Regional Manufacturing: Stabicraft, Invercargill
Paul Adams, Managing Director of Stabicraft based at Invercargill discusses the company’s boat manufacturing strategies and where to the future. Describe your company’s main areas of activity The design, manufacture and export of recreational and commercial trailerable aluminium boats What area(s) of the business are currently being developed? We have 3 key areas being reviewed; Internal Capability – is one of our key areas working on sound lean initiatives with a view of the continued removal of waste in our processes, upskilling of leaders and managers to better adapt to growing market demands. Innovation through “Design Thinking” – Working on creation and recreation of a consolidated range of craft throughout the current recreational areas we sell and market in. Sales & Marketing – being close to all the latest marketing trends to best connect with our wide and varied customers. Does the company place much emphasis/outlay on R & D? R & D has been the core on our innovation journey. Our design team of 5 is planned to grow by 50% over the next 3 years. Stabicraft has been part of the Government’s “Better by Design” program since 2007, this program is to help companies embrace “Design Thinking” throughout the organisation. “Design Thinking” is about putting the customers’ needs first and this is not only the end user but also the internal customers within the business. Where do you export to and where are future opportunities? 3 Key export markets are Australia, USA and the Pacific Islands. However we do also export to other counties around the globe, Australia is by far our easiest market being close and having similar needs and wants. While USA (having almost 12 million registered vessels) holds some real growth opportunities. Boating and fishing styles in the US are quite unique and different from […]