PIMEX 2006 closes on a High

The recent close of the Phuket International Boat Show - PIMEX 2006 - found many exhibitors in jubilant mood, celebrating sales or poised to announce successes once deals are finalised.

Eddie Elantsev of Best Dealz International was ‘overwhelmed’ with the results of the show. “We just wish we’d brought more display boats along,” he said. “We’ve had enquiries from so many customers. We’ve definitely sold one boat and we’ve made five or six strong contacts which may well lead to sales.”

Peter Dean of Dean Catamarans, exhibiting at PIMEX for the first time, was also amazed at the amount of interest. “We’ve been busy for the whole four days,” he enthused. “We’ve shown the 440 Espace and introduced the Powercat 550. There are several deals on the table and we’ve made numerous good contacts. We’ll definitely be back.”

Many exhibitors emphasised the networking opportunities that PIMEX provides. “A steady flow of quality visitors makes this an excellent show for making contacts. Especially of interest to us were the detailed discussions we held with senior Austrade representatives here for PIMEX, and we’ve been busy networking with other exhibitors too,” said Bob Mott of Silkline Asia. “PIMEX has provided us with a great opportunity to announce our company’s launch to the industry and – just two days after the show closed – we signed contracts [for the 6th Silkline 510 Series 51ft catamaran] with a client who visited PIMEX from the USA. This will be the first Silkline built in Thailand.”

Other newcomers agreed. “It was well worth our time to be at PIMEX, seeing and being seen,” said Gerson Zimmerman of TCM Asia. “This is a stepping stone towards us exporting around Asia ,” Graham Philip of San-i-loo concurred.

Elite Yachting’s Peter Walsh reported four strong potential buyers and was confident of selling at least one Bavaria yacht, while Craig Murphy, of Sunseeker’s Thailand dealers Max Marine, was keeping results close to his chest. “We’ve had an excellent show and that’s all  I’m going to say until the contracts are signed,” he said. Murphy’s optimism was echoed by Gordon Hui of Sunseeker Asia, who added, “We are following up with a few potential buyers for a 72ft-plus as we speak.”

PIMEX is not only about selling boats; evidence of Phuket’s expanding property market was seen in the number of visitors interested in purchasing island homes from the 11 property exhibitors. Royal Phuket Marina tapped into the ‘total lifestyle’ concept of the show with both a property booth and boats in the water promoting their cruising club. “We’ve sold two boat shares and have gathered plenty of high quality leads. More sales will come as a direct result of PIMEX.” said RPM Cruising Club’s James Egan.

Tony Nixie of Go Boating, the Thailand dealer for Gulfcraft, was well aware of the huge potential. “The home market is vital to us,” he emphasised. “This market is maturing, with customers upgrading from ‘day’ boats to ‘weekend’ boats. We’ve made one definite sale during the four days and could easily have four more as a result of contacts made. This has been a phenomenal show - we’re glad PIMEX is here.”

Steve Price of Blue Lagoon Shipyards was also upbeat about local growth. “We’re looking forwards to entering the market here,” he said, explaining that his company intends to look closely at setting up a Thailand boat building facility. Price gathered useful information and contacts in this respect by attending the PIMEX seminar held with senior Thailand Board of Investment officials.

That Phuket is at the centre of a growing market is not in doubt. As organiser Andy Dowden said in his closing speech, “We are at the centre of the marine industry in SE Asia . While the market may not be growing as quickly as we anticipated, it is bound to explode in the not-too-distant future. The aim of PIMEX is to enable contacts to be made, to help exhibitors find agents, so they are ready to take advantage of the burgeoning market…”

With a larger on-water display than ever before, 4,400 visitors, at least 10 boats sold, and plenty of deals on the table, work has already begun to ensure that PIMEX 2007 is an even greater success.

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