Marine Industry Luncheon another success for Southport Yacht Club

by Bob Wonders on 20 May 2010 Earlier this week I attended the third annual Marine Industry Luncheon at the Southport Yacht Club, here on the Queensland Gold Coast, and was privileged to hear one of the best guest speakers I've experienced for some time. The ‘man at the mike' was none other than CEO of the Superior Group, John Hogan, whom I have known for some time without realising what an interesting individual he is.

It was an excellent turnout, although numbers did appear slightly down on previous years. Rob Mundle, a director of the Southport Yacht Club and well known as a yachting commentator and author, again proved an admirable master of ceremonies.

Of course, the highlight of such gatherings is the chance to catch up with industry colleagues and among those I was delighted to cross paths with were Don Jones, general manager of Marine Queensland, Maritimo national sales manager Peter Jenkins, Bellingham Marine's Jack Spragg, Charles Dickson, of the Gold Coast Marine Industry Association and old Sydney Harbour ‘sparring partner' Michael Jarvin, of Riviera Marine.

Many interstate visitors were among the guests, most in town for the 22nd Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Introducing John Hogan, MC Mundle informed the gathering that the Superior Jetties manufacturer was, among other things, a former classical violinist and a very handy man with a guitar. Well, one does indeed learn something every day. John Hogan's talk certainly did prove to be the highlight of the day.

He reminisced about his early days (as a cane cutter, would you believe!) and a period spent working in the mining industry in the United States. On his return to Australia, he was determined to purchase a company and ‘make a go of it' and actually discovered Superior for sale when trolling the web. 'It was a plastics moulding company and I thought why not, I can do that,' he said.

'We were located in Nerang (a central Gold Coast suburb) and one day I was driving in my car with the radio on and there was a news broadcast that reported a fire in a plastics factory at Nerang. I thought what a coincidence, I have a plastics factory and it's in Nerang. As soon as I drove over the next hill, I knew it was more than just a coincidence. It was my factory,' he added.

That may well have been the end for a lesser man, but John Hogan simply decided it was time to work harder. 'We salvaged an oven from the embers and kept chasing orders and that's where I learnt the value of competitors who became friends; we outsourced orders to people who were rivals, but who became friends and remain so to this day. We re-made moulds for companies like Riviera, who was able to allow us the time to achieve our aim of delivering the right product at the right time.'

When the Superior Jetties segment of the Superior Group began to experience success, John looked to export opportunities. He urged prospective exporters to use the help that is freely available. 'Join AIMEX (Australian International Marine Export Group), make maximum use of Austrade, the State Government Department of Trade, the Gold Coast City Council's economic development people, they are all there to help, ' he told the audience.

He also advised exhibitors at overseas boat shows not to be disheartened if interest seemed minimal at first attempt. 'When exhibiting overseas you really need to become a regular attendee at the major shows, after three or four exhibitions people start to realise you are a serous contender,' he said.

John said he was particularly proud when ‘home grown' Australian companies succeeded on international markets. 'I think some of that success can be attributed to the fact that Australian generally are a determined breed, we come from a small population and whatever business one may be in it's a tough market,' he explained.

'But I believe Australia has a good image overseas; we're seen as politically stable, professional and an image of being ‘clean and green',' he added.

It was both an educational and an entertaining talk from a man who has enjoyed and is enjoying success. But although he may not have used the expression, he did indeed show that the harder one works the luckier one gets!