Yamba Welding and Engineering celebrated its 50th anniversary on Friday May 24 with an event at the Yamba Bowling Club recognising its excellence in manufacturing and growth to become one of the Clarence Valley’s premier export businesses.
Yamba Welding and Engineering was started in 1974 by Bill Collingburn in his garage and has grown to become Australia’s go to supplier for premium quality, high performance vessels, for the Australian Defence Force, Border Force, Marine Rescue, Coast Guard and the SES.
In 2020, Mr Collingburn sold the business, one of Yamba’s biggest employers, to The Whiskey Project Group, which is led by two Royal Australian Navy veterans, Darren Schuback and Ryan Carmichael.
Since acquiring the business, The Whiskey Project Group have continued to expand and grow its products and workforce to become the nation’s top supplier of exceptional quality aluminium boats.
At the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest annual boat show, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, held from May 22 to 25, The Whiskey Project Group received another prestigious honour when they were named the Australian Marine Exporter of the Year.
When he accepted the award, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Ryan Carmichael said the group were extremely proud and honoured to receive the award.
Mr Carmichael said the award was attributed to “the rapid export growth the Group has experienced over the past year, and said the award was recognition of the exceptional quality of the workmanship and technological advancements in our local industry.”
Another honour at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show for the Whiskey Project Group was when apprentice, Max Morfett, was announced as NSW Marine Apprentice of the Year.
Members of The Whiskey Project Group and Yamba Welding and Engineering were joined at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show for the awards by the manager of the high-performance boats they manufacture, Andrew Hogg of Naiad.
Guest speakers at the celebration at Yamba Bowling Club included Whiskey Project Group General Manager, Michael Bradmore, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Ryan Carmichael, workshop manager, Hugh Saunders, deputy workshop manager, Nathan Brennan, former owner Bill Collingburn, Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, Allison Whaites who represented Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, and Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner, Alex Burrell.
They were joined by family, friends, employees, and supporters to honour 50 years of excellence in manufacturing and to celebrate the continued success and growth of this world-renowned business.
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 5 June 2024.
