Family marine business to grow: The Haines Group buys out Seafarer
27/11/2007

Media Release
1 November 2007

Family marine business to grow: The Haines Group buys out Seafarer

One of Australia’s largest fibreglass boat manufacturers, Brisbane based The Haines Group, has increased its market share in the leisure and fishing boat market; acquiring Gold Coast company Seafarer Fibreglass Boats for an undisclosed sum.  Initiated through brokers, negotiations between The Haines Group and Seafarer began in August this year, with the official handover taking place November 1.

The Haines Group’s Managing Director Sales and Marketing, Greg Haines said the merger of the two family companies would ensure boaties had continued access to a broad range of quality Australian designed and manufactured fibreglass boats.  “The acquisition of Seafarer will enable The Haines Group to provide a full suite of quality marine brands, with the Seafarer range sitting alongside The Haines Group stable-mates Signature, Traveler, Nautique ski boats and the Ensign™ range of polyethylene thermoplastic boats.
 
“Seafarer is a well-recognised Australian company, recognised for its highly successful range of family and offshore sports boats and its remarkable depth of experience in producing a variety of fibreglass hulls. Both Seafarer  and The Haines Group have a long history in the boating industry and share a common view of constantly reinventing their boat designs to guarantee the next boat will be better than the last,” Greg Haines said. 

Seafarer Fibreglass Boats’ current proprietor Lindsay Fry will remain a consultant with The Haines Group once the takeover occurs, overseeing the design and manufacturing of Seafarer’s craft. The renowned 16 model Seafarer range including the classic Seafarer 5.0m V Sea, 6.0m Victory and the 6.8m Voyager will stay in production under the new management agreement.  Seafarer also has several projects including new releases which we are currently working on,” Lindsay Fry said. Greg Haines said the procurement of Seafarer by The Haines Group would ensure the well-established family company remained wholly Australian owned. 

From November 1, Seafarer Fibreglass Boats will be manufactured from The Haines Group’s Brisbane site, using the same production methods and design principles Seafarer has adopted for over 50 years.

ENDS