<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4705" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="HP High Pressure SRL (Company)">HP Watermakers</a> emerged in 1995 as a branch of the Zucco family's manufacturing company specialising in the production of high-pressure parts for watermakers. With a &nbsp;production facility on the outskirts of Milan, &nbsp;everything from the design to the final factory testing takes place in-house.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/296154/image/large-d12b185c3ecbb1a4a93cd26f5049b415.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/296154">One of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4705" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="HP High Pressure SRL (Company)">HP Watermakers</a>’ most recent innovations, the HP Part-Net interface, has transformed the way desalination plants are utilised on board yachts. Even before the introduction of Part-NET, its RP TRONIC pressure regulation system had propelled <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4705" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="HP High Pressure SRL (Company)">HP Watermakers</a> ahead in terms of user-friendliness. But watermakers were still hidden away inside technical spaces or engine rooms. Part-NET shattered this norm by bringing the watermaker onto the multifunction display (MFD), allowing captains to access all functionalities directly on any chartplotter or domotic system.<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/companies/hp-high-pressure-srl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">HP Watermakers</a>' carries out its own research and development to stay at the cutting-edge of technological developments. As a small, nimble family company, it has the agility to swiftly respond to new challenges and ideas. With a technical team with decades of experience in the field, it can turn an idea into a final product within days by employing advanced machinery such as CNC laser-cutting machines, 5-axis turning and milling machines. By producing 85 per cent of the components in-house, HP Watermakers maintains a steady control over the manufacturing process to guarantee high quality.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/296152/image/large-2b2ce1274db3599c941e6cc9668398d9.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/296152">“While the industry faces numerous challenges today, we’ve proactively tackled supply chain distribution by maintaining a substantial stock of materials for the production of hundreds of units,” says Gianna Zucco, co-founder of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4705" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="HP High Pressure SRL (Company)">HP Watermakers</a>. “The small-scale manufacturing setup requires a high level of stock to facilitate fast deliveries and prevent material shortages that could disrupt production and cash flow. To build a solid foundation for the company, our management has consistently reinvested its profits into securing a stable and sustainable supply chain.”Approximately 95 percent of production is destined for the yacht and superyacht industry, amounting to around 400 units per year and the company is among the few watermaker companies worldwide that manufacture a significant portion of their own components. Moreover, since 2019 it has helped pioneer the production of the only MFD-interfaced watermaker available on the market, garnering acclaim from end-users in the process. Recently, a new addition to its product lineup was revealed: the most compact 500 lt/h unit on the market. Built on the frame of a 120 lt/h unit, it consumes just 3KW/h.Looking ahead, the company anticipates significant developments in the sector as people spend longer stretches of time aboard their yachts, necessitating the autonomous generation of energy and water as basic necessities. “In this scenario, our strategic positioning as a supplier becomes crucial as we strive to guarantee the always-on production of fresh water on board,” says Zucco.Digitalisation has emerged as a vital component of the company’s operations. In 2017, it introduced its BiBi® system, enabling remote control of the unit via the internet. Over 200 yachts currently utilise this service, allowing HP service technicians to identify and prevent issues by remotely accessing the units. By diagnosing problems and dispatching the appropriate parts before the issue escalates, BiBi® has proven to be a powerful asset in ensuring problem-free cruising. Moreover, installing BiBi® comes with a four-year warranty.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/296153/image/large-6c2bc856c2e49600b1e30e01de2ddfdd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/296153">To ensure comprehensive service and support for the global fleet of yachts, the company operates four offices and stores worldwide, located in Fort Lauderdale, Dubai, Cape Town and Male. It has also established a sales and service network spanning 53 countries, which allows the team to swiftly address the needs of clientele across the globe.&nbsp;“As <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4705" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="HP High Pressure SRL (Company)">HP Watermakers</a> continues to pioneer advancements in the water desalination sector, we are focused on pushing the boundaries of innovation,” concludes Zucco. “By leveraging cutting-edge technology, expanding our global presence and prioritising customer satisfaction, we are poised to shape the future of watermakers for the yachting industry.”&nbsp;Into to the detailsProducing more than 300 units per year, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4705" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="HP High Pressure SRL (Company)">HP Watermakers</a> had a turnover in 2022 of €3 million, with a prediction for 2023 to exceed this turnover. The company supplies 80 percent of its products to businesses outside of the Italian industry and 95 percent of the turnover comes from the luxury yacht market.&nbsp;Principal yachting customers are; Dutch yards <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1484" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Wajer Yachts (Company)">Wajer</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5726" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Steeler Yachts (Company)">Steeler</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5752" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vanquish Yachts (Company)">Vanquish</a>, Italian yards <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/358" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azimut Yachts (Company)">Azimut</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2429" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Absolute Yachting (Company)">Absolute</a> and the Spanish yacht builder Sasga and the company’s top model is the SCA Model launched to the market in 2021.&nbsp;

Water desalination with HP Watermakers

HP Watermakers: Reshaping water desalination

In recent years we have seen a predominance of glass within the exterior design of superyachts. Beginning with the evolution of floor to ceiling windows in the main saloon, and now encompassing the very structure of yachts themselves, glass is one of the most prevalent materials used within superyacht exteriors. While this advent of glass comes with its challenges, one of the companies that has become an expert in its field is the Dutch production and engineering firm <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Beekmans B.V. (Company)">Beekmans</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/295446/image/large-9a86ad4b6e964aaf9a31f165de2d1f66.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/295446">Responsible for the glass balustrades and railings on some of the most recognisable contemporary yachts, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Beekmans B.V. (Company)">Beekmans</a> is grounded in the goal to up the standards of safety and durability for its products. We sat down with the team to find out more.From Steel to GlassOriginally specialising in stainless steel manufacturing, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Beekmans B.V. (Company)">Beekmans</a> has been a household name in the maritime sector and was the first company in the Netherlands to carry out a complete package deal for stainless steel installations on a yacht. But why did the company transition into the glass sector in the first place?Prior to introducing the glass manufacturing process into its own facility, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Beekmans B.V. (Company)">Beekmans</a> worked alongside a number of partners for the glass segments of their balustrades and railings, producing design files to be sent to the manufacturers. However, the team consistently found that the glass was below the expected standard in terms of durability and strength and that challenges associated with it often lead to delays in the finalisation of the project. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/295447/image/large-8380285b7edf275d9fb050d8f5e0bd35.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/295447">As a result, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Beekmans B.V. (Company)">Beekmans</a> made the decision to bring the production of glass for its products in-house, and to introduce rigorous testing for the entire manufacturing process to ensure that its products were built to the highest standard possible.&nbsp;“Outsourcing glass can become a lengthy and protracted process, leading to increased lead times,” explains Teun Beekmans, Refit and After Sales Manager. “Now that the production process is in house, we are able to fast track production and deliver the product in as little as a few weeks if necessary. It also enables us to ensure the quality of the glass at every manufacturing stage, and because we have an intimate knowledge of how glass interacts with stainless steel, we are able to navigate any potential challenges before they arise.”&nbsp;To further expand its manufacturing abilities, five years ago, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Beekmans B.V. (Company)">Beekmans</a> acquired a CNC and milling company, expanding its own facilities with a new laser cutting machine and putting the entire construction process under one roof. Based in Den Bosch, the facility now covers a 9,000 square-metre plot, with 3,000 square-metres dedicated to production, of which 1,000 square-metres is dedicated to glass and over 30 people in the team.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/295445/image/large-2b06547991124abcf0ce64ada3588179.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/295445">Testing the limitsAs one of the main motivators for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Beekmans B.V. (Company)">Beekmans</a> to introduce glass production in-house being the low quality of glass available in the sector, testing its products has always been at the forefront of the company’s mind. Superyachts are regularly put under strain, with heavy loads, rough seas and potential impact all adding to the possibility of glass balustrades breaking. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/295448/image/large-9518bc7d031488654363c2eb36a92265.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/295448">Over the years the company has introduced new standards of testing for its maritime grade glass and all of its glass meets the stringent standards of class approval. Today class societies are increasing the specification demands for glass railings, leading to challenges within the sector as companies fall below the standard of regulations, leading to unclassified areas onboard yachts. &nbsp;With their own engineering department, chemical toughening bath, cnc glass production equipment and test facility, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Beekmans B.V. (Company)">Beekmans</a> has been at the forefront of glass testing and is able to assist its clients with strength calculations for class submittal. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/295450/image/large-b1369e3a081d8169785474daa564b380.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/295450">With the focus on the high demands of yacht building, their in-house production and precise control on that production process, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Beekmans B.V. (Company)">Beekmans</a> acquired type approvals on various glass thicknesses and railing setups. With these type approvals and in depth knowledge of glass and stainless steel, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Beekmans B.V. (Company)">Beekmans</a> is serving the yacht industry at its best.To find out more about Beekmans, its products and services, reach out to the team now;

Beekmans yacht glass balustrades

How glass testing is upping the game for superyacht balustrades

The German manufacturer <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/456" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oldenburger Interiors (Company)">Oldenburger</a> has been outfitting yachts for more than 70 years. The company continues to expand with new factory spaces under construction and more than 240 permanent employees working at the facilities in Dinklage, Germany, and an additional 110 situated in Shanghai serving the Australasian and American markets. Despite its broad portfolio of products, including the aeronautical and residential sectors, the yachting industry accounts for 85 percent of the company’s turnover. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/292944/image/large-aa1bbec2a15987d98ace19a896e0173a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/292944">On average <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/456" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oldenburger Interiors (Company)">Oldenburger</a> works on three new-build and around 30 refit projects per year, of which the major share are full custom. Joining the conversation from the very earliest stages allows the company to implement clauses that protect it and its clients from protracted build schedules. However, offering turnkey solutions means that amendments to design can cause major disruptions to schedules and over the last two years the company has had to navigate through difficult waters, made more complex by supply chain issues.&nbsp;The current expansion is one of the ways that the company is looking to mitigate increasing costs. Unifying the two Germany-based build facilities on the Dinklage site, the expansion sees the construction of three new build sheds that should improve production flow.&nbsp;“Four years ago, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/456" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oldenburger Interiors (Company)">Oldenburger</a> had three companies in five different countries, and we needed to streamline our production processes so that we could focus our efforts on the superyacht industry,” CEO Carsten Loges explains. “Yachting is our primary focus and over the past two years we’ve been looking to improve our workflow, not only for us but also for our clients, so that we could continue to offer competitive rates and deliver our products on time. However, we were still building between two separate facilities and that cost us in terms of time and money, with a huge amount of travel needed and the team split between two locations. The new facility will unify all of our 100-plus carpenters and joiners under one roof, meaning better teamwork and in the end, better products.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/292943/image/large-1c480a7b78dbd38444a35d317cbb3f83.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/292943">The expansion will also allow the company to accept more new-build orders over the coming years. Many of its superyacht projects are 80 metres or above and demand for its expertise is increasing every year. While many shipyards have in-house joinery departments, very few are able to keep up with the increased demand for custom projects over recent years.“When it comes to these very large scale projects, there are very few shipyards that have the expertise, or capacity that we offer,” says Carsten Loges. “This industry demands a high level of skill, you are talking about creating joinery down to the tenths of a millimetre and even small mistakes can cost a large amount of money.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/456" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oldenburger Interiors (Company)">Oldenburger</a> uses some of the most accurate machinery in the world. Automation is far more prevalent and the company is relying less on manual artisan work, believing that superyacht quality can only be ensured with advanced and automated machinery. Nesting machines, CNC machines and milling machines are all employed on a daily basis in order to manufacture &nbsp;as efficiently as possible. CNC machines are particularly valuable, producing less waste than human labour and offering greater accuracy than the human eye. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/292942/image/large-7970b4f4387534c9e960e112a71417cf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/292942">Reliance on machinery also helps to reduce energy consumption, something the company has focused on by implementing energy-saving insulation and heat recovery technology. However, while the company is committed to sustainability, it has been very difficult to implement alternatives within the yachting industry, though they do suggest eco-friendly solutions to both designers and shipyards.One of the biggest challenges facing the outfitting industry is to remain aligned with class regulations, particularly when it comes to fire-proofing interiors. Benjamin Bäker, head of sales and marketing, explains: “The regulations are strongly related to the design of the interior. In a REG-B certified project, everything must be at least flame retardant, while in a REGA project many of these issues can be avoided. So for each project, in terms of classification, we have to make sure that some of the materials can be bent that way. Here we have to certify the materials through a variety of ways.”Unsurprisingly, R&amp;D is important and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/456" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oldenburger Interiors (Company)">Oldenburger</a> has an expansive department dedicated to research. In recent years it has launched patents for a number of products, including ceiling drop guards and teak floor guards, and its R&amp;D team are constantly testing new lacquers and adhesives.&nbsp;This article was originally published in the How to Build It magazine.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">You can download the entire magazine for free here</a>.

Supplier Spotlight: Oldenburger 

Boasting a broad portfolio of products, the German manufacturer Oldenburger has been outfitting yachts for more than 70 years.

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Supplier Spotlight: Oldenburger, 70 years of yacht outfitting expertise

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4369" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Team Italia (Company)">Team Italia</a> has been a leader in the integration and optimisation of navigation, telecommunications, security and data transmission for 20 years. The company has delivered over 500 bridges on yachts, more than half of which are custom integrated i-Bridge systems. We visit their headquarters in Livorno to take a closer look at the latest iteration.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259748/image/large-74e5156a3f798ef5c82f855ae65909d7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259748">The conversation of automation is not new, often facing opposition from captains and owners who raise concerns about the safety and security of digitalising navigation. Over the course of the past decade, however, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4369" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Team Italia (Company)">Team Italia</a> has been quietly developing software to improve safety and usability. Its fully integrated i-Bridge integrated touch bridge series both looks good and simplifies vessel control by centralising automation within one system.During the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/97" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2021">2021 Monaco Yacht Show</a> the company unveiled its latest iteration, the Dharma Next i-Bridge. The result of dedicated R&amp;D during the closure period of 2020-2021, the upgraded version of its award-winning series features an all-new HMI (Human-Machine Interface).&nbsp;This year 26 yachts will be delivered with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4369" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Team Italia (Company)">Team Italia</a> bridges, including the first Custom Line 140, the flagship of the series by the Ferretti Group, and the 13th Tecnomar for Lamborghini high-speed motoryacht, all of which are equipped with the integrated bridge system. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259746/image/large-1e92c12db03494c858fc64eabe936f80.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259746">IntegrationLike a standard bridge, the i-Bridge system is centralised at the helm station and operates the steering, propulsion and navigation of the vessel. However, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4369" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Team Italia (Company)">Team Italia</a> has integrated these functions with almost all other digitally operated systems aboard the yacht. For example, the i-Bridge is able to monitor and run diagnostic reports, offering the captain 3D diagrams of the systems that identify not only the issue, but also make recommendations for the solution.“Unlike a fixed bridge, the i-Bridge offers unified controls from any desired sector of the vessel, which means that the controls can be accessed from wherever they are needed,” says Massimo Minellla, CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4369" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Team Italia (Company)">Team Italia</a>. “Once a system has been integrated onto the control hub, the captain and crew can make a decision about where to view and control that system.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259742/image/large-24521af8e8341bf331c40b814f4a023d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259742">While many vessels feature a fixed glass or foil bridge configuration, they have a number of limitations. The mechanical integration of the yacht's control panel is often chosen during the construction of a vessel and therefore is specifically tailored to the original captain, owner or shipyard’s wishes.Should the vessel’s management be changed, the modification of a mechanical integration requires the complete reconfiguration of the control panels, which can be a hugely costly and timely process. Team Italia’s automated and touch screen i-Bridge allows for remote reconfiguration and the fully integrated nature of the bridge means that all systems can be operated from each panel, rather than a fixed order of controls, as with a mechanical integration. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259741/image/large-3276f9cc32e4ae30a642b6af16aa606d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259741">Safety FirstThe concept of digitally controlled mechanics has raised concerns in the industry over safety in case of faults and software issues that may lead to damages. While the system is digitally controlled, should issues occur with the control of the vessel the i-Bridge can be mechanically overridden. In the case of software related issues, the Team Italia engineers are able to run remote diagnostics and, if necessary, access the system and solve the problem without having to board the vessel.&nbsp;The obvious fears around the possible breach of privacy have also been assuaged. In order for a TI engineer to access the system they must follow a strict protocol and be admitted by the captain of the vessel. The digital system of the vessel is protected by a strong firewall, which prevents accessing any data unless explicitly permitted.&nbsp;“The advantage is that we’re able to continually update the software remotely, which is more cost effective than having to manually replace systems as with a fixed glass or foil bridge,” says Minella. “Moreover, should there be a specific fault, the onboard engineer can replace the part and we can remotely programme it.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259745/image/large-7f71cca46cb524e6529d358b43e83385.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259745">CustomisationThe i-Bridge system is entirely customisable. During the production process, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4369" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Team Italia (Company)">Team Italia</a> works alongside the yacht designers, shipyard and owner’s team to identify and make recommendations for the best solutions for each vessel, offering up-to four separate stations, which can be arranged as per the desires of the owner’s team.Once the specifications of the bridge have been determined, the system is pre-assembled at the testing facility in Livorno and the captain and owner is invited to test and trial the ergonomics of the setup. This allows for configuration development, both within the software and the stations themselves.&nbsp;Already turning its mind to the potential of augmented reality, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4369" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Team Italia (Company)">Team Itali</a>a is currently developing an AR system to aid in the operation of the technical spaces aboard vessels. This will allow its engineers to assist the onboard technical team in the location and repair of faults quickly and cost efficiently.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259750/image/large-a5cadd144f30ee7dbd53b4296ee04ac1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259750">This article was originally published in the 1st edition of How To Build It, you can <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine" target="_blank">now download the magazine for free here</a>.

The future of yacht bridges with Team Italia

At the studio with Italian bridge manufacturer Team Italia.

Supplier spotlight: The future of yacht bridges with Team Italia

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6974" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seable&Co (Company)">Seable&amp;Co</a> is a new company that gathers together four other businesses with more than 80 years of combined experience in the specialist outfitting of superyachts. We catch up with CEO Willem-Jan Kuipers to discover more.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/253368/image/large-e0e80e05a6726c970e703ed80848b962.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/253368">Willem-Jan Kuipers set up <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4773" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="4SeasonsSpa (Company)">4SeasonsSpa</a> with business partner Rob Lauwen in 2005 to provide innovative and professional spa solutions for luxury hotels, spa centres and residential spaces. The firm pivoted into the superyacht world when it supplied two Jacuzzi systems aboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>’s 78-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3664" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Venus78.2m (256'7&quot;)Feadship2012">Venus</a> that launched in 2012. Since then it has worked with all the main Dutch and German shipyards.&nbsp;Stone Natural Class, a specialist in the production and installation of luxury stone products, was acquired in 2018. Bloemen de Maas, the supplier of bespoke exterior furniture, caprails and teak decking, joined the group a year later. Last but not, DTG is the group’s in-house innovations team that combines expertise from multiple disciplines with input from the sister companies. Under <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6974" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seable&Co (Company)">Seable&amp;Co</a>, these four original companies have been rebranded as SeableSpa, SeableStone, SeableWood and SeableStudio.&nbsp;Why is now the right time to rebrand as&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6974" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seable&Co (Company)">Seable&amp;Co</a>?It’s the last stage in a process that we’ve been building since the acquisition of Stone Natural Class and Bloemen de Maas. Together these companies share the same vision of craftmanship, innovation and collaboration, and we’re working on projects together more and more. It is now time to also evoke this shared vision and approach to our clients and the market and see our craftsmen operate as a true team. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/253369/image/large-74a3b525fd1509f3a1a75f703526cb6b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/253369">Your first superyacht project was little more than a decade ago, but you now have around 50 projects under way. How do account for this rapid expansion?After we started with Jacuzzis on board yachts, shipyards started asking if we were willing to take on a wider scope of responsibilities, including the stone, marble and mosaic work for both the exterior pools and interior spa areas. That led us to acquiring Stone Natural Class, which has worked with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen Yachts</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/122" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Huisman Shipyard BV (Company)">Royal Huisman</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/130" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonen Yachts (Company)">Moonen</a> for many years. Our conversations with shipyards continued on a strategic level and as the exterior areas became more important and more complex, they asked us if we would take on a full exterior outfit. And that led to the acquisition of Bloemen de Maas, which has been working with top Dutch shipyards for the past 40 years.Where does DTG – now SeableStudio – fit into the equation?It was formed as an internal start-up to further boost our in-house innovation. We saw there were quite a few innovations within our companies that were not really taking off, so the idea was to nurture those innovations to the point where they would be able to enter the market successfully and then bring them back to the operating company. A good example is a product we’re developing as an alternative for natural teak. It’s based on 60 percent teak dust from the production of furniture made from plantation teak, which is then mixed with recycled resins and other additives. We also decided to add a UV stabiliser so the product keeps its colour rather than fading like natural teak, because that’s the main reason crews sand the decks. The end result is a material that is 90 percent natural or recycled, requires less maintenance, lasts longer and is applied with the same skill as teak planking. The whole development and testing process was much more manageable in a separate business unit.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/253371/image/large-ca3174832889702bdc45883339ed7169.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/253371">What proportion of your work comes through the shipyards or owners’ teams?I would say 90 per cent of our work is directly with the shipyards. But our exterior scope is high on the agenda for owners, to the extent that for some it might even the main reason they buy a yacht in the first place. In this context, we usually talk to the owner’s team at a very early stage together with the shipyard. Some owners’ teams even contact us before selecting the yard, but nine times out of ten the shipyard is our client. I spoke of collaboration earlier and I see a lot of potential for improvements in these relationships in terms of creating efficiencies. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6974" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seable&Co (Company)">Seable&amp;Co</a> was initiated by listening to clients and bringing together our different areas of expertise, whether it's exterior or spa spaces. Each of the group companies takes about 50 percent of their work from projects that require two or more of our core disciplines. The other 50 percent is still on an individual basis. I believe this is a healthy way of approaching the market that keeps every business unit very client focused. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/253370/image/large-01beae7244f77f91101472416246e9e2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/253370">How do you see the outfitting sector evolving, and&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6974" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seable&Co (Company)">Seable&amp;Co</a>&nbsp;along with it?We are experiencing quite rapid developments with bigger and more complex projects, but if you look at the industry a lot of the subcontractors in the industry have remained the same. You could argue that is a good thing and a sign they are competitive and in good health, but I'm not sure whether all of them can keep up with that complexity. Some companies are perhaps ahead of the curve, but there are far more smaller companies that are likely to have difficulty dealing with more complex projects in terms of contracts, project management, HR, the legal and financial side, and so on, which are all part of the industry growing and becoming more professional. This is the logic behind <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6974" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seable&Co (Company)">Seable&amp;Co</a>. By dealing with finance, HR and commercial strategy on a group level, we are basically providing a platform that helps deal with the complexity of projects on an operational level.As for the development of the market, we see designers, owners and shipyards continue to ask for new features and finishes on board. Recent examples include outdoor firepits, a custom DJ-booth, an outdoor cinema and artwall waterfall feature. The job of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6974" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seable&Co (Company)">Seable&amp;Co</a> is to work across mediums to translate imagination into reality.This article was originally published in the 1st edition of How To Build It, you can <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">now download the magazine for free here</a>.

Interview Willem-Jan Kuipers of Seable&Co

Justin Ratcliffe interviewed Willem-Jan Kuipers. CEO of Seable&Co for the first edition of How To Built It.

CEO in Conversation: Willem-Jan Kuipers of Seable&Co

In September we sat down with Arjan Kleinveld, the Dutch founder of the technology integrator <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="One B.V. (Company)">ONE-XP</a>, the company that has been revolutionising the way technology is installed aboard superyachts since its launch in 2015. While the expert team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="One B.V. (Company)">ONE</a> works directly with the technological installation, there is another feather in the bow of this group – <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a>.&nbsp;Founded by Kleinveld’s business partner Andre Klepper in 2014, the two companies quickly merged into a 360-degree technology powerhouse, with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="One B.V. (Company)">ONE</a> offering integration, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a> pioneering innovation. The team at YachtCloud is dedicated to the design and innovation of new superyacht products that improve the quality of service aboard superyachts and which are missing from the available products already within the industry. Earlier this month, we met with Nikusia Koojimans, Lead Commercial of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a>, alongside Kleinveld in Dubai during the Gulf Superyacht Summit, to find out more about the products pioneered by the Dutch company. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/241099/image/large-c5b8f34b9d7e87d0e7827a3aa737f4bd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/241099">GEST Service Call SystemOne of the first products pioneered by the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a> team is the hugely popular GEST service call system. While service buttons have existed within the yachting and commercial maritime industry for a number of years, the products available on the market barely met the standards demanded by the superyacht industry. Not only were they unsightly, but they were also lacking in true efficiency of function. Kleinveld explained;“There has always been a gap between what the owner truly wants, and what is available on the mainstream market. Service buttons have traditionally been basic plastic switches, attached by a cable and only capable of one single function – alerting the crew that they are needed. We have developed an entirely new button, one that not only looks great and is highly customisable, but one that also provides multiple different functions on one single unit.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a> understands that superyacht owners take a huge amount of pride in the look and feel of their yachts and everything that's onboard them. For that reason they have developed a sleek and sophisticated button that is easily enabled with a simple wifi connection and set-up via a mobile phone or tablet app making its functionality highly efficient for owners and crew. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/241097/image/large-5edbc34b69542a4ff5b6cb8a2384bbc4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/241097">“Superyacht owners look at every detail,” explained Nikusia Koojimans. “Many of our clients start with the GEST system aboard their yachts before they integrate it into their homes and real estate and that is because it’s been designed to provide them with the highest level of service while also maintaining their privacy. With the GEST system, crew can remain out of sight until needed, and we have even created a Do Not Disturb function meaning that guests can inform crew of their need for privacy without having to speak with them. It also makes the life of the crew far easier, with the button offering an array of call functions and alerting the exact member of crew to their phones or pager, wherever they are located onboard the vessel or within the home.”In addition, unlike traditional fixed systems, the GEST buttons can be moved around within a room, or even between rooms, with only a location change needed within the app or by automatic location awareness. Once the button has been pressed by the owner or guest, an alert is sent to the desired location or crew member, and as soon as that call has been accepted, the button turns green. Not only does this give the operator a sense of relief, knowing that their call is being answered, but it also allows the Chief Stewardess to monitor the performance of the crew and the speed of their response. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/241100/image/large-e5aa685553d181f2011d0f921d06ee5e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/241100">CustomisationWhile the basic, circular form of the GEST button is fixed, the materials and technological styling of the button is fully customisable by the client and many owners tailor the system to echo the aesthetics of their own yacht. Logos, colour ways and materials can all be amended, with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a> even offering a solid gold option, as well as silver, and stainless steel, for example. The yacht’s interior designer will often be involved with the final design of the button to ensure that it blends seamlessly into the styling, matching the yacht’s aesthetics while also being easily identifiable for the owner.&nbsp;While looks are important, it is also the functionality of the button that is entirely customisable. Nikusia explained;“Because we develop everything in house, we can also change the responsiveness of the call. Some clients like to press and hold, others like to tap, some clients like to turn off the sounds while others like it to be louder. The colour of the call alert is customisable and the button itself can offer a full range of different calls. The system has to be perfect, and like everything we do at both <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="One B.V. (Company)">ONE</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a>, it is designed specifically to make the life of the owner and guests smoother and more efficient.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/241098/image/large-34ae2b167450372e2f57a636f9465d96.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/241098">Smart OperationOf course, GEST is just one of the many systems offered by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a>, and like all of the products offered by the company, it is entirely integrable to any of the others. Omniyon, which merges the yacht’s media and control system into one easy to use platform, can also be connected to the GEST system and operated through the same application.&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a> has also considered the potential complications linked to wireless technology. The system itself has smart functionality, with pop-up notifications when the device becomes disconnected from the internet, if it gets too hot or when the battery is low. The YachtCloud team is also able to access the system digitally in order to troubleshoot any problems, though Nikusia added that 99 percent of the time issues can be quickly and simply resolved by the crew.&nbsp;Not only do these elements mean that it is easy and efficient, it also guarantees that the button functions every single time it is pressed and that truly stands it apart from other products available on the market.&nbsp;With the GEST button already operating on more than 80 of the world’s largest superyachts, as well as a plethora of residential properties, it is no doubt that it will make the life of every superyacht owner easier and more seamless. To find out more, and to get in touch with the team, reach out to them now at;

YachtCloud GEST button 

SYT spoke with the YachtCloud team to find out more about the GEST button.

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