Gulf Craft sets course for export expansion

An 80 per cent assembly area expansion is under way at its design and construction facilities in Umm Al-Qaiwain that already extend to 11,600 square metres of covered workshops on a total site area of 43,000 square metres.

A new 150-ton travel lift has been commissioned and is now operational, creating fast and efficient transfer of vessels from the building stocks to the water via a newly-completed launching bay.

In the assembly area, a new 30-ton hoist complements the existing array of gantry cranes and automated machinery that take care of the heavy lifting.

New paintwork and tooling facilities will follow very soon along with the latest computer-controlled engineering systems, while extensive up-grades are also taking place at the company's repair yard in the Maldives.

Investment in new technology is matched by corresponding growth in staff numbers - planned to reach 600 by the end of this year, up by one-third in only 12 months.

Among them are design and engineering experts recruited from specialist shipyards in Europe to help keep pace with the surging demand for the entire range of Gulf Craft Inc vessels, especially in the super-yacht category.

"Gulf Craft has already evolved from being a smallish UAE boat-builder to being a major player in the international luxury yachting market," says executive manager Erwin Bamps.

"As well as investing heavily in our construction facilities, we are also expanding our distributor network and now have new representation in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and New Zealand.

"This latest phase in our growth will consolidate that transformation and give us the platform to pursue our goal of being an even more potent force in high-end global markets where quality, craftsmanship, and individuality are the defining characteristics."
In keeping with Gulf Craft Inc's policy of maintaining high-visibility at the world's premier yachting events, the company is taking part in the 15th annual Monaco Yacht Show on September 21-24.

The company's stand at Monaco - the only international show devoted exclusively to luxury yachting - will present scale models and detailed presentations on its Majesty Yachts 118, 130, and 145 models.

The top-of-the-line Majesty Yachts range has already proved a major drawcard at international boat shows, and the Monaco presence will capitalise on the impact made with European customers at the corresponding Dusseldorf boat show earlier this year.

Gulf Craft has also exhibited successfully at boat shows in Australia and New Zealand this year, as well as the Dubai boat show. The company exports more than 70 per cent of its output to virtually every corner of the globe and international shows have played a major role in its rise to market prominence.