Riviera awards excellence
by Riviera Australia 27 Aug 2019 02:01 PDT
Receiving the Riviera Dealership of the Year and Service Excellence by a Dealership Awards for 2019 © Riviera Studio
Australia's premium luxury motor yacht builder Riviera has recognised the incredible efforts of its R Marine network - the largest luxury motor yacht group in Australia and New Zealand.
The 2019 Riviera Australian and New Zealand Dealer Awards saw R Marine dealerships across three states and two countries honoured for their outstanding commitment to excellence in service and sales.
Victoria's R Marine Jacksons were recognised twice in the 2019 awards with the prestigious Dealership of the Year and Service Excellence by a Dealership - while New Zealand's R Marine Flagship was recognised with the Sales Excellence by a Dealership award.
In individual honours, Travis Edney from Gold Coast-based R Marine Crawley won the Service Excellence by an Individual award and R Marine Sydney's Simon Don received the Sales Excellence by an Individual.
Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst said the award recipients embodied the outstanding service and expertise found across the R Marine network, which exclusively represents the region's market leader in luxury motor yachts, Riviera and Belize throughout Australia and New Zealand.
"Riviera has a proud 39-year heritage of refining what is today one the world's leading luxury motor yachts and the specialists at all R Marine dealerships ensure our new boat owners receive the outstanding customer service and ongoing technical care they deserve," he said.
"With customer feedback a crucial criterium in many of the awards, it's a credit to the recipients that they have been recognised by the most important judges we have when it comes to quality and service - our boat owners.
"Across the R Marine network, a team of more than 50 field service staff, a fleet of more than 30 mobile service vehicles and a combined 650 years of Riviera knowledge supports our owners daily.
"In addition, our leading network offers our owners more than 80 individual boating, educational and fun-filled social events each year in Australia and New Zealand - empowering a greater understanding and enjoyment of boating whilst enhancing the unique essence of the Riviera family of boat owners."
"The men and women who make up our R Marine dealer network are the ultimate marine professionals."
Twin triumphs for R Marine Jacksons Victoria
R Marine Jacksons dealer principal Stuart Jackson said being named Australia and New Zealand's Dealership of the Year was very humbling given the quality of the dealerships within the network.
"We are thrilled to be recognised because I know what a great job all the R Marine dealerships do," said Mr Jackson, whose family-owned business has been a Riviera dealer for Victoria since 1984.
"Everyone across the network has such high standards and puts so much effort into looking after their boat owners. We're just one big family and it's nice to know both our boat owners and Riviera appreciate what we do."
R Marine Jacksons was also presented with the award for Service Excellence by a Dealership, the first time it has claimed two awards in one year.
"People ask the secret of our success and it's simple - we just do the best we can in every facet of our dealership," Mr Jackson said.
"We treat our clients as we would want to be treated ourselves and always explore avenues to keep them on the water. We had one gentleman recently who lost a sensor on an engine at 4pm on a Friday and when we couldn't source one at such short notice, we ended up borrowing a sensor so he could still escape for the weekend.
"It took three hours of driving to get the job done but we refused to accept 'no' until we could do no more. We don't take our owners for granted. We know they have a choice and it's an honour that they trust their boating with us."
Ultimate feedback for R Marine Crawley Gold Coast
The thought of winning the Service Excellence by an Individual award never crossed Travis Edney's mind in the lead-up to the awards presentation.
"I didn't have any inkling until the award was announced," he said. "There are many very professional people in the R Marine network so to be singled out in that company is a real honour."
Mr Edney, who has been with R Marine Crawley since 2017, said it was particularly satisfying knowing the award was based on customer feedback.
"It's nice to receive such positive feedback after putting in a big effort," he said.
"We've got a great team at R Marine Crawley and I honestly couldn't do what I do without the support of my colleagues, particularly service manager Charlie Koole. We've got a great culture based on always being proud of the job we're doing and taking the extra time to do it properly.
"We're extremely privileged to work on such quality motor yachts. There is no better boat builder than Riviera. They are the pinnacle and there is nowhere else you'd want to be."
Simon shines at R Marine Sydney
R Marine Sydney's Simon Don identified several factors when asked how he was presented the Sales Excellence by an Individual award.
"A lot of referrals are coming through and I'm also seeing clients move into their second or third Rivieras with me now," said Mr Don.
"There's a great sense of pride knowing there are clients who have been so happy with their service that they are now referring their friends or looking to work with me again."
Mr Don, who has worked for R Marine Sydney and with Riviera for a decade, said it was always such an honour to get to know boat owners looking to join 'The Riviera Family'.
"In this role you build a long-term relationship with your owners and the truth is we often become friends."
Dean's team waves NZ flag
R Marine Flagship dealer principal Dean Horgan paid tribute to his entire team after being recognised with the Sales Excellence by a Dealership award.
"This is an amazing team effort that is shared with every member of the R Marine Flagship team," he said.
"This award is validation of our dealership's exceptional growth over the past year, the unrelenting dedication and passion for excellence by all our team in every aspect of the dealership and especially their tireless commitment.
"What I believe sets us apart is our total commitment to service."
That commitment includes hosting a traditional launching ceremony whenever a new boat is delivered - an event that has occurred many times during the past 12 months.
"Every owner is welcomed into 'The Riviera Family' and we pull out all stops to celebrate this occasion. Our ultimate success is our team focus on delivering the Riviera experience." Mr Horgan said.
2019 Riviera Australian and New Zealand Dealer Awards
Dealership of the Year - R Marine Jacksons
Sales Excellence by a Dealership - R Marine Flagship
Sales Excellence by an Individual - Simon Don - R Marine Sydney
Service Excellence by a Dealership - R Marine Jacksons
Service Excellence by an Individual - Travis Edney - R Marine Crawley