Baung Utara Sdn Bhd - SME Boat Manufacturer showcases in LIMA2007

SME Boat Builder To Make Presence Felt At LIMA 2007
BERNAMA December 03, 2007
By Mohamad Iswandi Kasan Anuar

LANGKAWI, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- Boat manufacturer, Baung Utara Sdn Bhd, aims to make its presence felt at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2007 (LIMA 2007).

It is the only local small and medium enterprise builder in the company of more established builders
- Boustead Naval Shipyard,
- MTU Services,
- Realmild,
- Nautica Nova and
- MIMOS

at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre and the maritime component at the Awana Porto Malai.

Managing director, Kamarul Hisham Mohamed Yusof, said the company started its operations in Sungai Kedah, Kedah, using the flat bottom boat 'Scooper'.

"The boats were mainly used for cruise packages and other operations in the rivers. Using the aircraft wing technology, we were able to stabilise the boats even with all 10 men on one side.

"We updated our product with continuous research and development until we have successfully produced several types of boats for the river activities," he told Bernama in an interview.

He said the company has produced operational boats -- fibreglass assault boat and rescue aluminium boat (RAB) -- for the army and rescue teams.

"The FAB is expected to get a patent licence by next August.

"Last month, the company delivered 100 units RAB to Fire and Rescue Department under a RM6.25 million deal, the largest contract so far," he said.

Kamarul said the company would also showcase its latest boats -- 5.7 aluminium and 5.4 fibreglass -- for commercial use at the exhibition.

"The demand, local and overseas, for our commercial boats is good.

"We hope to get more clients at this exhibition as it is now a trend for middle-income family to own a boat," he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will open LIMA 2007 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Padang Matsirat here tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA