Maritimo stalwarts cast off
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Kendal Barry-Cotter has announced his retirement to staff at
luxury boat builder Maritimo.
Younger brother of Maritimo founder and CEO Bill Barry-Cotter,
Kendal has worked with his brother since 1986 and played a vital
role at the company in financial administration.
"Bill is a legendary boat builder," said Kendal. "My job was to
make sure every boat was costed correctly and keep Bill informed
about our margins."
According to Bill Barry-Cotter, Kendal's role was critical in
keeping Maritimo profitable, particularly during the past two
years.
"He could tell me if a new concept was viable," said Bill. "He
would show us where and how to save money and deliver the best
quality and the most competitive prices. We will miss Kendal, but
he has also handed down a wealth of knowledge to our team who can
now pick up the reins.
"They have big shoes to fill."
Kendal said he cherished the opportunity to work alongside Bill
as Maritimo grew from lines on a piece of paper to an award-winning
first model.
"They were heady days," he remembered. "We launched into a very
competitive business with a new idea. This would be the boat Bill
always wanted to build. Our market research told us the market also
wanted it. And the results have proven us right."
Kendal had his own sail-making business in northern Sydney and
successfully raced sail boats before joining Bill.
"He asked me over and over to join him. I said 'make me an offer
I can't refuse'. Finally in 1986 he did!"
Bill Barry-Cotter also announced the retirement of long-time
media consultant Brian Harrower.
"Brian has worked with us for 12 years and was instrumental in
quickly gaining a public profile for Maritimo when we launched
seven years ago," said Bill.
"The launch of Maritimo was one of the highlights of my career,"
said Brian. "It was extraordinary to be a part of a new company, a
new brand and a new concept of long-range cruiser.
"One of the secret's of Bill's success is that he values
experience very highly. He has a team around him who, collectively,
have hundreds of years of boat building experience. He could not
have taken Maritimo from an idea to a world-renowned brand in a few
short years without them."