RESURGENT Australian luxury boat designer and manufacturer, Riviera, has celebrated a 25 percent boost in sales at the recent Sydney International Boat Show, as well as picking up two awards.

Riviera chairman and owner, Rodney Longhurst.

Riviera’s new 50 Enclosed Flybridge seemed to be the vessel that impressed luxury boat buyers with its world release at the show. There were multiple sales of the model among Riviera’s $14.8 million in total retail sales at the event.

Riviera’s chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst said he was extremely proud of Riviera’s achievements at the Sydney International Boat Show.

"The past 16 months at Riviera has been a true career highlight for me and it is extremely gratifying to see Riviera return to its former glory,” Mr Longhurst said. “I am proud to announce that my family settled on the purchase of Riviera’s 14-hectare Coomera property on July 8, and if the recent boat show results are anything to go by, I believe Riviera can look forward to a very bright future."

Riviera -- which just a couple of years ago was enduring a long period of Global Recession-induced decline and subsequent administration -- recorded 10 new boat sales across all models from 36 feet to 63 feet, including one 3600 Sport Yacht, one 445 SUV, three 50 Enclosed Flybridges, two 5000 Sport Yachts, one Belize 54, one 565 SUV, and one 63 Enclosed Flybridge.

"It has certainly been a very prosperous time for Riviera with $51.8 million in total retail sales recorded over the past nine weeks," Mr Longhurst said.

"It was also an honour to win two BIA awards for Best Marine Display and Best Overall Display at this year’s Sydney show.

"I commend our team of master craftsmen and designers for the huge effort they have put into creating and building our first 50 Enclosed Flybridge for world release at the show. I would also like to publicly recognise the tremendous support from our dedicated crew who worked tirelessly over the five days of the show.”

Riviera’s chief executive officer Wes Moxey said Riviera’s new models have been extremely well received.

“Riviera’s sales at the Sydney International Boat Show are up by 25 percent on last year signifying the growth that Riviera is now enjoying and we have a significant number of sea trials booked across the range so we expect this number to grow over the coming weeks,” Mr Moxey said.

"The new design features of the 50 Enclosed Flybridge really impressed boating enthusiasts at the show. The fresh approach to the Euro style interior with a very impressive accommodation plan comprises three generous and equally sized cabins and two equally large bathrooms.

"The island barbecue centre with two transom doors and the extended swim platform creates one massive entertaining deck. The all new 50 is certainly a very spacious and accommodating boat.

“With more than 58,000 visitors attending the show over the five day event, the Sydney International Boat Show has proved to be an extremely successful show for Riviera and Belize.

"Riviera has also just finished the 2013 financial year and we are pleased to announce that 55 percent of our luxury new boats were exported last year, which is a significant achievement. We can definitely see the return to confidence in both the United States and Australian markets with a large number of our recent sales bound for international ports.

"Riviera now has a very busy production schedule with our order books filled into the New Year, in fact, our forward order sales are double the volume they were this time last year, and we are actively looking to grow our production staff numbers to meet this rising demand.”

Mr Moxey said preparations are already underway for the Auckland On Water Boat Show in New Zealand in September, the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in October, and the Gold Coast International Marine Expo in November.

Riviera is well on the way to full recovery and now offers 15 different models from 36 to 75 feet across three model series Flybridge, Sport Yacht and the new SUV collection.

In 2012 Riviera celebrated the launch of its 5000th boat, the 445 SUV, a significant achievement in the company’s rich 33-year history.

www.rivieraaustralia.com

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ECONOMIC pressure on Australian coal companies is actually sparking greater innovation within local service industries, according to WDS Energy Drilling & Completions.

Innovation comes into play with coal industry seeing a slowdown. Image: Tourism Queensland.

WDS's general manager, Declan Rooney said the mining business landscape was undergoing enormous change because of cost pressures, but that was turning out to have a longer term effect on sustainability.

"Australia's coal industry is doing it tough and controlling costs is a top priority but there is a silver lining," Mr Rooney said.

"Miners are looking for integrated suppliers in a highly competitive market so service industries and contractors are becoming more efficient and productive.

"We have responded with the introduction of our Earth to Energy concept which offers a whole suite of world-class services, allowing them to focus on their core business."

The company has trademarked its Earth to Energy concept, which focuses on listening to customers and partnering with them to come up with cost-effective services that do not sacrifice quality, according to Mr Rooney.

"For example, we have recently introduced new drilling technologies, a seismic service and reviewed our cost structures to make sure we're supporting the miners during this tough time."

Operations manager Doug Henderson said WDS Energy Drilling & Completions found adaptation was the key to dealing with a soft market.

"Our drilling business works closely with other parts of the WDS Limited group providing pipelines, fabrication, gas drainage and field services to make sure we can offer our customers a one-stop shop," Mr Henderson said.

"We have to be able to support projects from feasibility stage through development, production and site rehabilitation.

"Value for money is more important than ever but that's pushing contractors to be astute and inventive."

WDS is an Australian integrated provider of specialist development, design, engineering, construction, fabrication and maintenance services to the resources and infrastructure sectors.

www.wdslimited.com.au

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