52 JUNE–JULY 2018 | International Boat Industry http://www.ibi-plus.com
Markets & Regions
EQUIPMENT | AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA IS WELL serviced by many leading marine distribution companies that
provide international products for the marine industry.
One of the leading distribution companies is BLA Distribution, established in 1974
by Bob and Denise Littler. What started as a small business from a residential home
is now Australasia’s largest supplier of internationally respected boating, lifestyle and
adventure products (60 brands and 17,000 products) to over 3,500 marine businesses.
Now part of the Brunswick Corporation, BLA Distribution’s head ofice is in Brisbane,
Australia with warehouse facilities in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Auckland.
David Wood, director-product at BLA Distribution, says the market is currently very
buoyant and that new, innovative products are helping take them to another level.
“Our Australian and New Zealand market is predominantly in the trailer-boat sector,
especially with our Humminbird, Sea Star and Minn Kota range of products,” he says.
Wood says that the local trailer-boat builders are very positive with a lot of orders,
right across the range, and they are heavily involved with supply to the builders.
“BLA Distribution is an essential part of the marine industry as the link between 200
suppliers around the world and the small and large marine businesses in Australia,”
says Wood.
“As the linchpin supplier in the region to around 3,500 marine businesses, we move
around 600 consignments of parts and accessories which are dispatched each day
from the warehouse and we play a huge role in keeping the marine industry working,”
he adds.
Australian Marine Wholesale, run out of The Boat Works in Coomera on the Gold
Coast by industry stalwart Errol Cain, is marketed as a ‘one-stop shop’ and specialises
in the bigger end of the boating market. They are an exclusive importer and distributor
of some of the world’s best marine brands, such as Lumitec LED Lighting, Blue Water
Desalination units and Iris Innovations Camera systems.
Australian Marine Wholesale also supplies and installs other major marine
electronic brands such as Raymarine, Garmin, Furuno, Simrad and many more.
“Our extensive marine team are proficient in new-build specification and fit-out,
complete navigation refits, upgrades or add-ons. We pride ourselves in delivering
extraordinary customer service and the fact that we have long-term, regular clients is
testimony to this,” says Cain.
He adds that in recent years there has been a big swing towards repower and refit of
larger vessels, with clients happy with their boat but looking to upgrade their systems
and electronics.
“We run information and training nights for most of our major products and these
are extremely well supported,” says Cain.
In early 2017, the company opened a new superstore at The Boat Works, which is
five times the size of their previous location. “We had outgrown our previous location,
driven by customer demand, the addition of new products and an increase in trafic
here at The Boat Works,” says Cain.DISTRIBUTORS’ VIEW
SHyDrive’s huge product range caters
for boats from 5m-200m in length
TLocated within The Boat Works, Marine Trade Supplies Superstore
ofers a huge range of antifoul and boating accessories. From L to R, Dean
Thompson, John Lance (owner) Luke Miller and Brendan Mannan appreciation of marine safety and high disposable
income,” says Aiken.
Life Cell is a flotation device that redefines how
safety equipment is stored and used on boats to
improve survival rates. The device keeps people
together in the water and stores all the essential safety
equipment. It is highly visible with clear signage and is
simple to use, even for the novice boater.
Aiken adds that 2018 has not been as big as the
previous year when they pushed into the larger markets
and many of their distributors are also carrying
suicient quantity, so demand has reduced. However,
she says things are very positive and exports in 2017
accounted for 40% of their revenue.
In the three years of operation, Life Cell has
appointed seven distributors across Australia, North
America, Europe and the UAE.
“We have sold more than 4,000 units to date,” adds
Aiken. “Sales in Australia continue to grow and were up
40% in 2017.”
MUIR
Muir Winches specialises in the manufacture of
windlasses and anchoring systems for vessels from
5m-150m, including pleasure craft, megayachts,
superyachts, fast ferries, fishing, charter, defence
and offshore vessels. The company has developed a
reputation for superior quality products exported to
more than 50 countries worldwide.
POLYFLEX
Poly Flex Group Pty Ltd manufactures an extensive
range of anti-vibration engine mounting systems and
shaft couplings for the marine, industrial, agricultural,
mining and power generation industries.
Since 1981, the company has developed its anti-
vibration mounting systems, marine shaft couplings,
rudder bearings, hull-to-deck joining systems and CNC
machined steel half couplings along with a range of
customised polymer mouldings.
Poly Flex has warehouse agents in the US, Canada,
South America, UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and
New Zealand to provide quick and eicient supply
anywhere in the world.
RAINMAN
Winner of the AIMEX 2017 Marine Exporter of the
Year award, Sydney company Rainman Desalination
provides desalination systems that can be run as
portable on your deck or installed in your boat.
Powered by a self-contained petrol engine, an AC
motor, or a 12V DC option, it is designed to be