Following Multihull Solutions’ success in Australia and New Zealand, the company has officially expanded its operations to Asia.
From January 2014, Multihull Solutions will be the exclusive distributor of Fountaine Pajot and Catana Catamarans in SE Asia and will also represent Sunreef Yachts, TAG Yachts, NEEL Trimarans and Privilège Catamarans in the region.
The company now has offices in Phuket and Singapore to provide sales and service for new and pre-owned multihulls. The Asian team will work closely with the Australian and New Zealand teams to ensure new and existing clients are comprehensively serviced throughout the entire Australasian region. This network also expands the company’s pre-owned multihull brokerage, making it the largest in the Asia Pacific.
Multihull Solutions has appointed Andrew de Bruin as the general manager for its Asian operation and he is based in Phuket’s Boat Lagoon in Thailand. Andrew has an extensive history in the marine industry including roles as Sunsail Whitsundays operations manager, service manager for Beneteau Yachts-Vicsail in Sydney, and a successful decade as senior broker at Lee Marine Co. Ltd in Thailand.
Multihull Solutions managing director Mark Elkington said the Asian expansion is an extremely exciting development for the company.
‘While we are very busy with our Australian and New Zealand operations, we recognised that Asia is a thriving market with enormous growth potential for multihulls, said Mark.
“When we were recently approached by Fountaine Pajot to take over their exclusive representation in Asia, we knew it was an opportunity we couldn’t ignore,” he said.
“Our other brands, including Catana, Sunreef and Privilège, were also very enthusiastic about us continuing our success for them in Asia.”
The Asian market has immediately responded to the expansion with Multihull Solutions listing several pre-owned multihulls in its new regional brokerage as well taking its first pre-owned multihull order.
“This strong response to our launch proves there has been a clear demand for a quality multihull specialist to service the Asian market,” said Mark.
The Multihull Solutions Asian operation will be publicly launched at the 2014 Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) from 9-12 January at the Royal Phuket Marina. Fountaine Pajot CEO Jean Francois Fountaine will be travelling from the shipyard’s French headquarters to officially open the company’s office and discuss opportunities for regional growth with the team.
Mark Elkington said that the multihull market still has huge room for growth in Asia, and the company expects the region will become a significant market segment.
“The cruising grounds in Asia are among the best in the world with its exotic anchorages, superb cuisine and affordability,” said Mark.
“There is also a rapidly growing yacht charter industry in Asia with an increasing demand for multihulls, which presents exciting opportunities for those seeking to purchase a multihull for investment purposes.
“We are very excited about this new stage in our company’s growth and look forward to introducing more cruisers in the Asian market to the benefits of multihulls.”
Further information about Multihull Solutions Asia can be obtained by contacting Multihull Solutions in Thailand on +66 8189 41530, emailing info@multihullsolutions.asia or visiting the website at www.multihullsolutions.asia