Less is More: Lauderdale Marine Center’s Unique Approach to Refit
\n \tInnovation does not always mean doing more. Sometimes, the answer to innovation in business lies in a \u2018hands-off\u2019 approach – with the right standards, facilities and processes in place for clients to thrive. This is exactly the case at Lauderdale Marine Center, the United States\u2019 largest yacht repair facility servicing the world\u2019s best-known superyachts with a unique \u2018Marketplace Model\u2019. We caught up with Doug West, President of LMC, to learn more about what makes the facility so appealing to such a vast fleet of superyachts – and, increasingly, world-leading shipyards.
\n Florida is the epicenter of a booming refit industry, catering not only to local US vessels but also larger transatlantic yachts visiting the popular yachting destinations of the Bahamas and Caribbean. Considered hurricane-safe by insurance companies due to its location on the New River, Lauderdale Marine Center ticks several boxes by merit of its location alone.
\nMarketplace Model
\nUnlike full-service refit yards, Lauderdale Marine Center effectively acts as a landlord to yachts and contractors on-site. This means LMC provides the space – some 60 acres to be precise – leaving clients free to manage their own projects.
\nThe second aspect of this is that Lauderdale Marine Center does not offer its own in-house labour. Offering a list of over 300 approved contractors, yachts also have the option to bring their own contractors in provided they meet LMC\u2019s proven standards of quality and legitimacy.
\nThe benefits of this, Doug tells us, are threefold.
\nScheduling. Each yacht to visit LMC has total control over how long it stays at the facility. \u2018Full service yards will dictate the schedule and how much time you have out of the water,\u2019 Doug tells us. Unlike LMC, most full-service yards operate on comparatively small real estate, so timely turnover onto the hard is critical.
\nSpecifically, Doug adds, LMC\u2019s largest competitive yard has capacity for 15 yachts out of the water. LMC, in comparison, has 100.
\n\u2018The way it works here is that boats can stay out as long as they want to stay out,\u2019 Doug adds.
\nPricing. As a result of the direct set-up, LMC does not impose any markups, head fees to contractors or additional fees for project management or insurance. Instead, boats at LMC deal directly with the contractor, meaning the yard can add competitive prices to its list of advantages.
\n\u2018If you look at other full service yards in the area, all the work done will go through them –\u00a0whether that means in-house labour or hiring contractors. In most cases there\u2019s a markup\u00a0between 15 and 25%.\u2019
\nQuality. The third advantage of LMC\u2019s unique marketplace model is its quality control assurance. In order for clients to exercise total control over their own projects, LMC effectively vets all contractors on-site with a series of proven criteria.
\nThese include requiring contractors to have the necessary insurance, warranty programme and documents to meet LMC\u2019s standards. The yard also carries out a customer survey at the end of each yard period, asking clients to rate the quality of their contractors.
\n\u2018We stay in touch with the boat throughout their yard period and make sure they\u2019re getting what\u00a0they need,\u2019 says Doug. \u2018But we\u2019re not project managing – that\u2019s the big difference.\u2019
\nWith everything from dedicated crew workspace areas to gym and leisure facilities, it is not difficult to see why LMC is a firm favourite amongst captains and crew.
\nBut recently the yard has attracted a different kind of visitor. LMC has been named aftercare service \u201cyard of choice\u201d by the biggest names in European shipbuilding.
\nFerretti Group, Cheoy Lee, Azimut-Benetti, Princess, Horizon, Sanlorenzo and Majesty Yachts. These are just a few of the prominent builders who have chosen to undertake warranty work or commissioning at LMC. Global shipbuilders\u00a0with a strong American client base are capitalising on LMC\u2019s convenient location, expansive real estate and hands-off approach.
\n\u2018I think most clients and companies want warranty work to be done by the people who originally\u00a0worked on the boat,\u2019 Doug explains. \u2018We also have a few builders interested in renting space\u00a0here so they can exhibit their boats, so I see that building over the next few years.\u2019
\nWorks carried out at Lauderdale Marine Center can range from annual yard periods to full paint jobs and major upgrades.
\nWith an adaptable approach and close attention to client feedback, LMC has successfully proven that sometimes, less is indeed more.
\nWatch this space.<\/p>\n
\t Less is More: Lauderdale Marine Center’s Unique Approach to Refit <\/p>\n
\t Less is More: Lauderdale Marine Center’s Unique Approach to Refit <\/p>\n
\t Less is More: Lauderdale Marine Center’s Unique Approach to Refit <\/p>\n
\t Less is More: Lauderdale Marine Center’s Unique Approach to Refit <\/p>\n
\t Less is More: Lauderdale Marine Center’s Unique Approach to Refit <\/p>\n
\t Doug West, LMC President <\/p>\n
\t Less is More: Lauderdale Marine Center’s Unique Approach to Refit <\/p>\n
\t Less is More: Lauderdale Marine Center’s Unique Approach to Refit <\/p>\n
\t Less is More: Lauderdale Marine Center’s Unique Approach to Refit <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Less is More: Lauderdale Marine Center’s Unique Approach to Refit Innovation does not always mean doing more. Sometimes, the answer to innovation in business lies in a \u2018hands-off\u2019 approach – with the right standards, facilities and processes in place for … <\/p>\n