International Boat Industry - December 2015

(Grace) #1

34 DECEMBER 2015 | International Boat Industry http://www.ibi-plus.com


Markets & Regions


SPAIN | BARCELONA CLUSTER


de Antonio, founder of De Antonio Yachts, which
builds a range of motorcruisers up to 9.8m (32ft).
“We have recently opened up a new yard
and premises in Barcelona, and one of the main
challenges for us has been trying to find the right
suppliers and the right highly skilled workers who
can work with the advanced technologies that we
use in our engineering and construction. Thanks to
networking within the Clúster we have been able to
find exactly the right people to work with.
“The Clúster is also very helpful when it comes to
training, and research and development. Hiring the
best professionals can also sometimes mean having to
train them to the highest standards. The Clúster has
therefore been developing a demanding new training
program alongside educational institutions in
Barcelona, which will help train the professionals we
will eventually need as our business moves forward.
“The Clúster also works on helping the
transference of technology, innovation and
knowledge between research institutions and
marine companies.


STRONGER TOGETHER
“Everyone at De Antonio Yachts is very proud of
being part of a Barcelona brand, and the associated
values that brings with it, such as modern design. We
believe that by being part of the Barcelona Clúster
Nàutic’s we can all work together for the overall
competitiveness of the entire nautical sector here
in Barcelona. We also believe that leisure marine
activities can be an important economic driving force
for the city. If we can achieve that successfully, it will
mean increased wealth for everyone in the marine
sector, particularly production boatbuilders.”
Meanwhile, boat repair and maintenance yards,
such as Varador 2000, are also convinced that
membership of the Clúster will result in important
commercial benefits.
“We are very pleased to be collaborating with
the Barcelona Clúster Nàutic,” says Varador 2000’s
CEO, Xiqui Mas. “The association brings together the
most important companies in the marine industry in
the Barcelona area. For a company like ours, which
manages a yard and a marina for superyachts, it is
very important to know that someone cares about


industry trends and is trying to identify the needs of
marine companies in terms of economic and business
opportunities. It is also very good from the point of
view of innovation and training. We feel that the
Clúster is a great initiative and that it deserves our
full support.”
But it’s those companies that service the
burgeoning and lucrative superyacht sector that will
probably have the most to gain from being part of
Barcelona Clúster Nàutic.
“The Clúster is established in such a way as to offer
multiple possibilities,” explains Pepe García-Aubert,
CEO of superyacht refit and repair firm MB’92, which
is currently investing *45m in new infrastructure – a
move that’s expected to create around 300 new jobs.
“Together with the Port of Barcelona and the city
council, they not only motivate the nautical industry
in Barcelona, but they are also helping to build
and represent Barcelona as a world-class nautical
reference point. Through the Clúster, we are actively
working to make important advances in national
legislation and the interpretation of fiscal regulations
that apply to the Spanish superyacht sector.”
Barcelona Clúster Nàutic works closely with
Spain’s National Association of Marine Companies
(ANEN). According to ANEN’s data, registrations of
recreational boats in Spain grew by 10% in the first
nine months of 2015, compared to the same period
in 2014.
“This year has been the second nautical season in a
row that we have seen positive growth in our marine
market – a situation we haven’t enjoyed since before
the global economic crisis in 2008,” says ANEN’s
general secretary, Carlos Sanlorenzo.
With the prospects for Spain’s nautical sector
looking brighter than they have for a number of years,
the timing couldn't be better for a cluster of leisure
marine businesses with a common goal, to take
full advantage.

SMarc de
Antonio, founder of
De Antonio Yachts

SPepe Garciá-
Aubert, CEO of
superyacht refit
business MB'92

TXiqui Mas, CEO
of maintenance yard
Varador 2000
Free download pdf