Competing on the world stage takes an enormous commitment and that’s exactly what the 400-strong team at Riviera is achieving at the largest luxury power boat-building facility in the southern hemisphere at Coomera on the Gold Coast.
A solid start to 2014 has forward order sales across both the Riviera and Belize Motoryachts fleets at more than double last year’s figures – the 26 boats currently in production include two flagship 75 Enclosed Flybridge models.
On top of that the team has stepped up to proudly fly the Riviera and Belize flags at a succession of international boat shows and, of course, the most successful yet Riviera Festival of Boating from 22-25 May at Coomera.
Riviera chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst says the incredible performance of a passionate and professional team is widely acknowledged among Riviera’s “family” of luxury powerboat owners.
“The continued rise of Riviera is in no small part due to efforts of a team dedicated to the quality of the Riviera and Belize brands and absolutely committed to delivering on our promise of creating ‘the ultimate boating experience’ for Riviera owners,” he said.
“When I purchased the business in March 2012 I knew it needed a long-term commitment to move the business forward and the way our team has adopted this ethos has made me extremely proud,” Mr Longhurst said.
The Riviera team gathered for a thank-you lunch last week at the 14-hectare state-of-the-art Coomera facility to celebrate the success of the Festival of Boating, and it was here that Mr Longhurst expressed his personal thanks and outlined the challenges ahead.
“Our team certainly has their hearts in our brand and with our exciting new models the forward sales are starting to grow,” he said. “It’s an outstanding achievement.”
Eighty-five per cent of the boats now under construction at the Coomera factory are 50 feet and over, and 55 per cent of Riviera’s annual production is sold to overseas owners. “These two facts alone demonstrate our ability to create luxury pleasure boats as well as anywhere in the world,” Mr Longhurst said.
There are already forward orders for the strong and adventurous new 515 SUV crossover model which made her world premiere at the Riviera Festival of Boating from 22-25 May, and also an off-the-plan sale for the sophisticated and stylish 6000 Sport Yacht which makes her world premiere at the Sydney International Boat Show from 31 July – 4 August.
Mr Longhurst said the benefits of constant improvement programs, organisational restructure, a stronger dealer network and continuing creation of new models would continue to be realized in the months and years ahead.
“Momentum is certainly building and we are absolutely humbled by strong sales across both Riviera and Belize brands which is growing not just in Australia but internationally as well,” he said.
Riviera now has a dealer network that spans 60 countries and includes the United States and Dubai, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, and reports solid global demand for both Riviera and Belize models.