Balearic Marine Cluster had the pleasure to interview Toni Covas, founder of Baleos Yacht Carpentry.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your work in Baleos.
My passion for carpentry and working in outdoor environments was what made the fact of being able to work on the Palma dock more than just a job, it became a way of life for me.
I was very lucky to be trained as a ship’s carpenter by the great masters of the time.
The idea of forming Baleos arose from the need to introduce the concept of innovation and modern techniques to nautical carpentry. Nowadays, at Baleos we carry out carpentry projects using developed methods of digital measurements, processing and production of parts on CNC machines, which increases our efficiency and competitiveness. T
These factors lead us to carry out increasingly complex projects and allow the company to be in constantly development.
Tell us about a challenging project and how you overcame it.
One of the most challenging projects in the beginning of my career was the hull repair of the classic Creole, a wooden sailing yacht with a lot of history behind her.
Regarding more recent projects, another challenge has been the construction and installation of the teak deck on the S/Y Twizzle which is a 58m long sailing yacht from the Royal Huisman shipyard.
For me, dedication is key. At Baleos, we treat every project in a unique way, taking care of the smallest details. My team and I put a lot of effort into finishing our projects with the desired result and achieving our goals.
Which is your vision of the sector?
The Marine industry is one of the most important engines in the Balearic Islands and I do believe that the nautical sector has been experiencing a significant growth over the last few years. We are seeing more and more large mega yachts taking Mallorca as their refit destination. I reckon that we offer a wide range of services in terms of refit as well as in other branches of the sector. This turns us into an industry of reference at an international level with a high level of competitiveness.
Why do you think the Balearic Islands are a top destination when it comes to REFIT? Is it a logistical challenge to be located on an island?
The Balearic Islands have always been a strategic spot in the Mediterranean as they are renowned for their good climate, their perfect location with a long marine tradition, where large boats have been built and where professionals offer the best refit services. It is a place with well-prepared facilities for the repair and maintenance of boats.
Balearic Marine Cluster has launched a Dual Training project in Nautical Carpentry which is planned to be launched next September, and Baleos participates with 4 workers. Why did you decide to join this initiative? And how do you feel about it?
As I see it, Dual Training in carpentry is a much-needed program as it is a response to the high demand of professionals within the sector. Many companies can’t find trained people and for a long time we have been needing a professional course that would give opportunities to people who like both carpentry and the nautical sector.
We thought it was important to join the program because our company employs carpenters with many years of experience who can provide their knowledge and experience to people who want to be trained. Baleos is committed to the training of new generations given the high demand we are experiencing right now in the Balearic Islands.
From your point of view what advantages do you get from being part of the Cluster?
We joined the Cluster a few years ago and we believe that being part of the association has given us more visibility within our sector. For us, the connection among the companies which are members of the Cluster is crucial, so that together we can support each other and represent the Balearic Islands Nautical Sector in the essential events of the marine sector as for example in the last edition of the Monaco Yacht Show.
What would you highlight about the work of the Balearic Marine Cluster?
The Cluster initiatives are very varied: they launch innovative projects, promote the destination of the Balearic Islands as the right place for refit, offer opportunities to participate in the most important nautical fairs and with all this, they make the nautical market constantly develop and grow at an international level.
