Women in industry: boating no exception - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 29 Sep 2022 15:00 PDT
Women on Water - Networking event © Melbourne City Marina
There is no doubt that having women participating at every level in our industry is paramount to the growth of the industry at large. Therefore, it was pleasing to read about an event being held alongside the Melbourne Boat Show next month.
Leading women in the marine industry are invited to the Women on Water Networking Event being hosted alongside the 60th Melbourne Boat Show in Docklands. The purpose of the event is to explore the current outlook of gender balance in the marine industry and help connect women to the existing networks.
The Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV) have confirmed Katherine Grech from Better Boating Victoria and Narelle Ward from ORCA (Oil Response Company of Australia) as the guest speakers for the event.
Staying in Melbourne and highlighting another important aspect of our industry, fishing: Victorian Fisheries Authority and the Victorian Government have 'lured' the World Recreational Fishing Conference to Melbourne, at MCEC (Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre). Thousands of visitors are expected at the two-day RECFISHFEST on 18-19 February, and companies can exhibit as part of the event.
Pricing is just $50 per sqm to exhibit in a specified BIAV area for fishing boats and accessories. Join the world's best and most passionate recreational fishing experts and a burgeoning group of fishing/boating enthusiasts 'Down Under' for the 10th edition of this event.
Further North in Sydney, the Marina Industries Association (MIA) announced a free Legal Support Service exclusively for its Australian-based members on corporate and commercial legal matters. Commencing from 1 October, the service will be provided by McInnes Wilson Lawyers who have been MIA members and industry supporters over many years.
The service will provide MIA members with initial guidance and general advice on navigating matters with potential legal implications without having to engage legal professionals until it is clear this is what is required. In announcing the service, MIA CEO Suzanne Davies said, "McInnes Wilson Lawyers have been associated with the MIA for many years.
"They have provided legal thought leadership to the industry during this time through their expert contributions in our Waterline Magazine, conducting member webinars and presenting at our conferences and management courses. We are delighted to be formalising and further strengthening their industry commitment."
And even further north in Queensland a team of 25 of Australia's most skilled and experienced marine technicians and engineers came together recently for a three-day training and service academy hosted by Riviera, Australia's premium luxury motor yacht builder. Together, they represented the strong skills of the R Marine network of Riviera dealerships around Australia, eager to grow their knowledge of the latest systems and technologies being employed on luxury motor yachts.
Safety at sea is a constant issue and next month hails a timely reminder as we approach the summer. National Safe Boating Week is back from the 1-7 October, advising boaters of the importance of lifejackets ahead of the busy season. The BIA has partnered with the Australia New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group, and representatives of State and Federal government boating authorities to support the campaign.
The key theme is to highlight the importance of wearing a lifejacket and ensuring inflatables models are checked routinely to ensure they are 'good to go', and serviced as required.
Awards this week were earned by Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, who had the distinction of receiving the first ISM Supply Chain Trailblazer Award in the Risk and Crisis Management category. Institute for Supply Management (ISM), the first and largest not-for-profit professional supply management organization worldwide, established the award this year "to celebrate the organizations that set new standards, drive innovative possibilities and exceed expectations within the supply management field".
The award recognized the Mercury procurement and supply chain teams for helping the company achieve ambitious growth benchmarks throughout a period that presented seemingly insurmountable challenges. Despite rolling shutdowns across the globe resulting from the pandemic, hamstrung supply chains, a winter storm that crippled the southern United States, labour shortages and other challenges, the Mercury supply-management team kept the company's manufacturing operations furnished with raw materials and components that are critical to production.
International brand Yanmar has strengthened its global sales and marketing departments at the company's Netherlands headquarters. Effective from 1 July, Bas Eerden joins the team as the new Global Sales Manager with the responsibility of coordinating company strategy with local offices, OEM's and distributors and developing Yanmar's leading market position in the global marine industry.
The experienced maritime industry professional brings a strong background in sales, marketing and product development to the role, accumulated from his previous management positions at Japan Radio Company, Alphatron Marine, Mastervolt and Advanced Systems Group.
The second Yanmar appointment is the addition of Michele Durkin, who is already in place as the new Global Marketing Manager for the Global Marketing Marine Department. Originally from Liverpool, UK, Michele has worked most recently for over eight years in the construction industry for Kobelco Europe after moving to the Netherlands in 2008.
Her strengths and experience in communicating brand values and messages, promotion strategy, project management, planning of budgets and events, plus running B2B and B2C sites, webshops and content, will be key factors in refreshing the company's branding strategy and marketing planning going forward.
New products this week, both from Navico, who launched their new Fathom® e-Power System, an integrated lithium-ion auxiliary power management system that delivers reliable power and unparalleled performance for the marine and RV sectors. The Fathom system offers advanced digital controls and monitoring of power consumption, delivering information on demand and providing complete control for the user.
Simultaneously the company announced the release of CZone® Mobile, a full turn-key cloud and mobile app solution made for boat builders to enhance the boating experience for their customers. "Consumers want to engage with their boat's brand in an easy, streamlined way," said Kevin Steinbraker, VP and General Manager, Digital Systems at Navico Group. "CZone Mobile is helping OEMs provide that personalized experience on and off the boat."
Don't forget, industry members can catch up with all the latest powerboat news at powerboat.world, fishing boat news at fishingboating.world or the latest racing news at sail-world.com - the world's largest sailing news network.
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com