Maritimo looks to the future
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Australia’s premier manufacturer of long-range luxury motoryachts, Maritimo, is looking to the future by investing heavily in Research and Development over the coming years.
Maritimo CEO and legendary boat designer and builder Bill Barry-Cotter said that the company will spend $10million on R&D over the next financial year: “We have a five-year plan which includes that $10million,” said Mr Barry-Cotter. “And by the Sydney Boat Show 2009 we will have seven all-new models on the water. This is not a rebadging exercise, they are brand new models to co-exist with our current range.”
Mr Barry-Cotter was speaking at the launching of the first of these new models, the C55 Sports Cabriolet.
Maritimo C55 Sports Cabriolet
Even though Bill Barry-Cotter has been building boats for over three decades, he doesn’t look like slowing down. Still heavily involved in Offshore Power Boat racing, Mr Barry-Cotter will campaign a Maritimo-built Offshore Powerboat in the 2009 season.
The new boat, built at the Maritimo manufacturing facility, will be capable of speeds in excess of 260km/h. Sitting beside Bill in the race boat with long-time friend and throttle-man Ross (Rossco) Willaton.
When not racing, Mr Barry-Cotter spends most of his time at the Maritimo factories at Coomera and Hope Island on the Gold Coast. Rarely will he be found in an office, preferring to be personally involved with the manufacture of his beloved Maritimos.
Although some of the new models will remain secret for the present time, Maritimo Marketing Director Luke Durman confirmed that the new line-up will include three new Aegean Flybridge models, two new Sports Cabriolets and the mighty flagship, the 73 Cruising Motor Yacht: “At the end of this current financial situation, Maritimo will have a range of boats that will be the envy of boat builders worldwide and we will be in an excellent position for the market upturn,” said Mr Durman.
Maritimo 73 Cruising Motoryacht
Restructuring the company has played a big role in the bright future for Maritimo said Mr Durman: “We have restructured the labour divisions and rather than let good people go, we have rechanneled them into research and development,” he said.
With seven new models, a restructured workforce and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, Maritimo looks set to take on not only the Australian luxury cruiser market, but markets all over the world.
“We have dealers in America, South-East Asia, Europe, South Africa and New Zealand,” said Mr Durman. “And our new products will certainly help to grow those export markets.”
For More Information:
Geoff Middleton
Maritimo Offshore Pty Ltd
Phone: 0439 857904
Email: middo59@optusnet.com.au
Web: www.maritimo.com.au