Bold Steps Forward

You’ve been involved in the yachting industry since 2001. Can you share some of the key experiences that have shaped your career?

My journey into yachting began long before my professional career. Growing up, I was lucky to be immersed in the yachting community from a young age, thanks to my family’s boat. Sailing and rowing were integral parts of my childhood, fostering a love for the sea. Recognising the potential for a career in this field, my family established a yacht sales and brokerage business in Sydney, initially based at Jones Bay Wharf. We later expanded our operations to the Gold Coast and Perth, gradually incorporating the prestigious Ferretti Group brands.

What continues to drive me today is my passion for boats and the joy of connecting with fellow enthusiasts, such as our clients. The process of owning a boat is very personal and emotional, so it’s incredibly rewarding to fulfil this dream for someone. You build a bond through this experience where our customers trust that we have their best interest in making the right decisions.

What motivated you to join DCH’s marine division in 2015, and how have you differentiated yourselves from your competitors?

Dah Chong Hong Holdings (DCH) has a rich 70-year history with a global presence in motor and consumer product distribution. Joining DCH Marine presented a unique opportunity to have the support and strength of a large conglomerate that can service the market, unlike our regional competitors.

Buying a yacht can often be a daunting and lengthy process. However, with the financial backing of DCH, we provide our customers with unparalleled security both before and after their purchase, ensuring a smoother and more timely experience. Our commitment extends beyond the point of sale, encompassing aftercare services and guidance for warranty repairs and maintenance. Through our network of professional technicians across Asia Pacific, we are equipped to meet all our clients’ boating needs and requirements.

You have extensive experience in developing markets, particularly in Asia. What unique challenges and opportunities do you see in the Asia Pacific yachting market today?

We see great opportunity in Asia Pacific, especially by adopting a fully integrated, client-centric approach. Our goal is to educate our clients and provide them with a range of purchase options and operational advice, ensuring that their yachting experience is seamless and enjoyable. To achieve this, we focus on offering the best products and maintaining top-tier service and support channels. By providing comprehensive guidance, we help our clients make informed decisions that suit their needs and preferences. This naturally fosters long-lasting relationships and enhances the overall yachting experience.

DCH Marine has been appointed as the exclusive master distributor for Sunseeker Yachts in Asia Pacific. What does this partnership mean for DCH Marine and your growth strategy?

Sunseeker is renowned as one of the premier yachting brands globally. With over 50 years of boat-building excellence, the name is synonymous with performance, style and ultimate luxury. Sunseeker has pioneered numerous innovations, including tender garages on sports boats, hydraulic platforms, retractable hard tops and the trademarked Xtend System. As an iconic British brand, it has set the standard in luxury yachting and remains the only boat builder to have won a round of the “World Power Boat Championship.” We are incredibly proud of the exceptional brands we represent and their outstanding products, and we are so grateful for the trust they place in us to showcase them in the region.

Being associated with Sunseeker gives us the opportunity to connect with remarkable individuals, and the superior craftsmanship of their products speaks, making them highly sought after by our clients.

DCH Marine also recently signed a partnership with Saxdor Yachts for Asia-Pacific. What do you hope this will do for the Finnish brand?

Although a relatively new brand with just over four years in the industry, Saxdor has quickly established itself as a significant player in the yachting world. Known for its modern and sporty designs, Saxdor combines style with functionality, making it a standout choice. This brand caters to the booming adventure boat market, appealing to both existing and new clients with its high-quality offerings. Saxdor’s unique approach meets different needs, providing an excellent product that complements our portfolio and enhances the overall yachting experience.

DCH Marine is also the dealer for tender brand Williams. Tell us about the brand and your plans for the next few years.

We are immensely proud to partner with Williams Jet Tenders. The dedicated team in the United Kingdom consistently delivers world-class, premium products that perfectly meet the demands and expectations of yacht owners. With full service and sales points in Hong Kong and Singapore, with new locations opening in the near future, we ensure our customers have quick access to new tenders and comprehensive service support, minimising or eliminating downtime for owners.

DCH Marine emphasises a commitment to customer service. Can you elaborate on the strategies you have implemented to enhance the customer experience in the luxury yachting sector?

Our daily operations are guided by a simple philosophy: always consider what our customers would think. This mindset drives our commitment to providing exceptional support and security. We are honoured when clients trust us with their yacht purchases, and in response, we are expanding our aftercare service team across the region. We are also strengthening our relationships with key suppliers, including original equipment manufacturers of various spare yacht products or parts of a product, through direct service agreements. This is crucial to ensure our aftercare team is equipped to handle all yacht components, not just those from the main suppliers. Additionally, we are establishing spare parts stores in key markets to improve turnaround times on essential equipment, minimising any potential downtime.

As we grow, we continuously learn from each yacht model. My team and I are dedicated to identifying what goes wrong, how we can improve and how our suppliers can enhance their offerings.

In addition, we firmly believe that providing constructive feedback to Sunseeker and Saxdor is vital. This helps eliminate recurring issues and drives improvements in their current and future boat models.

How do you envision the partnership with Sunseeker impacting the luxury yacht market in the Asia Pacific region?

Sunseeker has been a dominant force, arguably the leading European brand by volume in the Asia Pacific region over the past 25 years. Its popularity is so widespread that it’s nearly impossible to find a marina in this part of the world without a Sunseeker berthed. Building on this success, we aim to enhance support, ownership experience and customer interaction throughout the region.

With DCH Marine’s Hong Kong shipyard serving as a centre of customer service excellence, what specific services do you offer to ensure a seamless ownership experience for clients?

We recognise the importance of investing in a dedicated service centre, with Hong Kong being our first location to support our clients. As our business expands, we aim to replicate this model across various regions, offering clients a comprehensive ownership experience through a range of services. We work closely with the factories to customise each yacht to meet the unique preferences and requirements of our clients in the various markets, ensuring every detail is meticulously crafted.

Our team also handles all the necessary documentation, simplifying the complexities of yacht ownership paperwork and ensuring compliance with both local and international regulations.

Additionally, we prioritise maintaining up-to-date aftercare sales and warranty services, allowing owners to enjoy their yachts without worry. By providing these extensive services, we strive to make yacht ownership as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible, enabling our clients to fully embrace the luxury and pleasure of their Sunseeker yachts.

Looking ahead, what are your plans for expanding DCH Marine’s presence in the Asia Pacific region, particularly with the upcoming boat shows?

We are embarking on an ambitious expansion over the next 6-12 months. Earlier this year, we opened an office in Singapore, and we will soon be establishing offices and service centres in Thailand, Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast in Australia, all supported by our existing operations in Hong Kong and China. We will be showcasing new Sunseeker and Saxdor yachts at all major regional shows.

This began with the Hong Kong International Boat Show in November, where we featured the Sunseeker 76 and 55, and the Saxdor 400, 320 and 270. In January, we will participate in the Phuket International Boat Show with the new Sunseeker Manhattan 68 and 55, directly shipped from England, along with the Saxdor 400 and 320. The Singapore Yachting Festival in April will see the Asia Pacific launch of the Ocean 90, alongside the Manhattan 68 and 55, and the Saxdor 400 and 320. Following this, we will be at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May, and the Sydney International Boat Show at the end of July next year.

Additionally, we are planning a special, unique event for the debut of the 100 Yacht, with more details to be shared at a later stage.

You’re investing in your team and premises. How do you ensure that your team remains at the forefront of industry knowledge and customer service excellence?

To ensure our team and facilities stay at the cutting edge of industry knowledge and customer service excellence, we are dedicated to investing in comprehensive training programmes. We invite experts and professionals from the shipyard and our various suppliers to conduct training sessions, equipping our team with the latest skills, insights and foresight. This initiative not only enhances our team’s expertise but also reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients. Through continuous learning and development, we aim to maintain our leadership position in the market, ensuring our clients receive the highest standard of care and support.

Have the brands you represent incorporated any sustainability efforts?

We work very closely with our brands and are proud to share with clients the sustainability initiatives they have incorporated into their boat-building processes. Sunseeker collaborates with suppliers at the forefront of technology, utilising biomass boilers for renewable heat generation at their production sites in Poole and Portland. These biomass boilers use wood offcuts from the manufacturing process to provide a renewable heat source, potentially saving 1,200 tonnes of carbon each year.

Saxdor’s new shipyard is meticulously planned to support sustainability in every aspect of its operations. Each production line is designed with environmental impact in mind, focusing on the economical use of materials, waste management and energy saving.

Williams Jet Tenders has recently made a significant stride in sustainability with the launch of its first electric tender, the EvoJet 70e. This innovative tender features an electric propulsion system that maintains the high performance the brand is known for, without compromising on power or efficiency. The EvoJet 70e represents a major step forward in eco-friendly boating, offering our clients a cutting-edge option that aligns with their environmental values.

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