A Covid success story!
Exciting times are ahead in the marine industry. It would seem that despite a global pandemic the sector has once again weathered the storm. With record numbers of boats being sold and built and many yards full to overflowing, it was no wonder that the old Vulcan Yard 25 minutes north, of Valencia in the Port of Sagunto, was snapped up. I sat down this week with Greg Butler-Davis, Director of Commercial Operations for Valentia Maritime Group Refit and Repair to talk through their plans, his background and his menagerie of animals.
The question on my lips was, exactly how does one go about acquiring a new yard during Covid 19 times? Greg cheerfully explains that it was actually quite straight forward. His business partner introduced him to the owner of the Ibaizabal Group at a trade show and they got chatting about how they would be interested in moving into the Superyacht sector, as they had been in the maritime industry for a century and a half, and they thought that the time was ripe. It was as though providence was shining upon them as Greg happened to know the owner of the Vulcan yard having visited in back in 2016 with Roger Horner when he had gone ashore and worked for e3 Systems.
With a great understanding the of facilities, the potential and the current limitations Greg sat down and put together a business plan. At that time, he had started a new role at Nautipaints but unfortunately Covid hit and as with many of us, he was furloughed. Again, it was as though the stars aligned and Greg stepped in to negotiate the deal between the yard and Ibaizabal Group, also including a proposal for the management of the yard and a four-phase plan over the coming years. There was clearly a great deal more to it, however, ultimately, both sides signed off on every point.
I asked Greg why he felt the process, which can often take many years had actually been relatively painless and his answer was Covid. Obviously, it has been a terrible time and the losses both of life and economy have been tragic, however, as the title says, a positive story to come out of the nightmare is that of VMG Refit and Repair. Covid meant that there were fewer competitors in the arena, and it allowed them time to go back and forth to agree a deal that satisfied both sides. It was the perfect environment for negotiating. And Greg was the perfect person to do so being bilingual, in English and Spanish, and having a history rich in the marine business sector. It all came together.
What does the future for the VMG shipyard look like? They have a 4-phase plan that started on Feb 8th, 2021. From February to September, Phase I, they are in a period of consolidation. Restarting the yard, organising the licences, certifications, insurance and all of the background paperwork that will allow the shipyard to function at the highest level of safety and assurance. After September, Phase II will kick in where they will look at attracting the smaller vessels with their 45 and 300 tonne travel lifts. This is a two-year long strategy and they have already hauled out 24 boats in the 25 metre Pocket Superyacht range.
From September 2023 they move into Phase III, which includes the installation of a much larger travel lift. They are looking in the range of an 800-850 tonne lift, though as Greg says, with so many delicate hulls these days it is all about finding the sweet spot, as many Captains are nervous about hauling out over a certain weight. From 2023 they are also looking at increasing the infrastructure and capacity allowing for 65 metre yachts to join the party. In order to enable this, they will be increasing the overall size to 73,000 square metres. Somewhere in the region of 18 acres. This will allow for (approximately) 12 boats in the water, 2 in the shed and 35-40 boats on the hard in the region of 45m length. Phase III is projected to last for five years. Then in 2028 Phase IV kicks in and the sky, or rather the sea, is the limit.
The yard is aiming to be a mixture of the models that are currently on the scene. So, part open, part closed. A hybrid is the best way of describing it. Should a captain or owner have their preferred contractors they are welcome to bring them in, however should they wish to have an on-site project manager and yard affirmed contractors this will also be an option. It seems like a sensible plan, with a solution to please everyone.
So where does Greg fit into all of this? His goal is to make Phases I and II a reality allowing for Phase III and VI to progress. It’s an exciting project and one which lights him up with animation. A long-term sailor these days, whose first boat was the Irish Ferry and the second one in Club de Mar, he is used to being thrown in at the deep end. Arriving on the island as part of his Spanish degree year out he began working for a family friend’s property business in Palma Nova in 1987. One of the girls he worked with had a brother who was crew and so he started hanging out with that crowd. And the rest, as they say, is history.
With floppy blonde hair and a winning smile, it was only a matter of time until his dayworking turned into permanent work and he quickly began accruing thousands of sea miles crossing backwards and forwards across the World’s greatest oceans. In fact, he amassed so many miles that he was eligible to be what has been termed ‘grandfathered’, meaning he was one of the first who was eligible for his 3,000-tonne licence back in 1998. It wasn’t all easy and fun though as he had to work as a van driver back in the UK in order to fund his studies in Warsash. However, it all paid off as he landed his first job as Chief Officer and has pretty much never looked back.
I ask why he eventually made the decision to come ashore in 2016 and he told me that that there were a number of reasons. First of all, he felt that he had achieved the top of his game in terms of where he wanted his career to go. He had sailed over a million miles, had been instrumental in the building of a sleek, sexy and beautiful Perini Navi, and he kept himself and as he says, most importantly, his crew, safe and retained a love of the ocean and sailboats. He was also aware that he wished to forge a career on land before his floppy blonde hair turned a shade of silver.
Whilst VMG is well under way to be ramping up to Phase II, Greg, with his wife Claire Steel of Sarah Shield ceramic applications, and their grown-up children, of whom he is clearly so glowingly proud, are still taking time to grow their brood and enjoy life. At the last count they have 3 horses, 2 dogs, 4 cats, 24 chickens, 9 ducks and a finca that they are currently renovating. It would seem that there is no rest for the wickedly lucky and we wish VMG Refit and Repair and the Butler-Davis family, and all who sail with her, the best of luck.
By Victoria Pearce
VALENTIA MARITIME GROUP
Sc Puerto Sagunto Autoriz, 44
Prolongación Muelle Norte, s/n
46520, Valencia – Spain
Tel: +34 962 66 94 97 / +34 676 05 25 66
Email: info@vmgrr.com
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