Tauranga's remote-control boat loader receives international acclaim

Paul Symes of Balex Marine sees his product moving to the next level.

Balex Marine's Automatic Boat Loader has received a Special Mention in leading international marine design awards DAME, announced at the METS (Marine Equipment Trade Show) in Amsterdam.

The Special Mention recognises runners-up which highly merited a commendation, the judges said.

The boar loader allows boaties to remotely control the launch and retrieval of trailer boats at the ramp. Tauranga-based Balex won recognition in the Marina & Boatyard Equipment category of the awards, which were announced at METS, Europe's biggest marine trade show.

The DAME awards, which have been running for 25 years, are regarded as setting the pace for new concepts and designs in the worldwide leisure marine industry, said Balex chief executive Paul Symes.

"We were up against hot competition from the best products in the global marine industry," said Mr Symes.

"We are delighted that the judges have recognised that the ABL (Automatic Boat Loader) makes boating safe, stress-free and fun. This will really power up our international market push into Europe and the US."

Bill Dixon, chairman of the DAME Award jury, and owner of Dixon Yacht Design, said the finalists met the industry's need for products that were interesting and made boating easier, exciting, enjoyable, comfortable and less stressful.

"In the marine industry, we collectively need to make boating much more fun for the end user," he said. "This year's nominations provide great case for believing we are heading in the right direction."

Balex recently completed a successful capital offer on Snowball Effect of $330,500 bringing its current round total to $815,000. Balex are targeting an additional $685,000 to complete this round and actively pursuing opportunities to secure a strategic cornerstone investor. The company was launched in 2013, and had raised $2.2 million in earlier rounds.