R&C expands manufacturing to China
By IBI Magazine
Robertson & Caine (R&C), the Cape Town, South Africa-based boatbuilder, has entered into a joint venture agreement with Chinese company Flying Eagle to manufacture its catamarans in China. The Flying Eagle factory is located in Fuyang City near Hang Zhou, one of China's largest cities. According to R&C, the new partnership will lead to a five-fold increase in production within five years.
"China has immense potential," says Ellian Perch, R&C's director. "The economy is huge and growing fast."
R&C will also benefit from direct access to cost-effective Chinese raw materials and components. Until now, the company sourced its products from Western countries. "This will allow us to be far more cost-competitive in the world arena," Perch adds.
Around 700-800 sail and power catamarans will be built at R&C's Cape Town and Chinese facilities over the next five years. According to R&C, some 90 per cent of the boats sold into China will be powerboats, and will sport a much more luxurious fit-out than those sold in other world markets, including South Africa.
R&C has also revealed that it has finally been given the go-ahead by South Africa's City of Cape Town to build a second local shipyard in Atlantis, which will boost the company's annual production of 120 boats in 2006 up to 350 by 2010.
Founded by John Robertson and Jerry Caine in 1991, R&C is one of the top three global manufacturers of cruising catamarans for the charter market. Its award-winning Leopard catamaran range includes the Leopard 40, Leopard 42, Leopard 43, Leopard 46 and the new Leopard Powercat 47.
(18 December 2007)
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