how the current crisis is affecting the leisure marine industry eesc hearing in vigo – 1st...
TRANSCRIPT
How the current crisis is affecting the leisure
marine industry
EESC hearing in Vigo – 1st December 2009
Mirna Cieniewicz, Secretary GeneralEuropean Boating Industry
The boating industry today
The boating industry today
European Boating Industry
Our industry comprises of: Boat builders (sailing, motor boats, RIBs) Equipment manufacturers for boats (electronics,
interior furnishing, rigging, etc) Equipment manufacturers for water sports (wind /
kitesurfing, canoeing, kayaking, diving, etc.) Infrastructure builders and operators (marinas) Service providers (trade & maintenance, chartering,
financial / insurance services, schools, etc.)
Industry Facts & Figures
Approx. 37,200 businesses in Europe At least 272,000 direct employees 23.4 billion EUR of annual revenue 97% of these businesses are SMEs Steady growth rate of 6% for the past 10 years Export-oriented Europe is the world leader in this sector
High quality & innovative products and technologies
48 million European citizens regularly practice leisure marine activities
The industry was hit hard by the crisis
Thousands of companies hit by the financial crisis and the credit crunch, resulting in restructuring and cost-cutting programmes, massive lay-offs, bankruptcies of major players
Sales and turnover fell by 30-40% in 2008 All segments were affected in 2008 Rising grey imports of used boats encouraged by
weak dollar Crisis generated a negative atmosphere for buyers Banks cut on financing options for clients Companies demonstrated a lot of creativity!
But people continue boating…
A normal and even good year for the chartering industry in 2009
Some new behaviours appeared: Last minute booking Shorter renting periods Bookings outside of the normal peak season
A good year for marinas And for shiphandlers (repair & maintenance
services, equipment retail)
Some specificities of our industry
Our industry does not only produce for leisure, we equip coastguards, maritime police, militaries, etc.
Boatbuilding, equipment and engine manufacturing are in between mass and on-order production
We offer a large variety of jobs from both the industrial and the tourism worlds
Boatbuilding and boating are revenue-generating activities in coastal regions but also inland with rivers and lakes
European boaters buy what they can afford
Some of the jobs in our industry
Some proposals to you
Implement an effective market surveillance in Europe Support R&D efforts of an innovative industry
EU FP7 Transport programme is too cumbersome for SMEs Environmental innovation needs to be lead development
Support the export efforts to win new markets abroad Professionalise the nautical jobs:
Europe-wide recognised trainings, skills and positions “Marinise” competences
Easier access to finance for companies More options to finance the boat acquisition
Thank you for your attention!
European Boating Industry Mirna Cieniewicz, Secretary GeneralTel +32 / (0)2 741 24 46E-mail [email protected]