Lets Promote the UK Marine industry, Not Slate it!

Alistairr

Alistairr

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 Dec 2002
Messages
11,584
Location
North Ayrshire/ Glencoe
Visit site
Enough is Enough!!

All we seem to be reading on the forum is everyone slating anyone in the marine industry, all we're reading is people saying that “the boat show is a complete flop and no-one is visiting it”, “your stand was empty so you can't be selling any subs!” or “you can't get on a certain stand because its barricaded!!!”

The way I see it, it is difficult times, attendance and sales figures are obviously not going to be as good as previous shows, but why are we slating all these marine companies that we know so well for giving it a go!

These big boat stands that Sunseeker, Fairline and Princess amongst others build aren't cheap, it was mentioned on another thread they maybe invest several hundred thousand on the London Boat Show, That is a massive amount to spend on what is basically advertising for only 10days!!
It is a huge commitment for them to spend that kind of money in this current financial market.

So I say good on them for giving it a go, putting on a show for Joe public who just want to go and look at boats they can only dream of, and for the few buyer that are actually out there!

We all have our favourite BRITISH brands, some like Sealine, Fairline, Princess Sunseeker or others, I say lets talk them up during this 'recession' instead of slating them!!
Same with IPC, lets promote this wonderful place or at least enjoy it, they need to sell subs to keep this site going!
Just remember, we need these companies to sell their products to keep their staff in a job, enabling them to buy whatever it is we sell or make!!
I am in retail, and if people don't have a job, then they aren't likely to come into my shop to buy my goods!

All in my honest opinion of course, and everybody is entitled theirs.

I hope everyone gets through 2009 without too many casualties!

Cheers

Al.
 
Well said! We need to support people in this industry (and any others in the UK) as much as possible.

In particular, we've found that now is the perfect time to get some work done on the boat - normally the best suppliers have a long lead time and higher prices. But if you book in some work now during this slow period, you'll help support them AND save yourself a little money along the way.

We need to ensure the industry retains these valuable, skilled craftsmen & women.

And I'd certainly miss my monthly read if IPC went down the pan /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Hi

Whilst i tend to agree on the general sentiment its not true that " everyone slating anyone in the marine industry".

The LIBS is a good show IMHO - I enjoyed my visit very much last Friday.

I prefered Earls Court as had better atmosphere, but understand the need to move on. I dislike Excels location as its a pig for me to get to even though I live and work only a few miles west!

Deleted User commented about the date change and he's right of course having dates clash with germany is a mistake as is missing the final days of the school holidays by opening just as everyone heads back after the holidays

The only negative stuff I see is people placing barriers to biz and formites commenting on their findings after visiting.

Who is actually slating the industry?

There are excellent products on display and knowledgeable people about on the stands.

Thats how I see it.

On the stands I wanted to visit I was very warmly welcomed - as usual.
 
Well, sometimes its bloody good when the kids arent there, and I can understand some manufacturers reluctance at too much open-doors policy. I have certainly been on a boat trying to have look over as a "possible", only to give up in frustration at someones kids making it impossible. Yes, yes, I could come back another time..I make a point of never going on a w/end. So, just to give an alternative view, great its on during term time /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
So, if I was seriously looking at some kit, Id be delighted with an emptier show. Room to look over boats, time to discuss with retailers etc. Nothwithstanding the web cams looking pretty bleak if you are there as your job.
 
Simple economics, those who know how to run a business, listen to their customers and provide the products and level of service they want will generally survive. Those who don't won't - and we all know the marine industry (and many other industries) are riddled with businesses that don't (we hear enough about them on this forum). Harsh but true /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
It is no different for the LIBS.
 
I fully agree with your comments Al. Just for the record, we are booked right through until March at the moment, and this is normally a time when people don't want courses due to the weather! In February we are using our regular freelance instructors as well as ourselves. While we can always cater for more, we are not unhappy with where we are and it's great to see that we have a high proportion of repeat business as well as new. We operate in both the leisure and commercial sectors - in fact Al, we will be doing some work in February in your neck of the woods. Unfortunately, Jon and I can't be out of the office for a week at the same time, so Jon will be operating out of Greeenock with one of our other senior instructors - no not Powerskipper!

We are by no means the cheapest and frankly don't intend to be,and nobody has even asked for a discount. But then, we don't teach, we protect their investment! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Alistair, you are spot on.

Britsh built boats are equal or better than any other countries products. Just let the 'Slaters' cry in their beer when they try to sell their foreign purchase.

Ask any broker what he prefers to sell, British or Import. It's just like the car industry when you try to sell your Hyundai or Seat. Great when you buy it but a real shock when you sell it.

We have a fabulous UK boat industry and it deserves our 100% support and it is also in our personal interests to ensure that it remains a solid and profitable part of our manufacturing industry.

When the car industry closed in this country it not only affected those people directly employed but thousands of peoples lives in the sub contracting industries that supply it.

Banks are in an impossible position, they must loan money at very low interest rates to borrowers and yet are expected to pay high rates to savers. All this whilst trying to stengthen their balance sheet.

Lets forget who is to blame for the current problems and just focus on supporting our BRITISH INDUSTRY and BRITISH BANKS.

Britsh is still best and there is no reason other than cussedness why anyone in the UK would buy a non British Product.

For goodness sake nearly all the sub 35ft day boats look alike anyway.

For the record I do put my money where my mouth is and have purchased a new Sunseeker Manhattan 60 which will be delivered in March. The standard of service and attention from the Sunseeker organisation has been fantastic.

When it comes to LIBS which I visited on Saturday all I can say is that I enjoyed the experience very much and did meet many people who were only 'looking' as most visiters do.

Why why why do British people love to discredit any thing that the British do and yet praise the Jonny foriegners is beyond me.

IF YOU DO NOT SUPPORT YOUR OWN COUNTRY YOU DESERVE TO LOSE YOUR JOB.
 
well, nice patriotism, but I cant agree with the British is best logo, and I certainly would buy what I want, for my reasons, not buy something simply because its British.
In fact, I m genuinely trying to think of anything I own that is British...house, I suppose.
Actually, I really cant think of anything. Suggestions, anyone?
 
My first inclination is to agree, it's a free market and we should choose based on what meets our needs most, rather than where it's made.

Two problems though. First off its not a free market, 'cos the French, Germans and others do choose based on where it's made, so if we don't, there's an imbalance. They will probably also become more protectionist in the coming months. Secondly, these are exceptional times, for anyone working today it will be the worst recession in living memory, and balance of payments is part of the problem, so a bit of Dunkirk spirit probably is called for. You can't dispute that if we did all buy British, the country would be better off, so that seems good enough reason to do so where you sensibly can at the moment.

Having said that I don't accept that slating a company for making bad marketing decisions, like fencing off their products so people can't look at them, is slating the industry itself. It seems they may even have taken the barriers down based on the contents of this forum, so probably it's actually helped them?
 
from an outsider perspective what I dont like about this bashing, is that people seem to have forgot about the boats @ the show

what about the nice boat show posts with some nice pictures, of what interested you or not....
wheter it is empty of full, if you want to go to the show just go thre and have a good time!
in the end the rest is not your problem but of the organizers
if it will be bad as some say here, you will notice it as same time next year you might not have any LIBS
 
I USED THAT NEW company chandlerydealer.com based in sussex to buy my Raymarine multi screen very friendly, great service, its good to see new marine companies having a go.
 
Nicely said Doug, however I might take a little exception to some of it

"Ask any broker what he prefers to sell, British or Import. It's just like the car industry when you try to sell your Hyundai or Seat. Great when you buy it but a real shock when you sell it."

.....have you tried selling a second hand Jag or Rover recently ? , you'll get a far better price on a Audi / BMW / Merc (although they have been hit too but not to the same extent). Actually Seat sell very well and are very well thought of these days, built to far higher standard than some of the slap happy stuff we produced in the past.

Have you tried selling some British built boats in the med? some you will loose your pants with yet an Azimut / Ferretti will sell all day (providing price is right) in the med.

I am the first to support British manufacturing and we do produce some of the best boats in the world but so do many Euro builders, to blanketly say British is best above all else is not strictly fair.

The same thinking allowed some of our best manufacturers to become complacent and rely on patriotic buyers to shore up some pretty awful product and eventually fall by the wayside. That is not something we would want to see again. Competition is healthy and we can not expect what we build to be perfect or suit every buyer. Your recent purchase (fab boat btw) suits you perfectly but another customer may wish something more minimalist or cutting edge or new forms of propulsion or what ever and for that he has to look elsewhere.
 
Well said Alistair.

Cynicism and "knocking" really is the British disease and it seems we have more than our fair share of it on here at the moment.
 
I m really not sure what you mean?
I m saying that I wish to buy depending on my own criteria, and I guess you do. For you, perhaps, buying British is key to that. Its just that it isnt the case for me.
If my life goes "tits up", I m not sure what you are suggesting would change.. I'd then buy British ? Umm, why.. because I d be impoverished and could then only afford.. what.. British? Where is your logic leading, here?
I dont NOT buy British simply because it IS British. Generally, I guess, Britain doesnt make the things that I prefer. Design, probably.
But then, maybe I m not British myself?
 
[ QUOTE ]
...., to blanketly say British is best above all else is not strictly fair.

[/ QUOTE ]

Please reread my post, I said 'equal or better' not best above all else.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top