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One boatbuilder claimed the show was the saving of his business.
‘In 25 years, as a seasoned marketing man, I’ve covered, exhibited and attended more events than had hot dinners – and I have to say that this was the most enjoyable that I’ve yet experienced.’
The RIBEX initiative to provide bursaries for RIB builders to display starter boat packages without charge is an attempt on the show organisers’ part to ensure not just the high-end products are represented within the show confines.
Suzuki Marine have signed another three-year sponsorship deal with show organisers, RIB Exhibitions Ltd.
RIBEX 2009 bucks the trend of recession
A total of 5,782 people came from all over the world to visit the three-day Suzuki-sponsored RIB extravaganza known as RIBEX 2009.
The three-day specialist powerboat show is unique in its style and content, mixing the spirit of a festival with that of a serious forum for buyers, both commercial and leisure. The show, offering a sponsored £20,000 5-metre Suzuki-powered Asis RIB as a special show prize, included a bustling tented village, full of all manner of products, which overlooked a packed event marina of some 80-plus boats. With the well-publicised challenges facing the London International Boat Show, as well as the demise of the Sail, Power and Watersports Show at Earl’s Court in 2010, all eyes were on RIBEX 2009 to see not only whether the show would signal any economic recovery for the marine trade in general but also just how the RIB market, which has been experiencing uninterrupted growth now for the last ten years, might truly be faring during this time of recession. So, with the RIB industry’s first opportunity to make a reply, it was most satisfying to learn of the level of quality leads as well as crucial sales that were made over the course of the three-day show.
First signs of promise came when three weeks prior to show time the exhibition was declared a sell-out. Furthermore, RIBEX 2009 was ultimately chosen by no less than ten different companies for the purpose of making either European or world launch debuts. With substantial press and PR in advance of the gates opening, and a great buzz in anticipation of these new products, the show in general began to build. However, the pressure was on come 10am Friday morning as everyone wondered whether the show would truly ’deliver’ to the extent hoped.
But deliver it did. One boatbuilder claimed the show was the saving of his business. Others, like Sebastian Freeman of Salterns Marine Sales, stated with regard to the launch of the Zodiac N-ZO, ‘The level of serious enquiries across all our products surprised us, with four demos booked on the new Zodiac N-ZO this week alone following the show.’ Will Marrs of Golden Arrow Marine said, ‘We are absolutely delighted to have shown the new Caudwell Drive at RIBEX 2009. The show is already in next year’s diary as far as we are concerned.’ Patrick Byrnes of Scorpion RIBs commented, ‘This year’s RIBEX was one of the best and certainly bucked the expectations in the financial atmosphere.’ Other plaudits included this from Alan Stewart of Sea PR: ‘In 25 years, as a seasoned marketing man, I’ve covered, exhibited and attended more events than had hot dinners – and I have to say that this was the most enjoyable that I’ve yet experienced.’ UK leisure RIB supplier, MRL, with their Italian RIB brand, Stingher, reported selling three boats at the show. Lee Fairweather of Solent RIBs confirmed, like many other exhibitors, that in the weeks following the show, leads translated into actual sales, with the consequence that at least two boats have now been sold as a direct result of RIBEX 2009. Simon McLoughlin, of c-fury RIBs, confirmed his company attracted a grand total of 60 firm leads over the launch of their new prototype at RIBEX 2009.
Several companies chose to use the show as a launch pad for new products. Rib-X displayed their luxury superyacht tender within the tented village, and had additional craft afloat for sea trial purposes. Their superyacht tender RIB is one of the very latest to be released into this ever-growing international market. The highly respected British powerboat legend, Hunton, chose RIBEX to launch their all-new 10m performance RIB, a craft as equally suited to the international superyacht tender market as it is to the luxury performance sector. The continental RIB builder, Alugator, also displayed a superyacht tender, in the form of a wave-piercing prototype, and in so doing underscored the diversity of products RIBEX has become known for attracting. Another example of prototype design was the Renegade RIB range from new builder, MAP Marine. Designed for the sports boat market, these sleek performance craft were impressive in both looks and quality of construction and we look forward to seeing more of this brand in the months to come. Goldfish RIBs, who enjoyed great success in last year’s Round Britain Race, displayed for the very first time in the event marina and it was good to see these proven, Scandinavian offshore craft attracting such a lot of attention, both from those who were clearly seeking an out-and-out performance RIB, as well as those researching the market for a capable cruiser.
Firm favourites such as Ribcraft and Ribeye both displayed three boats apiece and were busier than ever, taking endless streams of public out on sea trial. Ribeye MD, Charles Chivers, reported an excellent show in terms of sales and general interest in his company’s product line – the 6m A-Class being a particular favourite, it appeared, of those families desirous of a genuine all-rounder. Long-established builders and market leaders, Scorpion and Revenger, were present once again at this year’s show and more than ably showed the reason for their prowess in the relevant sectors of the high-end markets over which they hold sway. Scorpion also provided a large hospitality marquee ashore, where clients both old and prospective were entertained and where the official RIBEX party was held on the Friday evening following show close time. Also strong contenders in the upper echelons of the leisure market are Cobra RIBs, of course, who this year had no less than three boats afloat. This company, originally under the MD’ship of Dave Picton back in the early 90s, was pretty much the first UK RIB manufacturer to ever offer a true sports boat interior within the confines of a RIB format. Over the years others have followed in the Cobra wake, but not all have been so successful. With refined styling and, again, from the European Continent, came Netherlands builder eXtreme RIBs, with their X-Craft RIBS. The word quickly got around that these first-time exhibitors to RIBEX were responsible for some of the most exciting high-performance RIBs being displayed at this year’s show.
A real ‘head-turner’ down on the water was the new-styled range of Humber RIBs. The extent to which this brand has developed its products’ internal styling and fit-out is nothing short of dramatic. Coupled to some of the best hull designs in the market, this brand is now poised to carve out a whole new reputation for itself at the threshold of the new decade. Norwegian-owned company, Arctic Blue, had three craft represented, all afloat and awaiting sea trial, including the highly impressive 37ft cabin RIB, the test of which was published in the 2007 pages of RIB International. Besides Arctic Blue, both Hockley Marine’s Italian made Capelli range and Nimbus’ Paragon RIB hybrid offered diversity in terms of their take on cabin RIB design, the latter designing a ‘gentlemen’s cruiser’ with full walkabout cabin accommodation, whilst the former provided an open-cockpit-styled layout with forward accommodation for overnighting in comfort. Both these companies reported a successful show, with Paragon stating that, based upon this year’s success, they would be returning in 2010 with an all-new 37 model. Suzuki Marine and BRP each took out 30 metres of pontooning on the prime section of marina walkway, and in so doing showcased a range of outboard craft that included workboat/commercially orientated boats as well as leisure craft.
Speaking of commercially orientated RIBs, Redbay Boats were present once again. Following on from the launch of their 11-metre Flybridge Cruiser at the 2008 show, this year the company displayed their highly successful ‘soft top’ cruiser, a vessel that allows for genuine all-year-round boating – something that Redbay owners have become well known for. Among the variety of RIBs Suzuki were responsible for sponsoring at this year’s show was the custom-built Humber/Quinquari-hulled Seawolf, an expeditionary craft built for offshore record-breaking purposes. With its Shockwave console, which offers both protection from the elements and fatigue reduction due to its shock-absorbing deck platform, the vessel is a fine example of the very latest in offshore RIB technology.
It was good to see that RIBEX 2009 established the return of the once market-dominating brand known as Tornado. Now under new ownership, we anticipate seeing much more of this seminal RIB make as it benefits from something of a relaunch and, what we hope will be, a true return to form and prominence. We haven’t been shy in expressing our view that Ribquest are one of the best new brands to emerge within the RIB market for some time. So it was good to see this all-British builder displaying no less than three very different craft in the event marina. Among them, the latest 7.3 model, which offers a true crossover between commercially orientated offshore ability and serious leisure-inspired adventure.
Besides putting up the most substantial prize in British boat show history, Asis also displayed two craft afloat and, like a number of other builders, a starter boat package ashore. The RIBEX initiative to provide bursaries for RIB builders to display starter boat packages without charge is an attempt on the show organisers part to ensure not just the high-end products are represented within the show confines. On the contrary, this special feature, first trialled last year, ensures that there is a genuine range of products on show that are suited to those first-timers seeking to buy a RIB on a budget. Coupled to the free RYA training that Powerboat Training offered to all purchasers of these craft, this element of the show is being seen increasingly as an important part of what makes RIBEX so special.
On the Saturday at least 100 visiting RIBs came into the show to tie alongside the visitor pontoons within the event marina, whereupon the skippers were welcomed with a sponsored goodie bag and vouchers for a free lamb roast and soft/hot drink. Upon stepping ashore, either by RIB or Red Funnel ferry, show visitors were greeted with a jam-packed shoreside display of marquees, exhibition units and special exhibits. Every product conceivable was on show, from the superb range of chandlery, clothing and watersports equipment as displayed by the likes of Northern Diver and Kevin Mole Marine, to the specialist equipment suppliers such as Armstrong Nautical, who came all the way from the States to exhibit at RIBEX for the third year running. Garmin, Navimo, Raymarine, Marine AV, and Navico were all displaying their very latest wares, as indeed were Icom, who once again not only supplied the show organisers’ communication systems but also a daily prize of a waterproof hand-held radio. A number of new and diverse exhibitors were making their debut at the 2009 show, including Elite Spas, RIBshare, Steam Productions, myBoatshare.com, Shockwave, Golden Arrow Marine, c-fury Marine, Aquatic AV, Roche Marine, and Outboard Covers. RIBEX regulars such as RIB Shack Marine, Southampton Dry Stack, Rib Shop, Pennel & Flipo, RYA, the RNLI (who also provided daily on-water displays), BHG, Yamaha, BVD Marine, Cummins UK, Honda, Suzuki and Evolution RIBs all made their mark and contributed greatly to making the show truly special – a real festival.
Based upon the success of this international RIB show, and despite the global decline in event sponsorship generally, Suzuki Marine have signed another three-year sponsorship deal with show organisers, RIB Exhibitions Ltd. RIBEX dates for next year at the Cowes Yacht Haven site, are confirmed for the 7th, 8th, 9th May 2010. Stay tuned for news on an exciting new addition to next year’s show, the details of which will be announced very shortly.
www.ribexhibitions.co.uk
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RIBEX 2010 Official Sponsor
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