Stella Marine announces new era in Aussie-made hydraulic systems

Fleet Hydrol © Stella Marine

Sliding chocks ©Stella Marine

Swim platform ©Stella Marine

Maritimo 73 and Princess 46 © Stella Marine

With the ambition of taking Australian-made ingenuity to the world, Stella Marine has purchased the IP and patents on the Fleet-Hydrol range of hydraulic swim platform supports and will begin manufacturing them from their headquarters at The Boat Works, Coomera.

Stella Marine will celebrate the official launch of the Fleet-Hydrol range under the Stella brand at the 2019 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, 23 to 26 May, followed by the Sydney International Boat Show in August and Perth boat show in September.

The company will begin its global campaign at the METSTRADE Show (METS) in Amsterdam in November as part of the Australian AIMEX-Superyacht Australia contingent.

Established in Brookvale, NSW in 1960 by David Butchart, then continued and expanded by Trevor Butchart, Fleet-Hydrol specialises in the manufacture of high-quality hydraulic equipment, in high demand around Australia and internationally.

As Gary Cooper from Stella Marine explained "Over the past 10 years, we have used the Fleet-Hydrol systems in many swim platform installations and we believe they are the best hydraulic swim platform mechanisms in the market bar none".

"When Trevor announced he was retiring, we were quick to take up the reins to ensure the legacy he has built with his amazing products continues to grow and evolve."

Stella Marine will manufacture the stainless-steel arms and hydraulic mechanisms for swim platforms in vessels from 25 to 150ft.

"The Fleet-Hydrol mechanism uses a patented hydraulic system in which both sides move in perfect unison. It also incorporates a positive lock in mechanism that holds it firm in all positions, from low to high and spreads the load better than any other system."

Included in the Fleet-Hydrol range are tender chock sliding systems and single person lift, which Stella Marine will add to their expanding range of high-quality products.

Swim platform - photo © Stella Marine

The business will invest in more CNC machinery and additional skilled labour with up to five more in the areas of machinist, fabricator or mechanical engineer, joining the current team of 17 that also includes in-house designers.

"We currently manufacture the Stella brand of watermakers and air-conditioning and diesel heating products which do very well in the market," said Gary.

"We are moving more into manufacturing because we have found that there is a lot of support for Australian designed and made products both locally and around the world."

Gary and his team at Stella Marine and Stella Systems are looking forward to presenting the Fleet-Hydrol range at SCIBS 2019, before focusing on further developing the brand's profile with international boat builders and other resellers.

"We are so proud to be carrying on Trevor's legacy," added Gary. "The Fleet-Hydrol hydraulic systems are by far the best and most reliable available and are a perfect fit for the Stella Marine Group and its capability there's nothing like them on the market. We believe the sky's the limit!"

More at stellamarine.com.au