Building bigger boats

Decked Out Fabrications has expanded into the recreational fishing and boat building business with the same approach to quality construction that it applies to its business and camping fit-outs. Some strategic support from AusIndustry has helped the business to steer its new course and update its management practices along the way.

Shane and Trisha Stroud are keen fishers and campers, passions they share through their business Decked Out Fabrications at Gordonvale, south of Cairns. They established this business in 2013, making custom-built aluminium campers, trailers, boxes and trays for the business and recreational markets.?They also had a vision to expand into custom boat building, applying their expertise in the manufacture of gear to withstand conditions in northern Australia.

The Strouds wanted to upgrade their manufacturing equipment to improve the quality of their products but were unsure whether the investment would provide a worthwhile return on the necessary expenditure. They were keen to improve their business management too and introduce digital systems that would offer more professional and efficient operations.

“AusIndustry has been awesome”. Trisha Stroud, co-founder of Decked Out Fabrications

AusIndustry assisted through our Entrepreneurs’ Programme in 2020, where their Growth facilitator worked with them to focus on the value proposition of its products.?They also developed a strategic plan to identify where they wanted to take their business and how to get there.

This gave the Strouds the confidence to invest in new technologies and processes to produce premium quality products and develop their new boat-building business.

Their $22,000 Growth Grant helped them invest in market research and expert design advice that verified the functionality of their planned boat designs.?

Trisha says that without the Entrepreneurs’ Programme, it is unlikely their plans to diversify into boat building would have progressed so far. Their Boss Boats X6 Inshore series is now on the market, and they’ll launch the larger X7 Offshore series in 2022.?

“It fast-tracked the process of getting to where we wanted to go. AusIndustry has been awesome, working with us through the Entrepreneurs’ Programme, supporting and guiding us through the year.”

She says finding good staff has been an ongoing issue for them, as it is for many small businesses. At the start of 2022 they had a team of 6, including 2 apprentices. One outcome from the Entrepreneurs’ Programme planning was their decision to stay small and focus on customer needs and satisfaction rather than expansion. The introduction of digital business systems has helped with this commitment.

Overall, Trisha says the support from AusIndustry has provided a sound basis from which to grow their business and expand markets for their new Boss Boats.

Growth facilitator Graham Bell supported the Strouds through their participation in the Entrepreneurs’ Programme. He says the support available through AusIndustry can help motivate businesses and encourage planning for growth.?

“They see how co-investment between the business and the grant from government generates a good return on that investment,” he says.?

Decked Out Fabrications is a great example of how businesses can leverage their expertise to expand into complementary areas.?

“We see how innovative small businesses are looking for solutions and new ways of doing business. Decked Out Fabrications is a great example of this... They have good core skills and have focused on these rather than trying to be all things to all people,”?Graham says.

About Growth services

Part of the Entrepreneurs’ Programme, Growth services help you improve your capability to trade in Australian and global markets, build your supply chain performance, take advantage of growth opportunities, and manage innovation. A dedicated growth facilitator will provide access to extensive networks, information, resources, strategies, and specialists unique to your business’s needs. You may also be able to apply for a matched Growth Grant of up to $20,000 to action recommendations from your facilitator.