Awards for Manson

By IBI Magazine

Manson Anchors has followed its runner up award in the Safety and Security Category in The Yacht Report's ISTIA Awards by clinching the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Creative Design Award at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show.

Manson's success was centred on the custom anchors designed and manufactured especially for Mirabella V.

The anchors were the world's largest Stainless Steel Ray-type anchors weighing 600kg (1300lbs) and 400kg (900lbs).

The ISTIA Awards were announced at the recent SEAS2004 Show. The goal of the ISTIA programme is to focus on small, medium or large aspects of each project or product and judge the impact they have on our industry as a whole.

Any product, innovation or technical solution that has been created, conceived or installed since the beginning of the millennium, 01.01.00, was eligible for entry. There was one winner and one runner up in each of the six categories.

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show Award criteria was based on companies that had achieved success and recognition in the international arena. Applicants had to demonstrate a product or service, created in New Zealand that through innovative design solved a unique issue. The intellectual property had to be owned by a New Zealand company.

Judges comments from the New Zealand show stated, "Manson Anchors took a basic component of every boat, and considerably redesigned it to be not only aesthetically pleasing but a real feature on one of the best yachts in the world."

Manson Anchors senior vice president Steve Mair noted that "the awards would go a long way to establishing real credibility and awareness in the world market. Our long term goal is to produce the best product available anywhere in terms of both safety and aesthetic appeal. We feel the awards give us a clear indication we are on the right path."

Mair said "We've spent the last 18 months upgrading our factory and facilities. In May we completed building New Zealand's largest test jig. This has enabled us to manufacture & certify much larger anchors than previously possible. Consequently our staff levels have risen by 40 per cent over the last 18 months. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise contributed significantly in July of 2002 which we now regard as a pivotal factor in achieving the international success. Basically it gave us the capacity to compete at a whole new level."

Mair indicated in the future Manson are seeking to extend their worldwide distribution channels and he welcomed inquiries from interested parties for distribution of either their stainless steel or galvanised product.

(16 June 2004)