International Boat Industry - December 2015

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

Markets & Regions

UK | EQUIPMENT

become EPA approved, for a commercial advantage
with US buyers, particularly in the wake of the
automotive emissions scandal.
The company started year 29 with a £1 million
order book, and have so far forecast a turnover
of £8.6 million for 2015-16. Beta Marine has also
added a new mezzanine floor to its factory, improved
security and bought some more land for a possible
future expansion.
Closely associated with new builds and the
repower market is exhaust and soundproofing
specialist Halyard Marine. The company produces
a wide range of products for yachts of all sizes,
including the superyacht sector, and reports a fairly
stable market.
“Business has been fairly steady, but not
spectacular, in 2015, with a lot of enquiries,” Rob
Wilder, sales director at Halyard, told IBI. “However,
METSTRADE has been extremely successful for
us. The market seems buoyant, and there is a good
amount of work coming through for 2016. The last
12 months have been very strong in the commercial
sector, but we are also seeing more enquiries for the
super yacht sector ahead of SCR legislation.”
Wilder also reports that the export market is
improving, despite the challenging exchange rates.
“Over the past year, we have seen growth in France
and Scandinavia. There has also been increased
interest from the Middle East and India. One
challenge we have to face is that the European market
often perceives British products as expensive. The
UK continues to develop innovative products, but the
exchange rate has affected European sales.”
Despite the lure of cheaper production costs
overseas, Wilder says production will continue to
remain local.

“It has been important

for us to keep design and

manufacturing in the UK, as it

enables us to keep control over

quality,” he explained. “In-house

design and manufacturing,

along with the Halyard teams’

technical and engineering

expertise, has been crucial to

meet the needs of our global

customers.”

Welsh-based Lumishore has

enjoyed a good year of sales for

its range of high quality underwater LED lights, and

has doubled the size of its factory floor over the last

12 months. With a whole new product range about to

be released, MD Eifrion Evans has been particularly

impressed by the recovery of the US market. As such,

Lumishore has taken on another salesman at its US

office, and enjoyed a strong Fort Lauderdale boat

show. “The footfall was almost double, and there

ROB WILDER | SALES DIRECTOR

HALYARD

METSTRADE has

been extremely

successful for us.

The market seems

buoyant, and

there is a good

amount of work

SBeta Marine’s

Andrew Growcoot

says UK and US

sales are healthy

TLighting

specialist Lumishore

has had another

good year

SLumishore MD

Eifrion Evans