New Zealand marine companies are recognised as innovators and manufacturers of high quality marine products. As an island nation New Zealanders are passionate about the sea and this passion is reflected in their drive to be innovative and at the forefront of developing technologies - from lightweight composites used to build the world’s largest yachts to new designs for generating on board power, automatic anchors, electronics and the spar furling systems used on the top racing yachts.

There have been top awards for the country’s boatyards, designers and equipment manufacturers, particularly in the Superyacht market which has seen some unprecedented growth over the past five years. New Zealand is

Constantly seeking to improve and refine their innovative ideas, New Zealand companies continue to push the boundaries in order to create the very best products and services. 

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is the country’s economic development agency and is a big supporter of the New Zealand presence at key marine trade events in Europe and the States.

“METS is an important event in the marine industry calendar and a prime opportunity for NZ manufacturers to raise their profile with key customers”, says David Penny director of marine sector activity for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. The Marine Industry Association of New Zealand forecasts that the marine industry will double in size by 2020, growing from turnover of NZD$1.5 billion to almost NZD$3.2 billion dollars in real terms, driven largely by export sales.

At METS, visitors will be able to see 14 of the top New Zealand marine companies – eleven are located in the New Zealand Pavilion supported by NZTE in Hall 5 with the other three are strategically placed in their specialist areas.

Vectek Marine Stand 05.512 

The company’s principal area of expertise is in the application of microelectronic techniques to power conversion equipment and systems for marine applications. The company manufactures shore power converters from 12kVA to 600kVA based on a range of high power inverters proven in the toughest marine environments. Making use of state of the art inverter technology, the lightweight products ensure dock supply versatility, improved reliability and offer power quality which protects the on board electrical equipment. A range of their products can be seen on their stand at the show.

Tru Design Stand 05.509 

With the introduction of new Marine Regulations regarding the dumping of untreated sewage in July 2000, Tru-Design Plastics Ltd embarked on a comprehensive design and development program to produce marine components to allow commercial and recreational marine craft to comply with these new regulations. Tru-Design has a growing range of superior marine components to service these markets and will be showing their latest products which include the Aquavalve, Aquavent and skin fitting.

ENL/|Electronic Navigation  Stand  05.504

ENL will be exhibiting the WASSP Multibeam Echo Sounder. This multi beam fishing system uses wide angle sonar to profile the water column and sea floor to a very high resolution. It is a unique combination of multi beam sonar and computer processing power to provide unparalleled information about the fishing environment. Information is presented in a user friendly mouse controlled Windows based operating system.

CruzPro Stand  05.500     

CruzPro manufactures a broad range of intelligent and accurate instruments in seven categories: Accessories, AC & DC Electrical Monitoring, Depth and Speed Instruments, Digital Engine Gauges, Fuel & Tankage Monitoring, Gas Detectors and Multi-Function Instruments. Most CruzPro instruments work on both 12V and 24V systems and contain built-in user settable high and low alarms. CruzPro instruments have a common user interface, intelligently thought out, that makes each new instrument easy to learn and use. Three new products - the MaxVu110 multi-function instrument, the CH55 low cost chain counter and the HY60 digital hydraulics gauge - will be shown for the first time at the show.

Auto Anchor Stand 05.505

With AutoAnchor, the guesswork is taken out of anchoring, as the length of rode released is always known.Compatible with any brand of windlass, the AutoAnchor is available in three different models. The range begins with the panel mount AA150 rode counter. This award winning product monitors the length of rode deployed through the windlass and displays it on the LCD. Designed with custom-set calibrations, docking alarm, adjustable backlighting and a choice of feet or metres measurement, this unit can be installed by itself or in combination with any model from the AA500 series or the AA601 for multiple stations on the vessel. The latest AutoAnchor is a ‘black box’ electronic module that has been designed to display the length of anchor rode deployed on to a host screen – be it a marine PC, a standard laptop or a screen supplied as part of a marine electronic control and monitoring system. With an AutoAnchor on the control panel, precision anchoring without stress can be achieved.

Maxwell Marine Stand 05.511

Maxwell Marine, the international boating equipment supplier, has a range of windlasses, capstans and accessories known for their reliability and performance throughout the pleasure boating, commercial marine, and more recently, Superyacht markets. The range is extensive, providing anchoring solutions for vessels from 6 metres (20 feet) to 60 metres (200 feet) and beyond. Maxwell's history is one of innovation-from the introduction of the world's first automatic rope/chain windlass during the mid 1990's to the custom built Superyacht series of today, Maxwell continues to exceed client expectation in every aspect of functionality and design.

C-Tech Stand 05.511

C-Tech Ltd, under the brand name of CT Sailbattens, manufactures stock and custom-made carbon fiber sail battens for all types of yachts, from cruisers, multihulls and super maxis, up to the largest superyachts. Manufactured in New Zealand and exported world-wide, CT Sailbattens are now the preferred choice for every America’s Cup team and Volvo Round-the-World yacht, together with most high-performance cruiser-racers, multihulls, maxis and superyachts. C-Tech also produces a range of parallel or tapered tubing manufactured from pre-preg carbon fiber glass fiber or carbon/glass mix. In addition the company produces carbon tubes in a large range of sizes and laminate thicknesses.

WhisperGen Stand 05.507

The WhisperGen™ onboard heat and power system is a fully automated 12 or 24V diesel-powered marine generator. It provides an on demand supply of heat for the cabin plus hot water and the power to run all those things that make life onboard safe and comfortable. Smaller, lighter and significantly quieter than traditional generators, this innovative system becomes a silent, diligent first mate. It monitors battery charge and heat levels, utilising a built-in self-diagnostic system so users can set it then forget it!

Pacific Aerials Stand 05.508

Pacific Aerials, leaders in the design and manufacture of communications antennas, have the only fibreglass marine antennas in the world which can be easily removed and then remounted, without pulling or cutting the coaxial cable. Since 1977, the company has built antennas that satisfy the requirements of the most demanding users, by being innovative, flexible and quality focused. The full range of marine antennas and mounts will be on show including the unique Pro Series, which offer particular advantages to boat builders and a range of antennas especially suited to the growing RIB market.

Q – SPD Stand 5.506

Q-SPD offers a range of advanced marine propulsion systems designed to produce optimum performance and reliability in an innovative and low maintenance package. Manufactured from hi-tech composites, Q-SPD uses surface drive technology to get high performance but without the traditional disadvantages of other surface drive systems. Q-SPD is available from 200hp to 2500hp for both pleasure and commercial applications.

New Zealand Marine Export Group  Stand 5.506 

New Zealand’s leisure marine trade body is supporting their country’s exhibitors at METS. On the stand will be copies of the latest edition of the export trade directory giving full details of all members. 

Navman and Northshore Stand 01.725

BNT Marine will be displaying a broad range of marine electronics under the Navman and Northstar brands.  The products are suitable for almost any electronics installation in craft ranging from commercial vessels, super-yachts and small leisure boats.  Radar, GPS, AIS, sounders, autopilots, communication products and instruments make up the comprehensive range. Highlights of the show include the Northstar 8000i touch-screen integrated network navigation and entertainment system, several new high resolution chart plotters and sounders under the Navman brand and the introduction of the Northstar Explorer range introduced to Europe for the first time.  With a few exceptions, all products are designed and built in Auckland, NZ.

Pacsoft International Stand 01.607

The Pacsoft Marina Management System (MMS) is a sophisticated marina management program designed to meet the needs of marina and boatyards in their day-to-day operations assisting them in the management of vessels, slips and customers;  invoicing reservations; reporting on operations; streamlining accounting processes and integrating with selected general ledger packages. The software allows managers and owners to improve their marina business by saving both time and money through automating and integrating typical daily tasks and processes, serve customers effectively, maintain tight control over business processes and performance and keep pace with any sized competitor.

Southern Spars Stand 04.513

Southern Spars Composite Rigging will be exhibiting the EC6 and EC6+ Carbon  Fibre Rigging and Torque Transfer Luff Rope. The new Torque Transfer Luff Rope is lightweight and low stretch, insuring quick deployment and furling of  reaching sails that fly with a ‘free’ luff, (without the use of the headstay). 

The key to this new product is the ability to transfer torque when the furling unit is turned. In addition they will also be showing the new Strop Lock which is capable of handling the loads required to keep constant tension in the luff  of sails while always aligning perfectly to the direction of the load.  It is an external locking system designed to be easily retrofitted to existing masts. 

Visitors can also learn about Rig Pro – a specialist service division for yachts and the Southern Furl Furling Boom which operates on either a hydraulic drive or manual system with fully articulated flexible feeder which allows the sail to be furled at any angle, and offer exceptional engineering, ease of  use and smooth lines.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 16 November 2006 )