Shipyards and boatbuilders reveal their expectations for boot Düsseldorf
Is exhibiting at boat shows such as boot Düsseldorf worth it? Around 1500 companies, including boatbuilders, exhibit at boot year on year and, even in this economic climate, new players are entering the arena.
In this three part series, MIN sits down with an exclusive selection of boatbuilders, yards and OEMs to understand what drives them to put their money on the table and why, when it comes to underpinning growth strategies (global and local), building lasting connections and seeing what the rest of the market is up to, boot Düsseldorf still ticks their boxes even in these turbulent times.
As Petros Michelidakis, director of boot Düsseldorf, pointed out last week in a MIN exclusive: “Everything has slowed down because many people don’t feel secure about their future. We see it everywhere — like the car and furniture business. There is a lot of things going on so the economy is not at its best at the moment.
“We know that the market may slow down for a certain period of time, but it will definitely come back. We hope that the first signs of it coming back will be in 2025.”
Today MIN interrogates Aiata, Cantieri Aschenez, and Cockwells to find out how they are leveraging the show to further their expansion strategies.
Aiata’s strategy is to establish brand as global player
Aiata, part of the Turkish conglomerate Anadolu Group, is making its global debut at boot Düsseldorf this year. It’ll be showcasing its first yacht model, the Wayfinder 38.
Yutkun Tok (pictured), Anadolu Motor’s general manager, says the company’s chosen to exhibit as part of its strategy to establish itself as a trusted brand among sea enthusiasts. It’s positioning the brand for growth in European and American markets by demonstrating the innovation and versatility of its flagship model.
“Strengthening the brand and speaking directly to the target market are top priorities for us [at the show]. This aligns with our goal of establishing the brand as a global player in the marine industry. Additionally, meeting new prospects and fostering partnerships are crucial for long-term growth and innovation.”
boot Düsseldorf, Tok says, offers the opportunity to develop relationships with potential customers, dealers, and industry stakeholders to build a robust distribution network for its modular Wayfinder 38.
He says that Aiata anticipates a growth in modular design trends and innovations in performance-driven boating solutions. The company is looking to boot to witness how customer preferences are evolving in areas like customisation, comfort, and technological integration.
“boot Düsseldorf can endure and thrive in a tech-dominated world because they offer a unique platform for face-to-face engagement,” Tok says. “Such events allow brands to showcase their products’ tangible qualities, like craftsmanship and design, while fostering direct connections with potential customers and industry professionals— a value that digital channels cannot fully replicate.”
Connecting with less accessible markets a driver for Cantieri Aschenez
Procopio Valentina (pictured), from the marketing department of Cantieri Aschenez, the boatbuilding shipyard behind two brands — Invictus Yacht (hall 5 / C20) and Capoforte (hall 4 / B60) — is looking for the chance to connect with distant markets at boot Düsseldorf.
“boot Dusseldorf always provides a great opportunity to talk about achievements and future projects. In addition, it offers the chance to connect with distant markets still that are not yet easily accessible, enabling us to explore new avenues and strengthen existing relationships.”
Valentina says that “the event is the most international boat show, making it an unmissable occasion for those in the sector,” and that’s why the company’s showcasing its GT280 (pictured above), with serial number 300 — an important milestone for Invictus Yacht. The GT280, the first model in the Invictus Yacht range, will be presented in a special Atelier version to highlight Cantieri Aschenez shipyard’s growth in research, development, and innovation.
It features a full carbon look finish. “This version benefits from an advanced construction process that utilises pre-preg carbon fibre, enhancing both the technical, structural, and aesthetic qualities of the material. These improvements translate into better product performance and a visually striking design,” says Valentina.
Having visitors experience its yachts in reality is important to the shipyard.
“In a digital world where boats may soon be explored through artificial intelligence and metaverse technologies, physical displays at boat shows become even more valuable,” says Valentina. “They offer the chance to experience firsthand the quality of the products and materials used. Invictus Yacht has always been dedicated to sourcing premium materials and paying meticulous attention to detail—elements that, when seen in person, highlight the brand’s significance and the shipyard’s commitment to production excellence. This is why boat shows will continue to be relevant, albeit with increasingly informed visitors.”
Boatbuilder Cockwells using boot Düsseldorf to venture further into Europe with its classic ranges
In 2025 British-based Cockwells will be venturing further into the European market. As well as looking forward to meeting lots of potential buyers, Dave Cockwell, founder and sales director of Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding (pictured above), is interested in seeing how the Duchy 35 is received at the show.
“We have been experiencing a high level of interest in our boats from potential clients in mainland Europe. In particular, we have seen strong interest in our new Hardy 45 European and new Duchy 45 models,” he says.
“Many of our European clients know Cockwells as a builder of superyacht tenders, so at boot Dusseldorf we aim to introduce the continent to the elegant Duchy Motor Launches brand and demonstrate that Hardy Motor Yachts are back and better than ever.”
He says that often clients discover his ranges at a show having not heard of them before. “Our boats really stand out from the crowd. On several occasions, we have sold boats to clients at boat shows who have never seen the boat before, and didn’t plan to buy a boat that day – sometimes people just fall in love the moment they step on board and experience the quality and design first-hand.”
Cockwells joined the Pendennis Group in 2024 and subsequently has increased its production capacity across both ranges mentioned. “This increase in capacity will enable us to build more hulls of our popular flagship model, the Duchy 35, to sell in the UK and Europe,” says Cockwell. He’s expecting to see more motorboats and less sailing boats at boot this year, and more vessels of high value rather than low value products. “I think we will also see more electric propulsion and green technology,” he says.
All Cockwells images supplied courtesy of Cockwells.
Don’t miss part two of this series, when MIN reveals how Greenline, Saxdor, Sunreef and Maxim will calculate their success at boot Düsseldorf.
The post Shipyards and boatbuilders reveal their expectations for boot Düsseldorf appeared first on Marine Industry News.
