Marine Tech Industries

The core business of Marine Tech Industries is the design and manufacture of marine pedestals, table pedestals and seating systems. The company prides itself on superior quality and excellent customer service. While many pay lip service to these core qualities, MTIA  has a range of performance criteria which constantly assess and report to management on delivery of these KPIs. It’s this combination of product excellence and meaningful customer support that has won supply contracts with some of the best blue chip boat manufacturers in Australia and overseas.

MTIA had its roots in Auckland and Taupo, New Zealand, with the company founded by David Goldsack. The pedestal system with Softrider feature was developed by skilled engineers who set about producing a product that would thrive in the tough offshore conditions experienced in New Zealand. Over time, a supply relationship formed between David Goldsack and Brett Vorhauer of Rae-Line Pty Ltd in Melbourne. Brett Vorhauer went on to acquire an interest in MTIA and the entire company was relocated across the Tasman to the Gold Coast. Recently the company shifted again to Melbourne to be brought closer into the Rae-Line group.

Rae-Line’s core business is the manufacture and supply of cabin interiors for new Kenworth trucks. Brett Vorhauer said: “It is a valued association which has been in place now for 39 years. We also have a long standing involvement with the boating industry where Rae-Line supplied seats and upholstery principally to the trailer boat market.”

The Rae-Line company based in Melbourne and its MTIA offshoot now have no association with the Rae-Line business operating in Gold Coast, QLD.
Because Brett Vorhauer’s Rae-Line company supplies the automotive industry, their production is heavily scrutinised.  In terms of faults from suppliers, Kenworth’s benchmark is 50 parts per million.  Last year Rae-Line’s finished the year on 38 faults per million.  On time delivery is measured in days since the last late delivery. Rae-Line currently sits at 1158 days meaning that the last late delivery was over five years ago, based on a five day working week.

With this culture the cornerstone of Rae-Line, MTIA is bringing the same standards of excellence to the marine industry.

“It’s not just about the product,” Brett Vorhauer said. “It is just as much about supply and quality.  Who wants to deal with a vendor who supplies late and holds up the production line and delivery to customers?  We understand that the marine industry in some segments can be lax, but at MTIA we impress our clients not only with the products that we design and manufacture, but our business culture as well.”

“When we speak to the larger boat companies and apply our automotive standards and KPI’s, their eyes glaze over with envy."

In its infancy, the Softrider was the USP which set MTIA pedestals apart from their competition. Since the 15 year Copyright Design Registration has now expired, some have emulated the concept but fallen short of the performance experienced by the genuine and original model.

“Some think the Softrider is just a column which operates the same as a typists chair,” designer David Goldsack commented,  “I can assure them it’s a heck of a lot more complex than that. The successful package is a combination of the right extrusion, correct metallurgy, an understanding of engineering plastics and precise mechanisms. With this combination, it out performs simular products in the harsh salt water environment.”

Irrespective of the make, model or size of boat MTIA can supply a pedestal, seat and table system to suit.  MTIA’s production and design capability are geared to provide custom designed and manufactured products for customers who need something just that little bit different. Whether supplying a new boat under construction or one that is being refurbished, MTIA has a complete line of pedestals that will not only look fantastic, but are entirely functional too.

Moreover, MTIA is superbly poised to not only expand its customer base, but also grow the range of products on offer. Already MTIA has established viable export markets in NZ and China, and there have also been a series of orders filled to both the USA and Europe.

“Already we supply pedestals and seats for all of the Clipper boats that are imported into Australia,” Brett Vorhauer said, “At present we are engaged in discussions with Clipper and other boat manufacturers, where we are looking to supply the complete interior as a kit, just the same as we supply a complete cabin interior for Kenworth. It’s the logical extension.”

As a company MTIA is committed to a strong growth path, both domestically and internationally. The company exhibited for the first time at METs as a part of the AIMEX display. Marine Tech Industries was represented at the London Boat Show in January 2011 and will also be exhibiting at Dubai, Shanghai and Korea.

Like any market, the pedestal and seat business is keenly competitive. But Brett Vorhauer remains undeterred and bullish.

“There are plenty of companies whom we compete against.  Some are formidable and do a great job, others are smaller organisations turning out pretty basic stuff for the volume end of a price conscious market.”

“Our strength is that from Australia, we are producing to world’s best practice with premium quality products. In total 70 per cent of our components are locally sourced, the balance are brought in from overseas markets.  We find that lack of quality and consistency in components prevents us sourcing more from Asia suppliers. Overseas manufacture for MTIA is not an option.”

To ensure premium quality, consistency and reliable delivery, our MTIA products are locally manufactured and assembled at the company’s Kilsyth complex.

At this single location the entire MTIA process from R&D through to manufacture, assembly and shipping is undertaken. While individual components are stored in bulk, products are made to order and shipped direct to customers. The company has an on-line presence and purchases are steadily building through this channel.

MTIA has a series of mini production lines where the key processes are ganged up.  As little work as possible is shipped to outside vendors... even the hand polishing of the stunning stainless steel work is done in house to ensure premium quality.

With the management processes and product line firmly in place, MTIA is set to expand in 2011 and embark onto the world stage as a serious player in this industry segment.

For further information visit www.marinetechindustries.com.au