Seawind Catamarans have been awarded the Australian Marine Exporter of the Year award, at the 2010 Australian International Marine Export (AIMEX) awards. Seawind also won the Best Marine Industry Export Marketing Strategy award.
Seawind 1250 Catamaran - Image credit to seawindcats
Managing director and founder of Seawind Catamarans Richard Ward said winning the awards was “extremely pleasing” and for which the company owed its loyal customers and talented team of boatbuilders.
“Even against a strong Australian dollar and cheaper competition, Seawind Catamarans is surviving and, indeed, prospering and this is a testament to the high quality of Seawind’s designs and construction,” Mr Ward said.
“AIMEX is to be congratulated and applauded for its strong stand in promoting Australian manufacturers.”
Seawind Catamarans is Australia’s largest designer and builder of ocean capable cruising catamarans and has been operating for over 28 years. Offering four distinct models – 1000, 1160, 1250 and 1050 Resort yacht– the company exported 40 per cent of its 2009 production. Export destinations include the USA, British Virgin Islands, Thailand, Hong Kong and Italy.
With 10 dealers around the world and through attendance of 19 international boat shows (of which 13 are outside Australia), Seawind Catamarans is thoroughly committed to the export market. Recent exports to strategically significant markets such as the Caribbean charter sector and the Mediterranean cruising sector means Seawind is establishing important footholds in popular leisure and commercial sailing destinations. Also of significance is the recent delivery of three new catamarans to the Pacific Northwest region of Seattle and surrounds opening the San Juan Islands, Canadian coastline and cruising grounds that stretch as far north as Alaska.
Seawind employs a combination of innovative and traditional marketing strategies to target leisure and charter markets. An integrated website allows customers and dealers to access detailed and up-to-date information on all products and services. Modern social media platforms mean owners can have conversations anywhere in the world, sharing their interest and enthusiasm for the yachts. Seawind prioritises the customer community and engages current and potential customers through the use of podcasts and webinars covering subjects such as ’Catamaran Cruising‘ and ’Charter Ownership’.
Upcoming boat shows where Seawind Catamarans will be displayed include Annapolis (USA, Oct 2010), Phuket (Thailand, Jan 2011) and Miami (USA, Feb 2011).
