Quality production drives Bavaria’s success

by Helen Hopcroft on 23 Apr 2007 North South Yachting is the sole Australian importer of the popular German built Bavaria Yachts and the highly regarded Danish built X-yachts. This year the Bavaria 33 Cruiser and the X 35 are finalists in the 2007 Australian Marine Awards. Sail-World spoke to North South Yachting’s Bob Mulkearns about how Bavaria’s high tech production process has contributed to its success.

‘…A German car manufacturing production line is the best way to describe it, with typical German efficiency and quality. The people helping in the design of the production line were people from Porsche and BMW. It’s probably the first of the yachting manufacturers to use car industry production line efficiencies and techniques.’

Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH is one of the biggest yacht builders in Europe. Their success is largely attributable to the solid reputation of their yachts and their willingness to embrace new production technologies. Their factory is reportedly one of the most modern yacht production facilities in the world.

Each year the Bavaria factory workforce of 600 people produces more than 4000 boats. As global demand increases, the number is steadily climbing. North South Yachting’s Cameron Percival explained that the streamlined production process means standardization of a consistently high quality build.

‘It’s a good consistent product out of the factory. They have a highly computerized, highly mechanized factory.’

With Bavaria relying heavily on automated car building techniques, labour costs are reduced to below 10% of total production costs.

‘That gives us a price advantage. Because you take a little of the human element out, you also take the inconsistencies out as well. Which we’re all prone to!’

Yachts and power boats are built on a conveyor assembly line. For many aspects of the assembly, computerized CNC machines are used. CNC means computer numerical control. The computer ‘controller’ drives a machine tool; it’s like a powerful drill that can think for itself.

Bavaria developed their first marine application CNC machines some years ago. At the time the machines were introduced they were unique in the shipbuilding industry.

The pattern of holes for deck fittings and hatches are stored via CAD/CAM. As a result their machines can drill precisely sized and positioned holes in the deck and hull with minimal deviation or error. This accuracy is important because it ensures that all the deck fittings fit tightly so no water can ingress.


The international commercial success of the company is a direct result of its innovative approach to production. Standardized production techniques and reduction in labour costs make Bavaria highly competitive.

‘Bavaria are a serious world player in the cruising yacht scene.’

But although Bavaria’s building methods are impressive, the brands success in Australia is largely attributable to importers North South Yachting’s commitment to customer service. Local consumers may appreciate the high standards that Bavaria’s automated building processes provide, but it’s the human factor that they like. North South Yachting sees its relationship with its clients as an ongoing one.

‘…We like to try and keep our clients involved in Bavaria and X-yachts and North South Yachting after they’ve purchased their boats.’

North South’s staff includes many highly skilled sailors with top level racing experience. Their expertise is used to help customers purchasing their first boat, preparing for a racing season or planning long distance cruising.

The company understands that the social side of boat ownership is important to many people. To this end, they organise a number of regattas and raft-up’s for Bavaria and X yacht owners.

‘As well as having the Sydney harbour regatta we also have one on Pittwater and about every quarter we try to do raft ups with owners. We go somewhere down creek or Pittwater or somewhere on the Harbour and just have a social evening with our clients. There’s an ongoing program with the whole Bavaria family thing.’

North South will soon launch an interactive website for its clients as part of its existing website; www.northsouthyachting.com.au
The site will include footage of the raft ups and regattas and the Bavaria and X-Yachts community.

‘So people can understand what it is if they want to get involved.’

North South Yachting’s commitment to customer care has meant they have built up a strong base of long term clients. Cameron said there were many people who were always interested in acquiring the latest offering from Bavaria or X Yachts.

‘There’s a lot of people who have been boating for the better part of thirty or forty years. And they’re the people that when new boats come out, or when new models in the range come out; they want to have a look at it. A little bit like cars. Some people update every 3…4…5 years with their cars. With boats it is similar; this creates opportunities for the second buyer and those wanting to stretch their boating dollar a little further’

Cameron reports that the Bavaria 37 and the Bavaria 42 has been selling well. The 37 comes in both a 2 and 3 cabin model.

‘The 37s proving very popular. That’s a great sized boat for people who have got a little bit of experience. This may be their second or third boat.’

‘And the other popular model is the Bavaria 42 cruiser. It’s a 3 cabin, 2 toilet, shower compartment boat. It provides people with a little bit of accommodation and a private en suite for the owner. And 2 extra cabins for their guests if they want them over for the weekend.’

There is a lot for North South’s regular customers to get excited about this year. North South will become the exclusive importer for the X-Yachts X-41. The first boat is due to arrive in September and North South intends to race it in the Rolex Sydney Hobart.

‘It’s been hugely popular in Europe and we’re hoping that that success will come to Australia as well.’

‘The X-35 has been out for 12 months now and has been a huge one design success in Europe. (It’s) the smaller version of the X-41.’

X-Yachts have announced that they will begin production on a brand new 34’ performance cruiser and 45’ cruiser. These yachts will be launched in Europe later in the year and in early 2008.

Contact details
Address : Quays Marina, 1856 Pittwater Road
City : Church Point
State : NSW
Postcode : 2105
Country : Australia
Phone : +61 2 9998 9600
Fax : +61 2 9979 3244
Email : sales@northsouthyachting.com.au

http://www.northsouthyachting.com.au