Hamilton Jet

Hamilton Jet pioneered development of the modern waterjet system and has adapted the technology to suit a wide range of inshore and offshore vessels. It is New Zealand’s largest marine exporter and the world’s largest manufacturer of waterjet propulsion equipment in the sizes it produces, with over 50 percent market share globally for its product range.

NZTE has worked with Christchurch-based Hamilton Jet since 2001, and  Hamilton Jet Marketing Manager Christian Walsh says the company has used NZTE's expertise to make inroads into international markets.

"With a specialist industry like ours, many of the usual market development strategies aren’t appropriate. The doors NZTE staff have been able to open, have been invaluable,” he says.

“We have a pretty close relationship with our NZTE client manager and he regularly brings staff from the agency’s overseas offices to see what we do first hand. With a good understanding of what we do, they are better able to work for us offshore.”

That has paid dividends, with NZTE recently locating a new distributor for the company in Japan. Walsh says the distributor is a highly professional group and the relationship has already delivered a NZ$1 million increase in revenue from the Japanese market.

When exploring the potential of a new market, Hamilton Jet’s approach is to “go and have a look for ourselves,” and seek help from NZTE and other agencies when it’s difficult to get a foothold.

“NZTE is particularly useful at connecting us with government agencies. Their support adds credibility in places where we’ve had no exposure.”

Benefits of Beachheads

Those introductions have linked Hamilton Jet to government infrastructure projects in the United States and made key connections in China and India, both markets where Hamilton Jet has joined NZTE’s Beachheads programme.

Walsh says members of the China Beachheads Advisory Board visited Hamilton Jet’s factory in Christchurch and have made useful connections for the company as a result.

“They’ve helped us locate a new distributor in China and connected us to a government agency that builds boats and is now fitting them with our waterjets. Visiting our plant was crucial – they really understand what we are about, much more than would be possible by looking at brochures and the website.”

Similarly, members of the India Beachheads Advisory Board have made high level introductions to government agencies for Hamilton Jet and NZTE is carrying out targeted market research for the company in India to fast-track growth prospects.

“In both those markets, it’s very much about who you know so the Beachheads programme has been particularly useful.”

Hamilton Jet is planning to apply for membership of NZTE’s Europe Beachhead “specifically to get the involvement of a member of the advisory board who has excellent knowledge of the marine industry,” says Walsh. 

www.hamjet.co.nz