Gill Gears Up for Games
For more than 30 years, the UK technical apparel manufacturer, Gill has been "the brand for marine enthusiasts", including the Australian Sailing Team.
'Gill Compressor Vest'
Gill Marine
For four years, Paul Schulz has been at the helm as CEO of Gill Australia, running the Australian operations. He recalls a time when there were just two main brands, and now, in a relatively small marketplace, there are an additional four or five.
"It is highly competitive," he says. "But the Gill brand is firmly established in Australia, Gill is the official supplier of sailing clothing for the Australian Olympic Sailing Team, and our focus is on the technical and functional aspects of our products rather than just producing fashion designs.
'We're not distracted from our main focus which is to provide our customers with quality and value for money products."
Schulz himself is a well-known 18ft skiff sailor, "with a lot of second and third places" under his belt, according to his own self-depreciating description.
Prior to working with Gill, he owned a marine retail store in Perth and before that, he was in the building trade.
"This is a bit different," he admits. "But I enjoy the marine industry and sailing is a passion of mine."
In Australia, Gill has good support and exposure from retailers spread around the country. Globally, Gill is in the top 3, reports Schulz, and in North America it is firmly entrenched as the biggest brand in sailing.
"We also sponsor ocean racing clubs with offshore gear and have been the supplier of technical gear for the Australian Olympic Sailing Team and Yachting Australia for the last three years.
From dinghy to offshore, Gill designs and manufactures performance clothing to suit each division's requirements, scouring the world for the best fabrics. 
"We are not tied to just one fabric manufacturer which means we can be innovative and change our ranges to suit conditions, like Qingdao, or as technology evolves."
As official provider for the Australian Olympic Sailing Team for the past three years, Gill has worked closely with athletes and experts to create a range that equips our national team for their optimal performance.
"We work exclusively with competition sailors at all levels of the sport to ensure we receive the most accurate feedback on every product development project.
'The Australian range is very different, for example, from the northern European ranges. We have a warmer climate and therefore, use different fabrics and different designs. 
"For Qingdao, we have had to consider the conditions. All the Olympic team's gear has been specially made - light-weight, easy breathe, to suit the warm, humid conditions. They're light coloured - grey and white, which is unique - and made to be highly flexible and quick drying with strong UV protection."
Schulz predicts excellent results for the Australian team. " We have very talented sailors who have achieved great results leading into the Olympics. The location will be the real challenge.
'Qingdao is going to be incredibly difficult. There's the light fluky breezes, lots of tide, fog. But all competitors will be up against the same conditions."
Key to the success of the Australian operations is the annual visit by company founder, Nick Gill, who visits retailers and introduces the new product lines and gets direct feedback on product sales and expansion around Australia.
"It's not very often the MD of an international company makes a visit each year to its Australian distributor," says Schulz.
"They try to keep a close eye on opportunities here and what's unique about our market."
More at www.gillaustralia.com
by Jeni Bone 
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PALMYRA, WA
