| 33 T T Russell Fredric Extra capacity to better serve clients In more recent years the majority of the company’s work has involved servicing, maintenance and refitting. Robertson Boats REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Robertson Boats plans for expansion on the near horizon are designed to enhance its haulout and full-service yard in Warkworth in addition to providing more space and infrastructure for new boat builds. Established in 1932, the company is family owned and headed by Conrad Robertson with son Drew as its operations manager. Offering a comprehensive range of services, Robertson Boats has a strong history of designing and custom-building boats for commercial use and pleasure, but in more recent years the majority of its work has involved servicing, maintenance and refitting. Facilities include an 85 tonne, 8.5 metre wide travel lift and a haulout, a full-service yard with three moveable hardstand sheds for vessels up to 18 metres, plus deep-drafted yacht cradles for three metres and over as well as in-water work berths. The company is currently working through the consent process for approval to expand part of its site which it only part-owned until two years ago, Drew says. “For a long time there was development that we wanted to do, but we weren’t able to do because we didn’t own [all] the land outright. We’ve got plans to build a number of fairly large sheds and extend the yard a bit further for designated areas – painting, construction and commercial work. “We will have the capability then to do other work like new builds and things like that which used to be the business’ bread-and-butter.” These plans follow on from some other land being levelled to create more space and a more symmetrical area to accommodate larger boats from summer 2024. “When we get a few boats in the yard that are 24 to 30 metres long, we just didn’t have enough room previously to get the travel lift down the yard. It’s given us a bit more capacity to cater for more boats in that size range at the same time.” About 18 months ago, Robertson Boats also added a Netherlands-manufactured Roodberg slipway trailer to its equipment, designed to launch and recover boats of various sizes and weights and transport them to and from the storage facility or yard. Despite New Zealand’s slow economy in recent years, Robertson Boats has maintained a strong workflow. Clients include tourism and ferry operators along with other commercial clients. “The commercial work is pretty consistent because the survey work dictates that, and then in between that, if they choose to do some annual maintenance on alternate years, they come up for that.” “We are grateful for the good relationships and support we get from our commercial clients.” 124 SUNNYBRAE ROAD, HILLCREST, AUCKLAND PHONE: +64 9 444 9031 SIMON@CHATFIELDMARINE.CO.NZ WWW.CHATFIELDMARINE.CO.NZ Phone: 09 232 5987 Web: bri-skipropellers.co.nz Email: bri-skiprops@xtra.co.nz Bri-Ski Ltd has been designing and manufacturing all types of marine propellers for 42 years. Proud to supply propellers to Robertson Boats COASTAL MARINE UPHOLSTERERS Providing expert upholstery services to the marine industry since 1986. • LAUNCH FLYING BRIDGE CANVAS, CLEARS & SEATING • HULL LININGS • SALOON LEATHER WORK • YACHT DOGERS & BOOM COVERS • UPHOLSTERY & LININGS • MARINE CARPET FLOORING 2F Manga Rd, Silverdale, Auckland 0932 | Office Phone: 09 426 6817 Dave McMullen: 027 495 2540 | sales@cmu.co.nz | www.cmu.co.nz Quality Stainless & General Sheetmetal Fabrication • ARCHITECTURAL • COMMERCIAL • MARINE • JOBBING • WELDING WSM is proud to be associated with ROBERTSON BOATS, a local company providing essential services throughout New Zealand. The team at WSM takes pride in producing quality fabrications for Robertson Boats interesting and varied projects. WARKWORTH SHEETMETALS LTD Malcolm Patterson P: 09 425 7366 E: wsm@helix.net.nz 27 Woodcocks Rd. Warkworth 0910 For the past year Robertson Boats have been undertaking a major refit on a privately owned 85ft steel launch, with the work close to completion. Other major projects completed in the past 18 months include other significant refits. “We did one on an Explore Group ferry boat and basically completely rebuilt it, remodelled it, changed the layout, extended it. Last year we did a big refit on a yacht for the same company and another private boat. “There’s a good mix of commercial and private work.” Robertson Boats employs 25 staff skilled in a wide range of trades, in addition to engaging subcontractors. “There’s a lot involved in what we do. There’s a lot of problem solving and designing and coming up with solutions to things. I think they really enjoy it.”
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