North Canterbury boat manufacturer Rae Line Boats has exported its first boat to the United Kingdom, made possible by the New Zealand and United Kingdom Free-Trade Agreement implemented in June 2023.
Rae Line has been building boats in Swannanoa since the 1990s. Initially contracted by Sea Ray Boats of America to meet the demand for 18 to 20-foot trailer boats in the Australasian market, Rae Line has since developed its own range of boats popular in Australia and New Zealand.
Ian Williamson, Director of Sports Marine and Rae Line Boats, a net importer of luxury boats and marine products from the UK, welcomed the FTA and investigated the competitive advantage Rae Line could exploit to sell boats in the UK. With the FTA now in force, Rae Line can build boats at a competitive price point for the UK market.
Rae Line undertook extensive market research to ensure its boats were compliant with UK and European standards and the first Rae Line 185 was shipped to a customer in Scotland in late July.
Rhys Williamson, General Manager of Rae Line, is excited to explore the new business opportunities the FTA will bring.
“The ease of doing business for New Zealand manufacturers is essential for growth, and the FTA makes it possible to explore markets further afield. There is always a demand for quality New Zealand products on a global scale and the removal of duties that add no value to end consumers makes NZ products more affordable overseas,” says Williamson.
The FTA and Rae Line’s first order to the UK have come at an opportune time, he says, citing the current cooling of the NZ economy after a boom period during COVID-19.
Rae Line has built over 2,000 boats since 1998.
www.raelineboats.com
