Published on: 23 September 2021
The Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement, jointly run by International Boat Industry magazine (IBI) and METSTRADE, recognises the significant contributions of individuals, teams, and supply chain partners within boat building companies globally. This prestigious and widely recognised awards programme has been supported since inception in 2015 by headline sponsor, Raymarine.
The 2021 edition of the Boat Builder Awards offers a format that is appropriate to ongoing pandemic impacts around the world. It will celebrate awards in six categories spanning design, innovation, collaborative working, environmental responsibility, marketing and personal achievement. British Marine member companies have formed a consistent presence in the awards since inception, taking advantage of the opportunity to promote their capabilities across the whole global marine community.
Entry to the Boat Builder Awards is free and the organisers encourage anyone in the marine industry to nominate. The deadline for entries is 6 October, so there is still time to make your entry or to nominate the companies that you feel deserve recognition. See the webpage boat builder awards for the link to the entry portal and guidance on nomination requirements.
Safe and accessible format for awards evening
The awards evening this year will be held in the controlled environment of RAI (Rijwiel en Automobiel Industrie) Amsterdam with appropriate safety measures according to RAI’s stringent COVID-19 protocol, on Wednesday 17 November at the end of METSTRADE that day. The top-named companies will also be featured on METSTRADE TV within a special Boat Builder Awards programme.
Viewers around the world who cannot make it to the Amsterdam presentation will be able to see the results after the event.
Chairman of the Judges, IBI Editor Ed Slack, explains: “The Boat Builder Awards in 2021 will provide a welcome opportunity to promote achievement across boatbuilders and their supply chain companies, while matching the mood and requirements for the whole marine industry as it emerges from the pandemic.
METSTRADE director, Niels Klarenbeek, adds: “Working closely with IBI, using the facilities here at RAI Amsterdam and our new METSTRADE TV channel, we have excellent plans in place for the 2021 Boat Builder Awards. We look forward with anticipation to celebrate the sector’s successes and the teams and individuals that make it all happen, in person and online.”
Award Categories
Collaborative Solution between Boat or Superyacht Builder and its Supply Chain Partner (sponsored by Ultraflex)
This award recognises boat and superyacht builders or refit yards and supply chain partners such as equipment manufacturers that have collaborated from a conceptual stage as if working in one team to develop a particular solution to a design challenge, innovation or efficiency improvement.
Innovative On-Board Design Solution – for boat builder and shipyard companies or boat design companies nominating a specific yacht solution (sponsored by Fusion Entertainment)
The Innovative On-Board Design Solution Award recognises boat and superyacht builders that have developed a specific design feature that transforms their end users’ on-board experience
Environmental Initiative – for boat builder and shipyard companies (sponsored by Confindustria Nautica)
Boat builders nominated for this award will highlight any change that targets sustainability. Examples include lifecycle awareness, reducing the operational impact of boats and yachts and improving production processes, as well as recycling initiatives and support of environmental improvement projects.
Retail Marketing Initiative – for boat builder and shipyard companies (sponsored by Kohler Power Systems)
This category recognises advances in retail marketing where the builder, working alone or with a dealer, has demonstrated real innovation in marketing to end users. Examples could include campaigns, boat show initiatives, successful partnerships, dealer promotions and responses to COVID-19 restrictions.
Rising Star – for individuals working for a boat builder or shipyard (sponsored by Lumishore)
Individuals nominated in this category will be aged 35 or under, working for a boat builder and will have been making a growing impact on any aspect of their business, from design and production, to management, buying and any other boat building discipline. Nominees should be no older than age 35 on 16 November 2021.
Lifetime Achievement Award – for individuals working for a boat builder or shipyard (sponsored by Sleipner)
We invite nominations to this special award for a person who has made a lifetime’s contribution as a boat builder. Nominees will have made a significant impact on the boat building businesses that they have been associated with in their careers.
The Boat Builder Awards is held in association with Raymarine and is additionally supported by award event drinks sponsor, Propspeed.
