Boat Builder Awards winners announced
The seventh edition of the Boat Builder Awards received more than 100 nominations this year, with 21 companies from 11 countries named as finalists, from which seven winners and five honourable mentions were named. The awards ceremony was held yesterday (17 November) at Metstrade in Amsterdam.
The Retail Marketing Initiative category, sponsored by Kohler, was won by Princess Yachts for the Princess Yachts Series. The judges said this builder encompassed social media, high-quality television and virtual events that opened huge access to every level of the company’s operations, greatly expanding audience reach. Ferretti Group received an honourable mention for its bold digital marketing campaign positioning yachts as private islands, free from restrictions.
The Innovative Onboard Design Solution category, sponsored by Fusion, saw a close debate over all four entries that resulted in a joint win for the progress made towards mainstream application by Candela Technology’s C-7 and C-8 electric hydrofoils and Sunseeker International’s 65 Sport Yacht SkyHelm.
In the Environmental Initiative category, sponsored by Confindustria Nautica, top honours went to Sunreef Yachts for the Sunreef 80 Eco, praised for pushing boundaries in offering emission-free luxury cruising on an attractively designed yacht. An honourable mention was given to Brunswick Corporation for its impressive zero-waste to landfill initiatives.
No less than 14 companies were represented in the five entries shortlisted for the Collaborative Solution between Boat or Superyacht Builder and its Supply Chain Partner category, sponsored by Ultraflex. The cohesive iterative development work demonstrated by Excess Catamarans, Torqeedo and ZF to create and improve the Excess 15 hybrid power system won the day.
Honourable mentions were awarded to Azimut Benetti Group, Mive Eco and Hug Engineering for their integrated SCR exhaust system; Benetti Yachts, Siemens Systems and MAN for the B.Yond hybrid power system and emission reduction; and Evo Yachts by Blu Emme Yachts and Besenzoni for the Blu Emme Evo V8’s deck equipment.
The judges were unanimous in the decision to name Marko Škrbin as this year’s Rising Star, sponsored by Lumishore. Marko was praised for his transformative work at Elan Yachts during a rapid ascent through the ranks and appointment as the company’s youngest ever marine division director.
It was a similarly popular decision to name 93-year-old founder of Slickcraft, S2, Tiara and Pursuit, Leon Slikkers, as the Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
