Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Boat Builder Awards highlights importance of innovation, environment, and talent

by Petra IJmker, METSTRADE 17 Nov 2021 12:20 PST 16-18 November 2021
Boat Builder Awards at METSTRADE 2021 © Pieter Magielsen

This year's Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement, jointly organised by IBI and METSTRADE and held in association with Raymarine, saw Leon Slikkers honoured for Lifetime Achievement, Elan Yachts' Marko Škrbin named as this year's Rising Star and boatbuilding companies and their supply chain partners praised for achievement in innovation, collaboration, sustainability and marketing.

The seventh edition of the Boat Builder Awards received more than 100 nominations this year, with 21 companies from 11 countries named as finalists, from which seven winners and five Honourable Mentions were named. The awards ceremony was held today, Wednesday 17 November, under the carefully controlled Covid protocol of RAI Amsterdam within METSTRADE.

The Retail Marketing Initiative category, sponsored by Kohler, was won by Princess Yachts for the Princess Yachts Series. This builder encompassed social media, high quality television and virtual events that opened huge access to every level of the company's operations, greatly expanding audience reach. Ferretti Group received an Honourable Mention for its bold digital marketing campaign positioning yachts as private islands, free from restrictions.

The Innovative Onboard Design Solution category, sponsored by Fusion, saw a close debate over all four entries that resulted in a joint win for the progress made towards mainstream application by Candela Technology's C-7 and C-8 electric hydrofoils and the brilliantly conceived design of Sunseeker International's 65 Sport Yacht SkyHelm™.

Each year the entry field in the Environmental Initiative category, sponsored by Confindustria Nautica, gets stronger and 2021 was no exception. Top honours went to Sunreef Yachts for the Sunreef 80 Eco, praised for pushing boundaries in offering emission-free luxury cruising on an attractively designed yacht. An Honourable Mention was given to Brunswick Corporation for its impressive zero-waste to landfill initiatives.

No less than 14 companies were represented in the five entries shortlisted for the Collaborative Solution between Boat or Superyacht Builder and its Supply Chain Partner category, sponsored by Ultraflex. The cohesive iterative development work demonstrated by Excess Catamarans, Torqeedo and ZF to create and improve the Excess 15 hybrid power system won the day. Honourable Mentions were awarded to Azimut Benetti Group, Mive Eco and Hug Engineering for their integrated SCR exhaust system; Benetti Yachts, Siemens Systems and MAN for the B.Yond hybrid power system and emission reduction; and Evo Yachts by Blu Emme Yachts and Besenzoni for the Blu Emme Evo V8's deck equipment.

The judges were unanimous in the decision to name Marko Škrbin as this year's Rising Star, sponsored by Lumishore. Marko was praised for his transformative work at Elan Yachts during a rapid ascent through the ranks and appointment as the company's youngest ever Marine division Director.

It was a similarly popular decision to name 93-year-old founder of Slickcraft, S2, Tiara and Pursuit, Leon Slikkers, as the Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Those present at the award ceremony were given a flavour of Leon's extraordinary 75-year career with its laser focus on design, innovation, and quality, right up to his recent retirement. He joins an impressive and growing Boat Builder Awards hall of fame.

IBI Editor and chair of the Boat Builder Awards judges, Ed Slack, commented: "The very demanding times of the past 18 months have seen boatbuilders and their supply chains swing rapidly from shut down to fully committed production. Despite the huge workload of that alone, this edition of the Boat Builder Awards saw evidence of maintained progress on the industry's key priorities, from environment, accessibility and innovation to talent recognition and development. Leon Slikkers' relentless pursuit of the perfect boat throughout his three-quarters of a century of progress is a motivation in common with much of what we saw in the entries this year.

"We also owe particular thanks in 2021 to those who made the Boat Builder Awards happen this year, from the sponsors to the nominees. It's not been the easiest time for anyone as we have variously transitioned in and out of restrictions around the world. It is important to consistently recognise achievement within boat and superyacht builders and their supply chains and we look forward to an even stronger set of nominations in 2022 as the industry continues to grow off the face of the current popularity wave."

About the Boat Builder Awards

The IBI-METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement is jointly organised by METSTRADE, the world's leading platform for professionals in the leisure marine equipment industry with its flagship Marine Equipment Trade Show, and International Boat Industry magazine (IBI).

METSTRADE is the world's largest trade exhibition of equipment, materials and systems for the international leisure marine industry. It is owned and organised by RAI Amsterdam in association with ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations).

International Boat Industry (IBI), which was founded in 1968, tracks the world's leisure marine market with unrivalled insight and intelligence. It remains the only business magazine and website to investigate and analyse commercial developments in established and emerging leisure boating markets across the globe.

www.metstrade.com/boatbuilderawards

Retail Marketing Initiative - for boat builder and shipyard companies Sponsored by Kohler Power Systems

WINNER - The Princess Experience series - Princess Yachts
HONOURABLE MENTION - Ferretti Your Private Island campaign - Ferretti Yachts
SHORTLISTED - Majesty 175 launch campaign - Gulf Craft

Innovative On-Board Design Solution - for boat builder and shipyard companies or boat design companies nominating a specific yacht solution Sponsored by Fusion Entertainment

JOINT WINNER - Candela C-7 and C-8 hydrofoils - Candela Technology
JOINT WINNER - Sunseeker 65 Sport Yacht SkyHelm™ - Sunseeker International
SHORTLISTED - Azimut Grande Trideck - Azimut Yachts
SHORTLISTED - Benetti Oasis Deck® - Benetti Yachts

Environmental Initiative - for boat builder and shipyard companies Sponsored by Confindustria Nautica

WINNER - Sunreef Yachts Eco - Sunreef Yachts
HONOURABLE MENTION - Zero-waste to landfill initiatives - Brunswick Corporation
SHORTLISTED - Beluga 3D printed sailing boat - Caracol
SHORTLISTED - Use of DANU recyclable composites - The Ultimate Boat Company

Collaborative Solution between Boat or Superyacht Builder and its Supply Chain Partner Sponsored by Ultraflex

WINNER - Excess 15 hybrid power system - Excess Catamarans, Torqeedo and ZF
HONOURABLE MENTION - Azimut|Benetti integrated SCR exhaust systems - Azimut | Benetti Group, Mive Eco and Hug Engineering
HONOURABLE MENTION - Benetti B.Yond hybrid power system and emission reduction - Benetti Yachts, Siemens and MAN
HONOURABLE MENTION - Blu Emme Evo V8 deck equipment - Evo Yachts by Blu Emme Yachts and Besenzoni
NOMINATED - Spirit 44CR(e) integrated solar panels - Spirit Yachts, Solbian and Sailectron

Rising Star Sponsored by Lumishore

WINNER ­- Marko Škrbin, Marine Division Director, Elan Yachts

Lifetime Achievement Sponsored by Sleipner

WINNER - Leon Slikkers, founder of Slickcraft, S2, Tiara and Pursuit

Related Articles

Bold expansion for Metstrade 2025
A significant new chapter as it prepares for its 37th edition Metstrade, the world's largest trade exhibition for the leisure marine industry, is set to mark a significant new chapter as it prepares for its 37th edition in 2025. Posted on 2 May
Metstrade 2025 sees strong early bookings
Metstrade is encouraged by the way exhibitors are finding their way to this years' show. Following the record-breaking success of Metstrade 2024, the upcoming 2025 edition is already attracting strong exhibitor interest. Posted on 5 Feb
Record-breaking Metstrade
Solid foundation built for future expansion The 36th edition of the world's leading trade show for leisure marine equipment, systems and materials closed yesterday after recording its highest ever attendance of leading marine professionals from across the globe. Posted on 22 Nov 2024
DAME Design Awards 2024 winners
Overall winner commended as strong step forward in lifejacket design TUDelft School for Industrial Design Engineering senior lecturer, Arjen Jansen, presented the globally recognised DAME Design Awards 2024 to the TeamO Offshore 150N Hi-Lift Lifejacket & Harness in front of a large audience at METSTRADE. Posted on 19 Nov 2024
58 products nominated for DAME Design Awards 2024
Two intensive days examining 114 submissions resulted in 58 products being selected for nomination METSTRADE is pleased to announce that 58 products from 28 countries have been nominated to enter the final rounds of assessment for the 33rd edition of the globally recognised DAME Design Awards. Posted on 24 Oct 2024
All systems go for METSTRADE 2024
The show caters to all audiences, from marina builders to equipment companies & yacht professionals Expectations are high for the world's largest trade exhibition of leisure marine equipment, materials and systems, with strong exhibitor numbers, a dynamic event programme, and highly relevant content. Posted on 5 Sep 2024
2024 DAME Design Awards opens for entries
Across its 33 editions the DAME has achieved unrivalled recognition The closely contested DAME Design Awards at METSTRADE for leisure marine equipment is now open for nominations with entrants directly contributing to providing better watersports holidays and experiences. Posted on 10 Jul 2024
Terry Hutchinson to delivery Breakfast Briefing
On the first day of METSTRADE 2024 Terry Hutchinson, the highly experienced Skipper and President of Operations for New York Yacht Club American Magic, will inspire an international audience of leading marine professionals as the scene is set for the show's first day on 19 November. Posted on 18 Jun 2024
DAME Design Awards 2023 winner praised
An exemplar product that expands electrification horizons Jury Chair Andre Hoek presented the world-renowned DAME Award 2023 to the Oceanvolt HighPower ServoProp 25 at the commencement of the METSTRADE show this morning. Nine products took wins in eight brand new categories for this year. Posted on 15 Nov 2023
Marine sector ready for business at METSTRADE
Discover new technologies and innovators in Amsterdam Just a little more than a week and counting as many thousands of leading marine professionals prepare to meet at the world's largest gathering of leisure marine industry businesses on Wednesday 15 to Friday 17 November in Amsterdam. Posted on 7 Nov 2023
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastSelden 2020 - FOOTERRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER