25 October 2023
A total of 36 companies and individuals from 14 countries have been nominated for this year’s Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement 2023, in association with Raymarine.
Final decisions were made by an international panel of 10 subject matter experts from an initial selection of 90 high-quality entries across 11 categories.
The judges eventually shortlisted 33 nominations and additionally identified who would receive this year’s Lifetime Achievement and Rising Star awards during a gala dinner at Amsterdam’s Maritime Museum on Thursday, 16 November 2023.
The Boat Builder Awards are jointly organised by British publication IBI and METSTRADE in association with marine electronics manufacturer Raymarine, to reward the outstanding business achievements of individuals and teams working across the worldwide leisure boat and superyacht sector. The awards focus attention on key sector priorities – innovation, collaboration, environment, talent and marketing.
“The IBI METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards remains uniquely focused on the essential behind-the-scenes ingredients that make the global yacht manufacturing industry successful,” says chair of the judging panel and IBI Editor, Ed Slack.
“This year, the standout growth area was in entries covering our two sustainability categories, an indicator that the sector is rapidly moving up the bell curve in its efforts from early pioneering environmental projects towards driving lifecycle approaches into a business-as-usual reality. The incidence of innovative younger businesses making an impact is another striking theme.
“Our awards evening will reflect the great strength of manufacturers large and small, as well as the individuals and teams that make them what they are today.”
METSTRADE director Niels Klarenbeek adds, “The Boat Builder Awards, supported by our long-standing partner Raymarine, is one of the traditional highlights of METSTRADE, the world’s largest gathering of leisure marine professionals. It provides an essential focal point for the thousands of METSTRADE visitors who work for the global yacht construction industry and allied trades, as well as those who supply the equipment and materials for them.
“This year’s strong field of entries from four continents reflects the truly international standing of the Boat Builder Awards. We look forward to welcoming guests to the magnificent National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam on Thursday 16 November as we celebrate the very best of the best boat building and superyacht yard business achievements for 2023.”
Tickets for the 2023 Boat Builder Awards are available online, with individual tickets priced at €300 plus VAT.
Customer of Tomorrow
Breakthrough Launch of the Year (sponsored by High Pressure Watermakers)
Innovative Design Solution (sponsored by Fusion)
Supply Chain Collaboration – production boats (sponsored by Ultraflex)
Supply Chain Collaboration – superyachts
Sustainability Project of the Year (sponsored by ePropulsion)
Eco-focused Boat of the Year (sponsored by Marine Resources)
Designer of the Year
People and Skills Development
Rising Star (sponsored by Lumishore)
This category celebrates those aged 35 or under, working for a boat builder, making a growing impact on any aspect of their business. The judges’ pick of the global industry’s young talent will be revealed on the evening.
Lifetime Achievement (sponsored by Sleipner)
The awards evening culminates with the much-anticipated Lifetime Achievement Award.