http://www.ibi-plus.com International Boat Industry | JUNE–JULY 2018 55
TVetus’s Bow
Pro is proving a
game-changerWInvestment in
developing its Italian
superyacht business
is starting to reap
dividends for VEEMTLone Star Marine
saw 22% growth
last year, driven by
robust exportsONE PRODUCT THAT is certainly a growing part of local
marine manufacturing is drum winches, especially those
designed for trailer boats. Currently, over 80% of drum winch
manufacturers are from Australia and the list
seems to be growing. Vetus-Maxwell, one of
the latest to join the market with its Tasman
brand, is the result of research and develop-
ment by Auckland-based Vetus-Maxwell
Australasia.
In 1995, Australian Dean Forster pioneered
the trailer-boat drum winch and while drum
winches were not a new concept, it was Dean
who perfected the application for small boats.
His award-winning company Stressfree Marine
is one of the world leaders in the manufacture
and design of drum winches.
Another recognised brand is Lone Star Marine, which over
the years has introduced some world firsts. These include the
brush-less anchor winch motor (Elite Series) and the first ma-
chined and anodised billet aluminium gearbox (Elite Series).
Malki Ary, MD of Lone Star, says that 2016-17 saw an
increase of 22% growth overall, and most of that coming
from commercial export markets. “We have seen some big
improvements for 2018 in production and a decrease in turn-
around time from orders to dispatch for our larger volume
customers. Building inventory of rolling stock orders across
12 winch models can be dificult when new markets emerge.
However, we have seen where the growth is coming from
and are now in a better position to cater for these markets,”
says Ary. While the company caters to trailer-boat fishermen
with vessels from 5m to commercial vessels up to 20m, it is
the trailer-boat fishermen with 5m-8m boats that are their
primary market base.DRUM WINCH SPECIALISTS
overall Australia remains a very competitive and
stable market for us,” says Andy Stephens, CEO of
Vetus-Maxwell APAC.
He reports that there has been an improvement
in 2018 and expects further increases to come
from the marine refit market and from some of this
year’s new products which are launching locally at
Sanctuary Cove.
“We have the Vetus Bow Pro, which is a game-
changer and showing huge demand in the States
and Europe where it has already been launched and
won innovation awards. We also have the HPW series
of high-performance waterlocks and the Maxwell
Tasman series of drum windlasses.”
Vetus-Maxwell’s main Australian markets
are the marine, retail OEM and refit sectors. They
are also now branching out to new markets such
as caravan and RV, commercial marine applications,
alternate energy and other commercial areas
that can make use of well-designed and produced
marine equipment.market presence is steadily growing on the back of
several years of business development and repeated
successful deliveries,” remarks Errington-Wood.
He adds that the VEEM Gyrostabilizer sales
are growing as the technology becomes industry
standard and the recent contract with Damen
Shipyards is seen as providing the industry with
confidence in the new technology. Damen Shipyards
of the Netherlands has signed a contract which will
see Damen take delivery of VEEM’s newest and largest
gyrostabiliser model, the VG1000SD.
VEEM has also released new upgraded versions
of the VG120, and the VG145 gyrostabilisers. These
two models are designated the ‘Super Duty range’
and are much heavier duty than any other gyro on
the market.
Errington-Wood adds that new key OEM
relationships are being forged in the Italian superyacht
propeller market and this is expected to be a growth
market in the short and medium term.
“Gyrostabiliser sales are starting to gain momentum
as repeated successful installations are observed by the
global industry. The next financial year’s outlook looks
promising with a number of new clients and contracts
to be signed,” says Errington-Wood.
Gyro sales are currently mainly in Holland and
Northern Europe, with potential growth in the
Australian and US defence industries, offshore
service vessels (OSVs) and tug boats, as well as crew
transfer vessels.
VEEM commissioned a six-axis CNC machine in
2017, which allows the company to fully CNC larger
propellers for superyachts, commercial and military
vessels. This expands their propeller product offering
from 2.1m diameter to 4.6m.
The largest gyrostabiliser model, the VG1000,
entered into early production phase in 2017. The
first units are expected to begin testing phase
late in 2018, and this model will be
released in 2019.
VETUS-MAXWELL
“Vetus-Maxwell Australia had
reasonable growth over the 2016- 17
period in the local market and excellent
growth in our exports, particularly to
New Zealand, while parts of Asia are
rebounding for us now. The local refit market
also produced a modest upward swing and