boatingbusiness.com
DECEMBER 2021
BOATINGBUSINESS THE UK LEISURE MARINE BUSINESS
Person Behind the Face 6 | Business Matters 10 | Marketing 22 | People 27
EXPANSION ON THE CARDS FOR PRINCESS YACHTS
NEWS
New hydrogen network Court win New green segment pages 1-9
NEW PRODUCTS
Princess Yachts is looking to expand its production capacity following an unprecedented rise in demand for its boats. The luxury boatbuilder says numerous opportunities are being investigated to enable it to produce more vessels, employ more people and fulfil its US$1bn order book. One possibility being considered is an expansion of its South Yard site which sits within the tax-break Freeport Zone of Plymouth. So far, no plans have been drawn up, but the expansion
8 Princess Yachts will launch the X80 and V50 at boot Dusseldorf 2022
of the site would help give the boatbuilder the ability to reach the required production capacity to meet the rise in demand. The Freeport area – due to come into force in 2022 – will benefit from simpler planning procedures, infrastructure funding, and lower taxes. Princess Yachts is due to launch its new Princess X80 and V50 at boot Düsseldorf 2022.
Latest audio Unique blind Monitoring systems pages 12-17
DISTRIBUTOR ROUND-UP
General Motors enters electric marine market General Motors (GM) is entering the electric boat market with the acquisition of a 25% stake in Seattle-based Pure Watercraft. The collaboration between the two companies advances what they are calling a ‘shared vision to promote sustainability through an expansion of zero-emissions mobility for future generations’. “GM’s stake in Pure Watercraft represents another exciting opportunity to extend our zero-emissions goal beyond automotive applications,” said Dan Nicholson, GM vice president of global electrification, controls, software and electronics. “Building upon GM’s existing efforts to strategically deploy our technology across rail, truck and aerospace industries, the combined expertise of these two enterprises should result in future zero-emissions marine product offerings, providing consumers with more choice than before.” The collaboration will incorporate Pure Watercraft’s
marine propulsion technology and experience in the commercial marine industry with GM’s engineering, supply chain and manufacturing capabilities. The two companies plan to develop and commercialise battery powered watercraft, integrating GM technology into a variety of applications, helping to accelerate the industry’s move to electric mobility. Over the next few years, GM is investing $35 billion in electric and autonomous vehicle technology — including work to improve performance and reduce battery costs. “Our mission is to enable a new era in boating,” added Andy Rebele, founder and CEO of Pure Watercraft. “This joint effort with GM is expected to enable us to make significant technological advancements in range and charging, while achieving volume production.” Pure Watercraft was founded in 2011 and has developed the Pure Outboard System, a 25kW outboard motor.
Electronics added Diverse customers Greater possibilities pages 18-25
PROFILE
Neil Chapman pages 26