Cup contracts fill companies' books

By YOKE HAR LEE

A cluster of boatbuilding companies in Waitakere is booming from work generated by the America's Cup.

The firms have clinched work worth more than $8 million, providing patrol boats and supply craft.

Superyachts valued at $50 million are also being launched while Auckland stages the regatta.

Sensation Yachts has a contract for 11 inflatable police boats. This has resulted in work being subcontracted to others in the cluster.

Brian Saipe, who is overseeing development of the cluster for Enterprise Waitakere, said: "The fibreglass work was subcontracted to Marine Creations, who have computer numeric cuttings which enable them to take designs on disks, to make the plugs and moulds much faster than anyone in the industry can."

Another company, Nimrod Rescue Inflatables, made the inflatable tubes for the police boats.

McDell Marine and Lancer Industries have also secured substantial business.

Lancer has built a 14m inflatable for the Prada syndicate.

The various contracts have ensured full commitment of the marine cluster's resources.

The cluster comprises 42 boatbuilders and 160 support companies.

Employment growth is also healthy. During 1997, the Waitakere marine clusters employed between 1100 and 1500 people. Now just three of the companies - Alloy Yacht, Sensation Yacht and Salthouse Marine - have 850 staff.

Mr Saipe said: "There has undoubtedly been substantial growth in the marine cluster."

He said a recent addition to the cluster, Salthouse Marine, had taken up occupation of the old Powerhouse Building and created a minicluster of marine and related specialists.

Last year, four new marine companies moved to Waitakere.

"The ones that move there do so because the building, land and infrastructure costs are much cheaper. Salthouse Marine's move and the America's Cup have meant an exceptional 12 months."