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Muir have been busy in recent times assessing their current anchor windlass range to ensure that they are meeting the current market expectations.
As a result of this review there have been some exciting new winches developed and improved.
- The Atlantic 2500,3500 and 4000 chrome bronze range have had some developmental improvements and are now offered in 316 stainless steel (as an addition to the current STORM range) which makes them more harder wearing and better looking than previous.
- Muir have recently launched a new horizontal H900 “EASYWEIGH” windlass which has a stainless steel housing (see some of the dot points on the attached flyer).
- The VC800 inline capstan has been further developed and is now better than before but more importantly, Muir are able to bring it to the market for a better price. This is an ideal capstan for recreational fisherman.
- Muir have also been further developing their small to medium sized mega yacht range to include more 316 stainless steel components. Through development and better procurement, Muir are able to offer a lighter, stronger stainless steel product for the equivalent price (or better) than its previous chrome bronze range. This is a MAJOR development which should see Muir more competitive in the production and semi production market for mega yachts from 25m to 50m.
- Muir have also developed a “Quick Fit” Adaptor for some of their vertical pleasure winch range so that the installation can be undertaken more easily and in less time. This fits between the base and the motor/gearbox and simply fits with a “PUSH” and then a Cir clip is fitted as a safety measure.
Muir manufactures anchoring and mooring systems for smaller pleasure craft between 10 and 28 metres, and for mega yachts and work boats between 30 and 120 metres.
Muir exports to more than 40 countries.
“We need to be constantly developing new products and improving our existing products to stay competitive with current and new players.
“Research and development is important.
“In fact we have a long standing commitment to product research and development and will continue to invest in the development of new technology to deliver further improvements in quality.
“We are manufacturing much more of our products in stainless steel today.”
“We also have a strong commitment to customer service, communication and rigid quality control – all things I believe we do extremely well at Muir’s.
“In addition, we are passionate about our customers, with an innovative and flexible approach to design and manufacturing.
“But there is no room for complacency.
The company still employs approx. 50 people in the Hobart head office, manufacturing and design centre in Hobart, Its warehousing and sales facilities in Sydney and on the Gold Coast in Australia, Florida in the United States and Southampton in the United Kingdom.
With motor and sail yachts getting bigger by the year Muir are developing anchoring and mooring equipment purposely for yachts up to 120 metres overall.
Large yacht equipment is mainly polished 316L stainless steel and the demand today is mainly for “vertical” style windlasses and capstans, and to less degree “horizontal” style windlasses.
Matthew Johnston
Managing Director
June 2011 - TASMANIAN NAMED AUSTRALIAN EXPORT HERO
Muir Engineering Pty Ltd managing director John Muir has been recognised as an Export Hero by the Australian Institute of Export.
Since 1998 when the first Australian Export Heros were announced, the Institute has invited just 88 of the country’s leading exporters to join its register.
There are four Tasmanians on the prestigious list – Josef Chromy (agribusiness), Tim Reid (fruit exporter), John Gay (forestry) and Bob Clifford (high speed passenger ferries). Other notable Australians recognised include Wolf Blass, Tim Fischer, Doug Anthony, Georgina Rhinehart, Sir Charles Court, Wal King and Ken Done.
In announcing Mr Muir as one of the latest Australian Hero inductees, the Australian Institute of Export said: “John is seen as an icon in the industry.
“John’s commitment to his goals and his never take no for an answer attitude have been instrumental in his and the company’s success.
“He has what friends and colleagues call relentless perseverance. John puts extreme emphasis on building and maintaining relationships and this attitude has served him well as many clients have now been in place for decades.”
Ian Murray, executive director of the Australian Institute of Export, said programs that involved the achievement of people were always special.
“There are a number of factors that make the Australian Export Heroes Awards even more special,” he said.
“People who receive an export hero award have fought and won on the international stage. They have made more sacrifices, traveled more miles and spent more time away from home than they would like to remember.
“They have that magic mix of good business skills blended with loads of passion.”
Muir Engineering, trading as Muir Windlasses Australia, employs more than 60 people at its Hobart base at Kingston, and operates offices in Sydney, the Gold Coast, Southampton in the United Kingdom and Fort Lauderdale in the United States.
Muir Windlasses exports its anchoring and mooring systems to more than 40 countries where they are used in smaller pleasure craft, workboats and mega yachts.
“The company has been designing and manufacturing anchoring equipment for more than 40 years, establishing a strong brand for ourselves in the highly competitive marine engineering sector,” Mr Muir said.
“In recent years we have invested significantly in our Tasmanian factory, in a new testing facility for the certification process and have enhanced our design capabilities.
“The company has also worked closely with some of the world’s finest naval architects and builders in Australia and overseas to ensure our products meet and exceed their requirements.
“These include Lurssen and Thyssen Krupp both of Germany and Feadship de Vries, Feadship Van Lent of Holland as well as well known yards in Italy, France, Asia and USA.”
Mr Muir said the company had established a strong brand for marine engineering, reliability and technical design – a key factor in its long-term success.
“We know over the years that quality, service, relationships and price are important to our customers, sometimes not in that order, but they are always important parts of the business,” he said.
Muir Engineering has won numerous export awards, and in 2010 Mr Muir was named the Marine Export Industry Champion.
JUNE 2010 - FREE FALL DRUM WINCH ANSWERS INDUSTRY CALL
Muir Winches Australia has launched its latest product – an auto free fall drum winch – which was recently released at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS).
Designed and made in Australia (under Muir’s worldwide freefall patent), the new drum winch is suitable for boats up to 12 metres in length requiring a user-friendly drum winch system.
Managing Director John Muir said the new stainless steel freefall drum winch was unique as the auto free fall, power up / power down combined with manual release free fall were standard features.
“And its innovative drum brake prevents over run of the rode on to the drum during free fall,” he said.
“With the mechanical design freefall, there are no electronic components exposed to seawater that could fail.
“In summary, it’s anchoring at the flick of a switch made easy, fast and reliable.”
Mr Muir said the winch was designed in answer to specific industry needs.
“We are very pleased with the result that follows an extensive research and development program,” he said.
“The new product range represents the very latest thinking and was the next logical step for us to take in relation to our drum winches.”
All Muir free fall drum winches are supplied with circuit breaker, reversing solenoid pack, helm control switch and fascia panels.
The new Muir DFF08 and DFF10 freefall winches will be on display (and for sale) at the Sydney International Boat Show on STAND/S 409 and 410.
For further information please contact:
Muir Windlasses Australia
Tel: 6211 8837 or 0419 879 115
DECEMBER 2009 - NEW WINCH EQUIPMENT EXPORTED TO THE MIDDLE EAST
Muir Engineering Pty Ltd has exported the first of its new range of winch equipment to the Middle East – the largest components the company designs and manufactures.
Managing Director John Muir said the order, destined for a 141-metre-long vessel under construction in the Middle East, comprised an anchor winch, a chain compressor and four docking capstans.
“We worked very closely with the customer from the outset to ensure the final product met their particular requirements,” he said.
“The project took eight months to complete from start (design) to finish (delivery).”
Mr Muir said he expected increasing demand for the new bigger product range.
The VRC24000 anchoring system, finished in highly polished stainless steel, is suitable for vessels up to 150-metres-long.
All 5 sets of equipment features Muir multi-speed controls (variable speed), a design feature Muir’s has been incorporating into its systems since the early 1990s, and can handle up to 42mm stud link chain.
The winches have a maximum pulling power of 11.5 tonnes and continuous pulling capacity of 8.5 tonnes with multi speed from 3-20 metres per minute.
Mr Muir said “big winch” equipment was an area Muir Engineering wanted to expand into further.
“The company has been designing and manufacturing the highest quality anchoring equipment for more than 40 years, establishing a strong global brand within the superyacht, defence and work boat section of the highly competitive marine engineering sector,” he said.
“Importantly, we have the necessary experience and expertise to ensure our customers get what they want in these larger systems.
“In addition, we have invested significantly in our Tasmanian factory to handle larger components.
“We have also invested in a new testing facility for the certification process, and enhanced our design capabilities.”
Muir Engineering Pty Ltd, trading as Muir Windlasses Australia, exports its anchoring and mooring systems to more than 50 countries. Muir’s equipment is used in smaller pleasure craft, workboats and mega yachts.