Shortlist announced for IBI-METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement 2021

A total of 21 companies from 11 countries named as potential winners for this year’s Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement 2021, in association with Raymarine.

The nominees were selected by an international panel of judges from more than 100 entries following a preliminary assessment process and two appraisal rounds. In addition to the shortlisted companies, the judges have also selected a Rising Star, for boat builder industry professionals up to age 35, plus an inspirational Lifetime Achievement nominee who will join notable past winners of this prestigious award.

The Boat Builder Awards is jointly organised by IBI and METSTRADE. It celebrates and rewards the outstanding business achievements of individuals and teams across key areas in the worldwide leisure boat and superyacht builders. Recognising the still difficult trading conditions of this past year, the 2021 event focuses on innovation, collaboration, environment, and marketing.

The Boat Builder Awards ceremony will be held in the Emerald Room at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre on Wednesday 17 November from 17:30-20:30. Top-named companies will also be featured on METSTRADE TV within a special Boat Builder Awards programme, broadcast on Thursday 18 November from 15:00-15.30.

Chair of the judging panel and IBI Editor, Ed Slack, commented: “Given what it has faced in recent times, boatbuilders and shipyards across the world might have been forgiven for suspending innovative development, collaborative creativity and environmental improvement. However, the evidence from this year’s Boat Builder Awards suggests that these areas all continue to be priorities across the industry. The judges were considerably challenged to decide on final winners, due to the quality and diversity of products and initiatives. It’s been incredibly encouraging to see the progress made during this past year and we’re looking forward to the opportunity of celebrating this success at our awards ceremony in November.”

METSTRADE director Niels Klarenbeek adds: “The boat builder community is a vital part of the METSTRADE audience. We’ve been particularly pleased in recent years to enhance that relationship by highlighting the very best achievements in this sector through the Boat Builder Awards. Last year, despite the global lockdown we kept our connections live in a new and vibrant way by running a memorable fully virtual Boat Builder Awards within METSTRADE Connect, supported by our longstanding headline sponsor, Raymarine. Now we cannot wait to welcome everyone back to Amsterdam and onto our METSTRADE TV screens to highlight a year full of important achievements.”

Tickets for the Boat Builder Awards

Individual tickets for the Boat Builder Awards Ceremony, are now available for purchase via boatbuilderawards@rai.nl, priced €38.00 per ticket excluding VAT. Please note, tickets are subject to availability.

Shortlisted Entries

Collaborative Solution between Boat or Superyacht Builder and its Supply Chain Partner
Sponsored by Ultraflex

• Azimut | Benetti integrated SCR exhaust systems – Azimut | Benetti Group, Mive Eco and Hug Engineering
• Benetti B.Yond hybrid power system and emission reduction filters – Benetti Yachts, Siemens and MAN
• Blu Emme Evo V8 deck equipment – Evo Yachts by Blu Emme Yachts and Besenzoni
• Excess 15 hybrid power system – Excess Catamarans, Torqeedo and ZF
• Spirit 44CR(e) integrated solar panels – Spirit Yachts, Solbian and Sailectron

Innovative On-Board Design Solution – for boat builder and shipyard companies or boat design companies nominating a specific yacht solution
Sponsored by Fusion Entertainment

• Azimut Grande Trideck – Azimut Yachts
• Benetti Oasis Deck® – Benetti Yachts
• Candela C-7 and C-8 hydrofoils – Candela Technology
• Sunseeker 65 Sport Yacht SkyHelm™ – Sunseeker International

Environmental Initiative – for boat builder and shipyard companies
Sponsored by Confindustria Nautica

• Beluga 3D printed sailing boat – Caracol
• Zero-waste to landfill initiatives – Brunswick Corporation
• Sunreef Yachts Eco – Sunreef Yachts
• Use of DANU recyclable composites – The Ultimate Boat Company

Retail Marketing Initiative – for boat builder and shipyard companies
Sponsored by Kohler

• The Princess Experience series – Princess Yachts
• Ferretti Your Private Island campaign – Ferretti Yachts
• Majesty 175 launch campaign – Gulf Craft

Rising Star
Sponsored by Lumishore

This category celebrates those aged 35 or under, working for a boat builder, who have been making a growing impact on any aspect of their business. The judges will select a winner from a strong field of candidates, to be announced on the evening.

Lifetime Achievement
Sponsored by Sleipner

The awards evening culminates with the much-anticipated Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in the previous six years to Paolo Vitelli of Azimut Benetti, Robert Braithwaite, CBE of Sunseeker International, David King of Princess Yachts, Annette Roux of Groupe Beneteau, T. Healey Sr and William J. Healey of Viking Yachts and Christoph Rassy of Hallberg-Rassy. 

About the Boat Builder Awards

The IBI-METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement is jointly organised by METSTRADE, the world’s leading platform for professionals in the leisure marine equipment industry with its flagship Marine Equipment Trade Show, and International Boat Industry magazine (IBI).

METSTRADE is the world’s largest trade exhibition of equipment, materials and systems for the international leisure marine industry. It is owned and organised by RAI Amsterdam in association with ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations).

International Boat Industry (IBI), which was founded in 1968, tracks the world’s leisure marine market with unrivalled insight and intelligence. It remains the only business magazine and website to investigate and analyse commercial developments in established and emerging leisure boating markets across the globe. The magazine and its related daily email newsletter, ibinews.com, are received by 22,670 professionals in the industry in 141 countries.

The headline sponsor for the event is Raymarine. The category sponsors are Ultraflex, Fusion Entertainment, Confindustria Nautica, Kohler, Lumishore and Sleipner, with Propspeed sponsoring the event drinks.