Riviera delivers 4,000th vessel

by IBI/Sail-World on 9 Nov 2006 Australian cruiser manufacturer Riviera has announced the completion of its 4,000th vessel. — the Riviera M400 Sport Cruiser. New owners Steven and Tania James, keen boaters and owners of a glass tinting business in Townsville, took possession of the 12.3m (40ft) vessel, Tintacles, last Friday at the company's Coomera-based headquarters on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Riviera claims to be the largest luxury boat manufacturer in Australia. 'The company was founded 25 years ago with a handful of staff,' says Moxey. 'It has been a process of strong and steady growth and now we are building around 380 boats every year and we are ranked among the top 10 luxury boatbuilders in the world.'

CEO Wes Moxley called it a great achievement for the company. 'We have Riviera's all over the world so it is great to see that the 4,000th boat is going to stay in Queensland and will be enjoyed by local boating enthusiasts,' he said.

Last month the again proved it is Queensland's top exporter by winning the State Exporter of the Year title for the second year running.
Riviera chief executive Wes Moxey said the company was surprised to win the award, despite being the reigning titleholder.

While its products were aimed at the luxury end of the market, manufacturing was anything but a 'sexy' industry.

'Manufacturing is a tough game and it doesn't have the profile of some other industries. But the guys here did the work, they have a commitment to quality and this award belongs to them as much as anyone,' he said.

Riviera had taken steps to counter the skill shortage problem with a schools-based apprenticeship program introduced more than 10 years ago, said Mr Moxey.
'We don't complain about (skill shortages), we just train our own.'
More than 300 trades’ people have been trained through the program, which encompasses 33 schools between Tweed and south Brisbane.

All staff are on permanent contracts, something of a rarity in an industry dominated by casuals.

And there is no shortage of work for them. The company's annual turnover has grown from $130 million to $320 million in the past four years, it is building about eight boats a week and more than half the annual production is exported.
Riviera recently appointed a dealer in China, a potentially huge untapped market.

The dealer plans to open four marinas there, and as part of that, Chinese government officials who give approval for such developments will tour the Gold Coast in the next few days.

The national exporter of the year awards will be held in Melbourne on November 30.