Good news is good, even in small doses

10:31 AM Mon 16 Mar 2009 GMT

'Telwater’s headquarters, home of Quintrex, Stacer and Savage within the Gold Coast Marine Precinct. - Telwater' Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo

Telwater, parent company of the Quintrex, Stacer and Savage marques, played host to selected media last week to reveal its '09 Quintrex range, but the impressive line-up of new boats was 'outranked' by the news that the company was hiring staff.

National sales and marketing director Damian Duncan said 12 of the people laid off last year by the company had been re-hired.

'Orders have begun to flow in from our dealers, particularly for our smaller boats and we offered our former employees the jobs first,' he explained.

'Some, of course, had already found new employment, others are new people, but all have been employed for aluminium boat manufacturing, that's the pleasing aspect,' he added.

Damien Duncan, Telwater’s national sales and marketing manager, now an 11-year veteran with the Gold Coast manufacturer. - Telwater - Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo

The company has launched nine new models, comprising the popular 'Escape' models, the 'Top Ender' range and the 'Classic Centre Console' and Classic Side Console' line-up.

Duncan says the company has 'carefully considered' the current economic situation and has re-vamped its model range to be applicable with the times.

'What we have done is added unique Quintrex features, such as the Millennium Hull and the famous Flared Bow to what we term our 'grass roots' boats,' he explained.

A bevy of ’Quinnies’ heading out for open water during the Telwater media day. - Telwater - Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo

'By engineering the new models to a price point and adding these features we believe we have ensured that the boating lifestyle is both affordable and enjoyable,' he added.

Since moving into its new purpose-built facility within the sprawling Gold Coast Marine Precinct, Telwater, under the astute leadership of CEO Paul Phelan, Telwater has gone from strength to strength.

It's a situation Duncan intends to maintain. Telwater today boasts a staff of more than 200 people producing in excess of 100 models.

It serves about 125 dealers Australia-wide and has made a smooth transition into the export field with international dealers in the South Pacific Region, Asia, parts of Europe and Indian Ocean nations.

Duncan admits the company has 'done it tough' through the global financial crisis, but it has not dimmed his confidence in the future.

'Since July, 2008, Telwater sales are down about 35 percent,' he says. 'Consequently, we have been forced to look differently at how we do things. We're concentrating on helping our dealer network reduce stock, lower floor plan commitments and give them the tools to achieve these aims. We have no reduced any funding or subsidies to our dealers, either.'

Like many in the boating industry, Duncan sees faltering consumer confidence as a major hurdle to improved sales.

'I think the news media could play a helpful role if it got away from the negativity in its reporting,' he declared.

Although still a young man, Duncan is now an 11-year veteran with the company.

He joined in 1997 as a marketing assistant and has since served in a variety of sales and managerial roles prior to being named director of sales and marketing two-years ago.

'It has been a difficult 12 months due to the financial climate, Telwater has been under pressure and, more importantly our dealers have been under pressure,' he says.

'We want them to know that we're here to help in any way we can.'

The Quintrex 470 Top Ender doing just what its designers intended. - Telwater - Telwater Quintrex

On the acquisition of the Savage brand name in October last year, Duncan says it is too early to make much comment.

'Simply let me see Savage is a widely respected name and by bringing it on board we keep people employed,' he said.

Duncan firmly believes the industry will experience an upswing in confidence before year's end.

'I'm tipping October, I think then we'll see an increase in sales and an all-round improvement in the overall situation, not only for the boating industry, but for the community at large,' he declared.