Dutch boating sector records 3.5% first-half growth

HISWA Holland Marine Industry recorded a 3.5% growth rate in sales in the first half of 2019 compared to the same 2018 period.

That figure sets the trade group on course to repeat this year its 4.9% growth rate of 2018.

“We saw good growth in the retail and maintenance sectors,” in the first half of 2019, says HISWA member services manager Jeroen van den Heuvel.

He adds finding “good, skilled labour is a challenge” and that labour shortages hinder further growth in manufacturing and maintenance.

Van den Heuvel says 28% of HISWA’s 900 or so members is looking for personnel. That group includes “almost half of all yacht builders” but yacht importers and service companies are also reporting vacancies.