Sharjah-based boat builder Al Marakeb has posted a 45 per cent increase in sales last year against its figures in 2012.

The company, which specialises in manufacturing ocean-going vessels, has also reported a 71 per cent increase in revenue turnover for the period, a level of growth that attributes to its expansion strategy.

Basel Shuhaiber, founder and managing director, said: “Market demands in the powerboat sales sector didn’t change appreciably in 2013 from 2012, but what did change was our manufacturing capabilities. The enhancements we made to our production capacity, in conjunction with an initiative to employ more staff, enabled us to improve our boat supply.”

Al Marakeb expanded its existing factory facilities in Sharjah and took on 25 per cent more manpower to increase output. It sold 51 vessels during the period, while its actual target was 42.

About 65 per cent of its sales was locally generated, while 15 per cent was regional and 20 per cent international, said Shuhaiber.

“Al Marakeb has tapped into the demand for mid-range ocean crafts, which are proving popular with families as they are relatively more affordable. They require minimal maintenance and are economical to operate. They also do not need quayside berthing, as they can be easily parked on a trailer outside the customer’s home,” he said.

“With our full personalisation options available for every model and our new shop that retails equipment to fully kit them out, we aim to provide a complete service from manufacture to ocean-ready in one easy step,” said Shuhaiber.  

Al Marakeb’s product line-up comprises the Dino 31 entry-level model, Spartan 25, Triton 35, Habbar 25 fishing boat and Scylla 35, the company’s first cabin cruising vessel.

As part of the firm’s expansion strategy, it opened a new retail outlet for customers, which sells specialist nautical and marine equipment such as navigation products from Garmin, fishing gear from Osprey and diving equipment from Seac. - TradeArabia News Service