Busy stands, awards and accolades
METSTRADE 2022 has proved a great success for British Marine members as visitors flock back to the show.Thirty-eight British Marine member companies showcased a whole host of products and services at the British Marine organised British Pavilion (Hall 3), with a further seven members exhibiting in the Superyacht Pavilion (Halls 10-11) at this year’s METSTRADE, the world’s largest marine equipment trade show (15-17 November).The show got underway with the traditional Breakfast Briefing followed by much awaited results of the world-renowned DAME Awards 2022. Congratulations to all the British Marine members who were amongst those shortlisted and a huge congratulations to British Marine member’s Rooster Sailing Ltd who clinched the DAME Award for Clothing and Crew Accessories for the Aquafleece Robe. Commenting on their win, Steve Cockerill, Founder and Chairman of Rooster said: “We are elated to have won this award, it’s a great kick off to the season. We’re delighted to have won this category with this particular product which has been adapted from our original Aquafleece.”
At the Boat Builder Awards, which celebrate excellence in boat builders and the individuals, teams and supply chain partners that make them great, there was further success for British Marine members with Beneteau Group, Fairline Yachts and Sunseeker International each claiming one of the prestigious awards.
- Best Apprenticeship or Training Scheme – Technical apprenticeships and graduate training – Sunseeker International
- Collaborative Solution between a production Boat Builder and its supply chain partner – Fairline Yachts and Lippert Marine Group Europe
- Environmental Improvement in manufacturing process – Beneteau Group
On Wednesday morning there was a new addition to the METSTRADE agenda, the eagerly awaited ‘Women in the Marine Industry International’ networking and panel discussion. Over 100 men and women attended the event hosted by British Marine, Soundings Trade Only and METSTRADE, supported by Barton Marine and Marine Industry News, to hear from a panel of exceptional and inspirational women from across the industry.
The panel, made up of Malin Schwartz, Senior Vice President, Volvo Penta; Nona Pedersen, General Manager, Propspeed; Delphine Planes, Vice President of Purchasing, Groupe Beneteau, Boat Division; Barbara Amerio, CEO PerMare Group and Leontien Moulijn, Franchise Development Manager EMEA, Freedom Boat Club a division of Brunswick shared their backgrounds, experience and insights as female leaders working in the marine industry to a packed theatre and thoroughly engaged audience.
Speaking of the event, Lesley Robinson commented, “What an incredible event, with an inspirational panel of women. We have been delighted by how many people have joined us today. It just shows that there is a real appetite for inclusive events of this nature.”
Throughout the three days there was a real buzz around the show and at the British Pavilion with lots of meetings taking place and plenty of visitors. Representatives from British Marine were also on site throughout the show assisting companies in getting the very best from the show and offering support to exhibitors and visiting members. Representatives also hosted a drinks reception on Wednesday evening on the British Marine stand, situated at the heart of the British Pavilion, which proved very popular and provided a perfect opportunity for networking.
“This show is THE trade show and critical for so many of our members. We are pleased to be able to assist our members on the international stage and offer them a prime location at the show enabling them to showcase the best of British to a worldwide market”, Lesley concluded.
What the exhibitors said:
Eifrion Evans, CEO, Lumishore
“METS is the most important show in our calendar, this is the show that made us, most of our major relationships have come from METS over the last 13 years.
“As our range has expanded and reputation followed, it has become necessary to show all our valued customers the best that they deserve, so this year we have taken a bigger stand enabling us to have more time to engage with our customers and for them to understand what we do.
“British Marine has always managed our presence at METS, supported us when we were lost, guided when we were new and been there to help us and all British Marine members when we need them. Especially recently, they have gone to a new level of support in trying to understand what our needs and expectations are.”
Tom Burlison, Officer Manager and Ben Pitman, Operations, MSOS – Medical Support Offshore (Superyacht Pavilion)
“METS provides the perfect opportunity to support our European arm of the business. It’s a chance to meet with new build and launching projects. We’ve been coming for 5 years and it’s nice to see it so busy after a quieter 2021.
“Being members of British Marine provides access to a great network of likeminded companies and lots of advice and support. It is a key player by way of championing British companies in the marine industry.”
Elizabeth Noles, Director & General Manager, Phoenix Marine Solutions (Superyacht Pavilion)
“METS is the boat show with no boats. At other shows it is about selling boats but at METS the architects and boat builders are here and that’s why we are here.
“Busy show for us and it is good to see it back to full strength, it is the only show we never consider not doing.”
Nigel Bird, Managing Director, Bird Stainless Ltd.
“It is great to see everyone here at METS and see things ‘back to normal’. METS is a truly international show with great opportunities to meet and greet customers and potential customers and showcase what we do.”
David Duffin, General Manager, Crewsaver
“It’s great to be able to reconnect in person with our customers here at METS and showcase our new EXO lifejackets and circular product lifecycle.
“We have always exhibited in the British Pavilion and it works really well for us. The location offers a great footfall and is well positioned to utilise the British Marine stand and its events.”
Steve Cox and Peter Weide, Directors, Marine 16
“METS is a great show for Marine 16 to allow us to interact with existing clients and seek out new European and Worldwide distributors. The team at British Marine have been really great in helping us achieve this presence.”
Ian Howarth, CEO, Cyclops Marine Ltd
“METS is a ‘must’ for us, as a new technology business we are challenged to raise awareness of our company and products in the marine market and there is no other show better than METS to achieve this. Great quality delegates, 100% professionals and I would argue environmentally efficient as so much global business can be achieved in one place. British Marine are a huge help securing our location and the Pavilion is attractive to delegates with the British reputation for quality and innovation.”
Whether it’s to boost brand exposure, sales generation, network with peers or explore new export opportunities, British Marine offers a whole host of UK and International Events for all sectors of the leisure marine industry. To find out more about British Marine’s calendar of events visit https://britishmarine.co.uk/Events-and-Courses
