Ben Taylor Podcast

Flexiteek Group CEO Adam Ramsden joins Ben Taylor at IBEX in Tampa to discuss how the company works with boatbuilders to deliver consistent, long-term decking solutions across entire product ranges.The conversation explores why early involvement in the design process matters, how Flexiteek supports customers from design and templating through to installation and aftersales, and the importance of creating a consistent visual and tactile identity across a boatbuilder’s range. Adam also discusses durability, sustainability, material innovation and why Flexiteek is focused on products that can remain in service for decades.Key PointsWhy involving a decking partner early in the design process can improve consistency, integration and finish across a boatbuilder’s rangeHow Flexiteek’s global network supports design, fabrication, installation and long-term aftersalesWhy durability, lower maintenance, reduced waste and independently measured sustainability are increasingly important in marine decking

VETUS Maxwell’s Chris DeBoy joins Ben Taylor at IBEX in Tampa to discuss how the company is developing complete boat systems rather than standalone components, and why earlier collaboration with boatbuilders can improve integration, reliability and the end-user experience.The conversation explores VETUS Maxwell’s approach to system design across anchoring, thrusters and other onboard equipment, its close work with OEMs and engine manufacturers, and how the wider YANMAR Marine International group supports installation, service and global aftersales. Chris also discusses the company’s focus on product lifecycle, regional growth and long-term support for boat owners.Key PointsWhy VETUS Maxwell focuses on complete boat systems, from design and engineering through to installation and supportHow integration with boatbuilders and engine manufacturers can simplify systems such as docking, thrusters and anchoringHow the YANMAR Marine International network supports global service, regional growth and the full lifecycle of marine products

Boats Group Head of Industry Relationships Alistair Martin joins Ben Taylor to discuss why the boating industry risks losing prospective customers before they ever make contact with a dealer or manufacturer.The conversation explores how modern consumers increasingly expect to research and progress through most of the buying journey independently, why friction and missing information can push potential buyers out of boating altogether, and how Boats Group is working to create a more seamless, self-directed route to boat ownership.Key PointsWhy many prospective boat buyers may drop out of the buying journey before ever becoming a visible leadHow other industries have reduced friction by making research, comparison and purchasing easierWhy better collaboration between manufacturers and marketplaces could help grow the boating industry

Ben Taylor joins Guidi’s Daniele Guidi at the company’s manufacturing facility in Italy to discuss the heritage, culture and manufacturing philosophy behind the family-owned marine components specialist.The conversation explores Guidi’s history since 1968, why the company continues to manufacture in Italy, and how its focus on material quality, automation, testing and traceability supports consistent production standards. Daniele also discusses Guidi’s approach to sustainability, the importance of long-term supplier relationships and the company’s continued international growth, including the expansion of Guidi America.Key PointsHow Guidi’s family heritage and Italian manufacturing remain central to the company’s identity and product qualityWhy automation, certification, testing and full traceability are critical to producing reliable marine componentsHow sustainability, international expansion and Guidi America are supporting the company’s next phase of growth

Jim Bungard, Sales Director at Global Services, returns to the Ben Taylor Podcast at the Monaco Yacht Show to discuss how the company has expanded its presence across Europe and strengthened its role in superyacht supply, refit and new-build projects. Jim explains why relationships remain central to the business, how Global Services has increased its presence in key Mediterranean markets, and how its Rotterdam operation allows the company to buy, store and distribute goods efficiently across Europe. The conversation explores the importance of warehousing and forward planning during refit periods, Global Services’ growing involvement in new-build projects, and how the company supports captains and project teams from initial budgeting through to sourcing and final delivery. Jim also discusses the launch of Global Services’ own purchasing system, designed to give clients greater visibility and transparency across procurement, and the company’s plans to continue expanding its team, customer relationships and international footprint.Global Services provides procurement, supply and logistical support to yachts, shipyards, refit projects and new builds, with European operations supported by warehousing and logistics infrastructure in Rotterdam. The company is also investing in technology to improve purchasing visibility and make the procurement process more transparent for its clients.Key Points:Strong customer and supplier relationships remain fundamental to successful superyacht procurement.European warehousing allows yachts and shipyards to plan ahead, store goods and call them off when required.Global Services is combining procurement expertise with new technology to improve transparency across new-build and refit projects.Thank you to Baglietto for hosting the podcast onboard FAST 50 at the Monaco Yacht Show.

Art Hill, founder of Rogue Marine Advisors, joins the Ben Taylor Podcast at Cannes Yachting Festival to discuss how marine brands can build better marketing strategies, strengthen their positioning and turn attention into commercial results. Art explains how his career in advertising and passion for tournament fishing led him into the marine industry, and why understanding exactly who a product is for and what problem it solves and should sit at the heart of any marketing plan. The conversation explores the cultural differences between marketing in Europe and the United States, when brands should use in-house teams versus external agencies, why building a brand requires consistency rather than a one-off launch, and the importance of optimising content for leads rather than simply likes and followers. Art also shares a detailed case study from Marine Jet Power in Bristol Bay, where listening to the local fishing community helped shape both the marketing strategy and the product itself.Rogue Marine Advisors works with boat and marine brands to develop stronger marketing plans, combining industry insight, positioning, content, paid media and customer data to help companies communicate more effectively with the audiences they actually want to reach. Art’s approach focuses on understanding the customer first, using marketing data to identify what is working, and continually adapting strategy rather than chasing short-term vanity metrics.Key Points:Strong marine marketing starts with understanding who the customer is and what problem the product solves.Building a brand requires consistent positioning and messaging over time, not simply visual identity or viral content.The most effective marketing uses customer insight and data to improve both future campaigns and, in some cases, the product itself.

Ed Jones from Metpow joins the Ben Taylor Podcast at the Monaco Yacht Show to discuss how smart utility metering can modernise marina operations and give both operators and berth holders far greater visibility over electricity, water and other utilities. Ed explains how many marinas still rely on manual meter readings, trust-based systems and retrospective billing, and how Metpow replaces that friction with digital access, real-time usage data and remote management. The conversation explores how smarter metering can improve customer experience, reduce administrative workload, support more transparent charging and help marinas understand their true energy usage as demand continues to increase. Ed also discusses Metpow’s origins in the holiday park sector, the importance of establishing reliable data baselines, and how operators such as Aquavista are using the technology across multiple sites to create greater consistency and operational insight.Metpow provides smart utility metering technology designed to help marinas manage usage remotely while giving berth holders clearer, realtime information about what they are consuming. The company is now scaling its marina offering in the UK while exploring further expansion across Europe and international markets.Key Points:Smart metering can replace manual readings and outdated marina utility systems with real-time digital management.Better usage data helps marinas improve efficiency, transparency and customer experience.

Caroline Blatter, owner of Superyacht Services Guide, joins the Ben Taylor Podcast at the Monaco Yacht Show to discuss how SSG grew from personal recommendations shared between yacht crew into a trusted global directory of recommended superyacht services. Caroline explains how she and her late husband Andrew developed the guide from their own experience working onboard yachts, why recommendation and credibility have always mattered more than simply listing suppliers, and how the business has evolved from printed regional guides into a predominantly digital platform. The conversation explores SSG’s recommendation process, including the requirement for multiple endorsements from senior yacht crew, why the platform has deliberately avoided a pay-to-play model, and how advertising is kept separate from recommendation status. Caroline also discusses her work around crew wellbeing, the importance of better reporting structures and accountability, and the development of an industry blueprint focused on highlighting what good practice looks like across yacht management, recruitment and crew support.Superyacht Services Guide is built around recommended suppliers rather than open listings, connecting yacht crew with trusted businesses across everything from technical parts and provisioning to marinas, agents and specialist services worldwide. Its recommendation process is designed to protect the credibility of the platform and give crew greater confidence when sourcing support in unfamiliar destinations.Key Points:Superyacht Services Guide has grown from crew recommendations into a global directory of trusted marine services.Supplier inclusion is based on verified recommendations rather than advertising spend.Caroline is also working with industry partners to develop a more practical blueprint for improving crew wellbeing and accountability.Thank you to Sacs Marine for hosting the podcast onboard the HYPER 5S at the Monaco Yacht Show.

Erick, founder of Electrified Marina, joins the Founder Podcast Series to discuss how a real-estate opportunity unexpectedly evolved into what he describes as the world’s only dealership focused entirely on electric boating. Drawing on a background in the electric automotive sector, Erick explains how Electrified Marina moved from marina ownership and electric boat rentals into sales, servicing, repowers and multi-brand representation. The conversation explores why electric propulsion is already well suited to certain marine use cases, why specialist product knowledge and customer education are critical, and how Electrified Marina’s brand-agnostic approach helps match customers with the right electric boat rather than forcing them into a single manufacturer. Erick also discusses the growing number of first-time boaters being attracted by electric propulsion, the company’s licensing model, expansion into new markets, and why greater availability, awareness and getting more people on the water will be essential to wider adoption.This Founder Podcast Series is produced in collaboration with Yachting Ventures and Marine Industry News. Filmed at Cannes Yachting Festival.Key Points:Electrified Marina is building a specialist, multi-brand dealership model around electric boating.Electric propulsion can reduce maintenance and attract a new generation of boat owners.Wider adoption will depend on customer education, product availability, infrastructure and getting more people onto electric boats.

Mat Hornsby, co-founder of Williams Jet Tenders, joins the Founder Podcast Series to discuss how a business that began in a garden workshop in rural Oxfordshire grew into one of the marine industry’s best-known tender brands. Mat explains how he and his brother John spent years building wooden boats, remortgaged their parents’ house to fund the business, and eventually identified an opportunity in the yacht tender market that would transform the company. The conversation explores the development of Williams’ early jet tenders, the importance of finding the right engine technology, raising investment, scaling production, and building relationships with major yacht builders including Princess, Sunseeker, Pershing, Azimut and Ferretti. Mat also discusses the strength of the Williams brand, the role of global dealer support, launching the wider Williams Marine Group and Evene Tenders, and why continued product innovation remains central to the company’s next phase of growth.This Founder Podcast Series is produced in collaboration with Yachting Ventures and Marine Industry News. Filmed at Cannes Yachting Festival.Key Points:Williams Jet Tenders grew from a family garden workshop into a globally recognised tender brand.Product quality, industry relationships and end-customer demand were critical to scaling the business.Williams Marine Group is expanding into larger tenders while continuing to invest in innovation and new technology.