How did Jan Saull come to run one of New Zealand’s oldest boatbuilding companies, a thriving business with a team of 20 highly experienced boatbuilders working from Auckland’s Gulf Harbour? It’s a long story – and an inspiring one.
Like so many other children from Auckland’s North Shore, Jan grew up in a family that got out on the sea in a small runabout, both from local launching spots and on Rotorua’s plentiful lakes. But the marine industry wasn’t her first port of call when she set off on a career; before having children, she worked for a firm that printed cheque books.
It was April 2000 that she started working for Brin Wilson Boatbuilders, a company established in 1952 by Brin Wilson and passed on to his sons, Bob and Richard.
The business had just been purchased by Nick and Tania Saull. No-one was better qualified than Nick to run the business, which he had worked in since starting his apprenticeship there as a 16-year-old. Sadly, Tania died of cancer, and in time, Jan and Nick formed a strong bond and eventually became a couple.
“Nick was a gentle giant, with a heart of gold,” says Jan. “He worked with customers and did the pricing, and I was in the background.”
They were married in 2015, but tragedy struck and Nick died in an offshore boating accident a year later.
Jan was devastated, and with Nick gone, she had a decision to make: carry on, or sell the business.
It was the close-knit team that convinced her to stay, and really, there was no decision to make.
“I considered the boys part of my family. They were amazing to me through the whole tragedy,” says Jan.
Those early years weren’t easy: not only was Jan learning how to run the business, and to live her life without Nick, but also the spectre of the Maritime New Zealand investigation around Nick’s death haunted her.
But fast-forward 10 years, it hasn’t been easy, but Jan is rightfully proud of what she has achieved. In an industry with very few females in senior positions, she has helped the business to excel.
It’s all about the team, she says, crediting their loyalty, skill and work ethic with Brin Wilson’s longevity.
“I am so lucky to have the team I have. They are the heart and soul of Brin Wilson.”
Most of the staff are long-termers: Bruce Dickie has worked with Brin Wilson for more than 40 years, Brian 30 years, and others nearly as long.
“They might leave for a while, but they come back.”
Collectively the team has a remarkable 200 years of boatbuilding experience, a notable statistic. In fact, Brin Wilson Boats, which was started in 1952, is only outlived by Lees Boatbuilders of Sandspit, which is just one year older, making it the second-oldest boatbuilder of its type in the country.
While in its early years Brin Wilson built more than 100 boats, many of which are still around, it’s been 15 years since a new build emerged from the yard.
That is a strategic decision Jan has made for the business.
“Building a new boat would occupy our team and the shed space and take away the steady trade of repairs and maintenance,” says Jan.
The business is known as a safe pair of hands with exceptional quality of output.
“As it is, we are busy year-round with regular clients and insurance work, and that is a successful niche for us.”
Osmosis repairs provide a steady stream of work for the team.
The Brin Wilson shed is also the home of Osmosis Solutions, a stand-alone business that was built up by Mike Menzies and bought by Brin Wilson around 18 years ago. Osmosis Solutions offers a precise, tried-and-true approach to fixing boats affected by osmosis.
Right now, a 65-foot catamaran is receiving a full service osmosis repair on a vacant yard nearby, and in the last fortnight, Jan has fielded enquiries from around New Zealand, Fiji and Australia for this work.
“Osmosis repair is very hard work for the team, but it’s a system that has been going for 30 years; it is exclusive to Osmosis Solutions, and we offer a seven-year warranty, which can be transferred between owners,” says Jan.
Under Jan’s management, the business has also built up its Flexiteek arm, which now accounts for around half of Brin Wilson’s business. Flexiteek is a synthetic deck option designed to look and feel like real wood.
“Teak is great, but it’s expensive and hard to find,” says Jan. “With our fleet aging, many vessels are due for deck replacements, so this keeps us busy.”
She says the Flexiteek company, which has developed and marketed the product around the world, is exceptional to work with.
In the last year, Brin Wilson has installed Flexiteek on over 40 boats, everything from local cruisers to sports fishers to superyachts and their tenders.
It’s a job that involves careful removal of the old deck, precision measurements and making patterns for the new decking, and painstaking attention to detail through the installation.
Boats processed through the shed receive the full Brin Wilson treatment. Some come just for new Flexiteek, but many are repeat customers that visit year after year for maintenance.
What is Jan most proud of?
“I’ve always strived to grow the business, and it has doubled in size in the last 10 years,” she says.
“I am a woman in a man’s industry, but I enjoy it. Our kids love it too. They are very proud of the business and their heritage, the legacy of Brin Wilson.”
Brin Wilson has a new website
Launched in November, the site proudly showcases the business, the craftsmanship, and the projects. Check it out and learn about Flexiteek and Osmosis Solutions at:
www.brinwilsonboats.co.nz
