Fairline opens Singapore office

by Saltwater PR on 18 Feb 2009 In support of its growing interests in Asia, leading luxury performance motor yacht manufacturer Fairline Boats has set up Fairline Boats Asia with a dedicated corporate office in Singapore, headed up by Bryan Jones.

Jones, who has held the position of Global Marketing Manager for Fairline Boats in the UK for eight years, has transferred to Singapore and taken up the position of President of Fairline Boats Asia. Key territories within this area include the dynamic economies of China, Hong Kong, India and Singapore.

On announcing the opening of the Asian office, James Robinson, Sales and Marketing Director of Fairline Boats commented, 'This is an area rich in potential for the growth of luxury boat sales. We already have seven excellent dealers in Asia but recognise that to truly support this existing business and expand our market audience via new dealerships, a dedicated office is required. Bryan's skill and knowledge gained through marketing the Fairline brand coupled with eight years of experience at the UK office will be invaluable to dealers and customers in the area.'

As part of the company's growth in Asia, Fairline recognised early development of South Korea's marine infrastructure and the rapid emergence of its boating industry. Fairline leads the luxury motor yacht market presence in South Korea with the recent appointment of a new dealer, CK marine Group, joining the Fairline dealer network as 'Fairline South Korea' and trading from Seoul.

Founded in 2005, CK Marine Group is headed up by Kenny Kang who possesses a wealth of knowledge of the marine business and boasts a strong background in management, specialising in sales and marketing. Before establishing CK Marine Group, Kenny supervised the construction, business implementation of the first commercial sailing charter boat organisation in Korea. Kenny was also one of the pioneers of the Korean marine industry, part managing and marketing the concept.

Findings from a market report carried out in 2008 by Marine Consultant, Mike Derrett found that South Korea is currently number 13 in the world ranking for gross domestic product with GDP per head at 24,000 US$ and that the leisure boating market is currently a similar size to Singapore and Hong Kong in terms of the number of boats, at 5,000. Derrett also identified that the country has significant potential to become one of the key leisure boating markets in Asia due to a large middle class population of 46 million and a substantial coastline that has recently opened up for marine leisure as a result of the reduction in tension between North Korea.

Marina development in South Korea is underway and with 'Seoul Marina' scheduled to be built over the coming year, Fairline South Korea plans to open a new showroom on site when the marina is completed.

Fairline South Korea is representing Fairline at the second Korea International Boat Show in June 2009 after a very successful first year exhibition in 2008 by Fairline.

More at www.fairline.com