First yacht-component manufacturing plant to open in UAE

The $1 million joint venture was announced at a media briefing at the Dubai International Boat Show attended by Erwin Bamps, executive manager of Gulf Craft, Sacco Pietro, president of Opacmare, and Sandrine Thibaud, marketing and sales manager.

The new factory, Opacmare Middle East., will produce stainless steel components for the regional and international yacht-building industry.

The partners are currently assessing potential sites in the Northern Emirates where a pilot factory of 500 square metres employing about 20 people will be operational by the middle of this year.

Rapid expansion will take the premises to 5,000 square metres and a staff of 50 by the end of 2006, producing doors, hatches, window frames, pulleys, cranes, gangways, and allied yacht fittings in 316L grade stainless steel, the premium marine standard.

Italian craftsmen will relocate to the UAE and train local recruits in the specialised techniques and machinery used to produce the components.

Initially, the company will supply Gulf Craft's own requirements and those of other regional yacht builders, with export sales to follow when capacity permits.

Until now, yacht manufacturers had no alternative but to import components from overseas suppliers.

'The benefits flowing from this venture will extend to the region's entire yachting industry and not just exclusively to Gulf Craft,' says executive manager Erwin Bamps. 'It will reduce our reliance on foreign suppliers and enable us to be even more competitive in international markets.'

Opacmare has been growing steadily in production capacity and global reach, with its order book quickly filling from customers and boat-builders worldwide.

'The extra production capacity we are creating in the UAE will help us to enlarge our market share in the Middle East, and also enhance our capacity to cater to customers internationally,' says Opacmare's Sandrine Thibaud.

'The demand for our products, our designs, and our quality has been overwhelming in recent years. Partnering with Gulf Craft, which is expanding its own portfolio of activities, next to its core business of fibreglass yacht and leisure craft manufacturing, gives us a strong financial partner with direct marine experience and large regional influence.'

Gulf Craft exports more than 70 per cent of its output to virtually every corner of the globe, and is one of only a handful of yacht builders in the world with the skill and capacity to produce fibreglass-hulled luxury yachts of more than 100 feet in length.

'With the introduction of our luxury brands Majesty yachts and the new range of Oryx sport cruisers, we are serving a worldwide customer base that is looking for the best in the market,' said Bamps.

'We have had a long and close relationship with Opacmare as a specialist supplier and have now added a new dimension. We are adding value locally by providing the region with a manufacturing entity and designing and building high-quality metallic accessories for marine use.'