Markets & Regions
OVERVIEW | NEW ZEALAND
ibinews.com International Boat Industry | JUNE–JULY 2019 79
New Zealand’s longest running, largest and most
popular boat show held recently, in the same venue,
for its 64th consecutive year.
First held way back in 1956, the show has always
been an excellent barometer of the health of the
New Zealand recreational marine industry. In
2019, it showed an industry in excellent shape.
Occupying virtually every square metre of the giant
ASB Showgrounds site in Auckland, the show was
completely sold out for months.
The show has always been the one at which the
vast majority of Kiwi boatbuilders choose to unveil
their newest models for the first time. Again, the
2019 show was no exception.
“Boat manufacturers from the country’s far north
right down to Invercargill, the world’s southern-
most city, showed in force,” says general manager,
Dave Gibbs.
While a lot of the show’s decades’ long popularity
is due to the wide range of new boats, engines,
electronics and accessories on display, it is the
event’s unique combination of prizes, helpful
information hubs and fun interactivity that ensures
its audience continues to grow. For example, among
a vast range of must-be-won prizes on offer in 2019
was a Grand Prize consisting of a 7.5m Surtees
750 Game Fisher, twin Yamaha 150hp four-stroke
outboards and Yamaha’s new Helm Master boat
control system.
“IN THE LAST two years we have seen good growth with U-DEK marine decking product,”
says Paul Goddard, general manager, Ultralon Foam Group.
In Europe, where the company sell sheets of U-DEK , sales have increased with new
start-up boat manufacturers cutting their own deck kits in countries like Poland, Finland,
Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Slovenia. However, the central European region of the
Netherlands, Germany, France and UK have been slower to realise the benefits of foam
decking according to Goddard.
“We actually offer something different in the New Zealand market, in that we cut U-DEK
kits at our own facility and offer small ‘peel and stick’ retail packs that owners can fit
themselves. The strong economy has seen a growth in trailer boat sales which is a big market
sector for us. Another sector where U-DEK is proving popular is race yachts – because it’s a
customised lightweight solution,” adds Goddard.
He feels that the growth, which comes from both the OEM manufacturers and the
aftermarket, has really come from the consumer having an increased awareness of the
features of the foam marine decking and the benefits this offers.
“It has become a viable decking substitute, economic and with a really good finish. The
consumer likes the level of comfort they get with a soft foam floor, plus the fact that it’s easy
to clean. We are also seeing fewer ‘DIY jobs’, with more owners wanting a complete fitted
solution, which in turn leading to an expansion of the product offering through canvas and
marine upholstery business units.”
Ultralon Foam Decking’s focus for Europe this year is to find a strong central European
distributor through whom they can supply sheets, PSA laminating and CNC routing capability.
“In NZ, we continue to look at how we can make it easier for boat owners to have U-DEK
installed on their boats, with the option to search for their boat model in our online database,
and having more installers around the country,” says Goddard. ultralonfoam.com
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