Dutch ShipYard Group partners DT&F to expand its U.S. presence

The Dutch ShipYard Group and Dwight Tracy & Friends Yacht Sales has formed a strategic partnership intended to expand and strengthen The Netherlands firm’s presence in the U.S. market.

Bob Schutte, marketing and sales director of Dutch ShipYard commented, “We’ve wanted to have a larger presence in the U.S. market for some time now, but felt it required having representation that was not only sales oriented, but highly qualified on a technical basis as well.  

“The quality of our work and product is at a very high level, and our pedigree is impeccable, so we wanted to be represented by someone with a deep understanding of yacht building, someone who could interface with owners and their captains with acumen and authority.  We believe that in Phil Friedman, director of New Build and Refit for DT&F, we’ve found that person.”

According to Friedman, a long-time yacht building consultant and former president and CEO of Palmer Johnson Yachts, the critical elements of a successful yacht-buying experience include not only the craftsmanship of the yard, but the quality of their interface established before and during the build.  Friedman said, “Our New Build and Refit Program offers clients an omnibus menu of value-added services that includes initial concept development, project planning, build team coordination, project management, owner- representation, and ancillary support in the areas of finance and insurance.

“When we say we can deliver a seamless new build experience, we really can, because we have, and that is why noted designers, naval architects and engineers, and top quality shipyards, like Dutch ShipYard, have joined us in strategic collaboration.”

In addition to building the Puffin range of sailing yachts, the Dutch ShipYard group provides motor yacht construction, yacht service and refit, and skilled mast construction and rigging, which includes the Dutch Yacht Sales, Pepper Yacht Service, Refit Centre, and Master Masts.

As Friedman points out, any additional cost of taking a yacht to The Netherlands for a major refit is frequently offset by the unique availability there of superb “old world”  Dutch craftsmanship, as well as ready access to Europe and the Med, following a refit or new build project.  He added,  “The single stumbling block before this has been the common disconnect between an owner and yacht over here and the shipyard over there.

“At DT&F, we close that disconnect by providing the entire initial project development liaison here, and sticking with the project right through to completion and final delivery.”

Friedman’s background in yacht design, construction, project development and marine business management spans 30 years in the yachting industry.

For further information, visit http://www.dutchshipyard.nl/.