Kiwi innovation recognised at world's largest marine trade expo
by Kate Gordon-Smith on 19 Nov 2013
Trans-oceanic record breaker, Team Australia (Sean Langman) - uses Doyle Sails extensively. A large percentage of the Auckland loft’’s production is for export Richard Gladwell
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New Zealand Marine Export Group members Fastmount and Doyle Sails NZ have been nominated for this year’s DAME Design Awards METS competition, the world’s most prestigious design competition for new marine equipment and accessories.
Kumeu-based Fastmount is an award-winning designer and manufacturer of panel mounting systems used by more than 500 boatyards in over 40 countries. Their first metal panel mounting system – the Fastmount MC-05 maxi metal clip-set – has been nominated for this year’s DAME award. The metal MC-05 system is designed for removable ceiling and wall panel applications that require fire protection (with a pre-approved Lloyds’ fire rating) and for heavy load-bearing panels.
With their head office in Avondale, Auckland, Doyle Sails has invested years of research into the development of the Stratis ICE sail fibre. Described as an entirely new and unique ultra-molecular weight polyethelene (UHMWPE) fibre, it’s lighter, more durable and stronger than any other sail fibre available.
In 2013, a total of 115 products were entered for the DAME awards with 52 products from 12 countries being nominated to go forward for final judging. Seven category winners and one overall winner will be announced on Tuesday 19 November prior to the opening of the annual Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam.
'It’s fantastic to see New Zealand marine component suppliers being recognised for their innovative product development with these DAME award nominations,' says Stuart Robinson, chairman of the NZ Marine Export Group, a division of the NZ Marine Industry Association (NZ Marine), and managing director of specialist superyacht interior production company Robinson Interiors.
'Everyone at Fastmount and Doyle Sails can be proud of the nominations and the fact that their work will be showcased in a high profile display of all nominated products at the METS expo which attracts over 19,000 international marine industry professionals during the three days,' says Robinson.
Gregg Kelly, director of Fastmount Ltd: comments: 'Continuous innovation is one of our company core values and key to Fastmount’s international success. When we launched Fastmount in 2004 we revolutionised the mounting of removable panels. We are delighted our first ever metal based panel mounting system (MC-05) has been nominated as a DAME innovation finalist in this highly competitive and demanding marine market.'
Kelly adds: 'Earlier this year, Fastmount won the innovation award at International Boat Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) 2013 for the very low profile clip-set VL-03. We are proud to have two Fastmount products recognised for innovation in one year.'
Chris McMaster, managing director of Doyle Sails NZ, comments: 'Qualifying as a finalist for the DAME Awards is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the latest sailing technology coming out of New Zealand. We are very proud that this nomination formally acknowledges the effort and innovation that New Zealand as whole puts into the global marine industry.
McMaster adds: 'This is our first DAME nomination and we are delighted that Stratis ICE has been recognised in this way and against such strong competition. In the competitive market of sail making, breakthroughs in technology and new innovations mean a lot and we truly believe that Stratis ICE is a game-changing product. The results we have already seen from Stratis ICE are more than demonstrative of that.'
Fastmount and Doyle Sails are both exhibiting at this week’s METS expo. Fastmount is among the NZ Marine Export Group-coordinated display which includes:
- C-Tech which produces carbon fibre masts, booms, prods and poles for racing dinghies, sports boats and multihulls;
- Pacific Aerials, designer and manufacturer of VHF and UHF communications antennas;
- Fusion Electronics with their award-winning marine stereo equipment;
- McKay, marine electrical design engineers;
- MedAire which provides the yachting industry’s largest network of medical and safety professionals, and specialised medical training and equipment;
- Events Clothing, marine clothing and superyacht uniform specialists;
- Superyacht Interiors, specialised designers and installers of superyacht interiors;
- Tru Design, designers and manufacturers of marine valves, skin fittings and hose nozzles, and;
- Stainless Downunder, luxury marine hardware manufacturer.
Doyle Sails has its own exhibition space at METS, as do fellow NZ Marine member companies C-Quip, which manufactures superior carbon fibre yacht boarding equipment; Manson Anchors, global suppliers of powerboat, sailing yacht and custom-made superyacht anchors; and Southern Spars, custom and production manufacturers of carbon fibre yacht masts, booms and rigging packages.
METS, which runs from 19 to 21 November this year, is the world’s largest trade exhibition of equipment, materials and systems for the international marine leisure industry. It is organised by Amsterdam RAI in association with ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations). The show’s target groups are yacht builders, naval architects, repair yards, distributors, dealers, wholesalers, captains, marina operators and equipment manufacturers from around the world.
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