Thirty-six companies from 15 countries were shortlisted for this year’s IBI-Metstrade Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement. The winners will be announced at a dinner during Metstrade in Amsterdam on Nov. 19. The awards are jointly organized by International Boat Industry magazine and Metstrade.
A statement noted that the 36 companies were selected from 82 nominations that were considered by an international panel of judges. The judges will also select a winner of the Rising Star category, for industry professionals up to age 35. It also gives a Lifetime Achievement Award.
“The field of entries that the judges considered was 25 percent up on last year and our largest yet,” said Ed Slack, group editor of IBI and head of the judging panel, in a statement. “We considered nominations spanning some of the smallest boats that our industry produces, right up to superyachts, and from niche producers through to volume manufacturers. You could see themes emerging on ways the industry is responding to its current challenges, from finding new customers and responding to environmental protection, to exploiting new technology.”
“In five years, we have seen the Boat Builder Awards grow in significance globally, reinforcing the critical importance of Metstrade as the most significant meeting point annually for boatbuilders and their supply chain collaborators,” said Irene Dros, group director maritime at RAI Amsterdam, in the statement.
For the shortlist of companies, see the statement.
