luxury motor yacht builder Riviera has had a good year.

“We are always delighted when we see and hear about the adventures of our Riviera owners as they take their yachts to explore some of the most fascinating and beautiful waterways of the world,” he says. “From Roche Harbour in the Pacific Northwest to the Bahamas and Great Barrier Reef, the Riviera family enjoys a very special bond.”

Longhurst says the boat builder has hired more than 300 new workers over the past two years to meet growing demand. “Today more than 100 apprentices are being trained across the full spectrum of skills and crafts from boatbuilding, engineering and electrical to timber and composite machinists and upholstery,” he says.

It’s hard to believe that a decade ago, the company, which numbers Hollywood celebrities among its customers, was teetering on the brink of collapse, weighed down with $320 million of debt in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis. Riviera, which Mr Longhurst rescued out of receivership in March 2012, is planning an even bigger 2023.

Going local

Brisbane-based cloud hosting and web development company ATech has had a big win after being named a preferred provider by local councils under the Local Buy program. Local Buy was established by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) to help both councils and businesses with the procurement process. Since 2001, it has helped to reduce the risk, time and costs associated with internal procurement processes for its government clients.

ATech managing director Sarah-Jane Peterschlingmann says the firm looked forward to more business opportunities and brand visibility with local councils.

ATech boss Sarah-Jane Peterschlingmann

“ATech has worked with all levels of the government for many years,” she says. “Our website hosting enables Brisbane City Council, Australia’s largest local government, to provide timely information to residents, particularly in times of emergency such as severe weather events.” The streamlined procurement process allows councils to access competitive pricing from suppliers through pricing schedules and request for quotes rather than an open tender.

Christmas cheer

Northside charity Aspleycare is well and truly in the festive mood, handing out almost 200 Christmas hampers to struggling families.

The hampers include basic groceries cakes, biscuits and sweets, along with a gift for every child and their parents. Funds were provided from the generous donations from Ray White Aspley Group, Aspley Rotary, Aspley Hornets, Carseldine Bunnings, St Dympnas School and Church and the Apostolic Church Buranda.

City Beat wishes all our valued readers a merry and safe Christmas. We will showcase 2022’s winners and losers next Thursday.

Originally published as Smooth sailing for luxury boat builder Riviera