Mayoral nod

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate officiated at the opening of Element Concepts' new carbon workshop.

08 February 2023

Mayor Tom Tate toured The Boat Works and officially opened Element Concepts’ dedicated carbon workshop with a unique ribbon cutting.

The ingenuity and craftsmanship of Element Concepts are attracting global clients and employing more locals, thanks to its high-tech manufacturing skills within the marine industry.

“Element Concepts, typifies what is happening in our city … leading-edge businesses are taking their brand to global markets, employing more locals and diversifying our economy,’’ said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

Last year, Element Concepts Managing Director Levi Duncan joined Council officers & AIMEX, the Australian International Marine Export Group on a US trade mission to Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The mission had six marine industry businesses represented, with each business paying its own costs. More than 100,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors were on show.

The mission created around $4.2 million in value for the city’s businesses, resulting in more Gold Coasters being employed across a range of fields.

The 40-foot Blackwatch, Back in Black.

Carbon fibre is used for its combination of strength and lightness. It's five times stronger than steel and one-third its weight.

Element Concepts is expanding, hiring new staff and seeking more to keep pace with demand.

Element Concepts team with Mayor Tom Tate (centre) at the official workshop opening with Director Levi Duncan (right) and The Boat Works owner/CEO Tony Longhurst (far right).

Levi Duncan, Mayor Tate and Tony Longhurst commemorate the occasion with a carbon-fibre ribbon-cutting.

Element Concepts, who have pioneered carbon-fibre game towers for the competitive angling sector, secured several orders from the East Coast region of the US.

Since its Fort Lauderdale visit, the business has expanded its advanced manufacturing onsite at The Boat Works marine facility and taken on three new employees, as well as advertising for five additional staff.

“Once owners and boat builders see how superior our carbon fibre towers are, and how easy they can be packed and transported internationally, it’s an easy upgrade to a sophisticated product,” said Levi Duncan.

Following on from this successful outcome, The Boat Works welcomed Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate onsite to inspect Element Concepts’ Carbon workshop along with endorsing the official opening with the ribbon cutting.

Certainly not the standard ribbon; this ceremony was marked with a ‘carbon fibre’ ribbon for the official proceedings with the vessel’s Owners, Element Concepts staff and owner of The Boat Works, Tony Longhurst.

This great Aussie invention has evolved at a rapid pace since the launch of the successful refit onboard the 40-foot Blackwatch game boat Back in Black in October 2022.

A revolution in boatbuilding, creating not just a stronger and lighter than aluminium or stainless-steel game tower, but one that is foiled with an elliptical frame for aerodynamic advantage. Back n Black’s 8-metre tower, if built from aluminium, could weigh as much as a tonne.

Carbon composite fibre is known and used for its combination of strength and lightness. It’s five times stronger than steel and one-third its weight. A 100-percent Carbon Tower is approximately 70-percent lighter than a tower built from traditional materials.

“A massive saving, as well as being strong and stable, and it looks sexy as hell!” said Levi. “Element Concepts clients tell us they want their towers to be durable and practical, as well as eye-catching. The carbon fibre tower is totally unique and a real head-turner.”

carbongametowersinternational.com
theboatworks.com.au

Previous article

Great Dane

Next article

Successful evolution