Don Bissessar, second left, receives the award. Alongside are representatives from Motor Boat and Yachting Magazine (MBY) and the sponsors.
A Dorset business has blown its multi-national rivals out of the water by winning an award at the ‘Oscars’ of the motor boat world.
Gibbs Quay Boat Sales, headquartered in Poole, won the Customer Service award at the glittering ceremony held at the huge Dusseldorf Boat Show in Germany.
The ‘2023 Motor Boat Awards’, run by Motor Boat and Yachting magazine, brought the biggest and best names in the industry together.
The Customer Service category was open to all businesses in the sector and nominations were only from the public.
It was a surprise for the team at Gibbs Quay Boat Sales but glowing testimonials from its customers impressed the judges.
Comments included: “The after-sales experience has totally matched the pre-sales experience, dealing with minor niggles and providing us with unlimited technical advice.”
And: “They made us feel welcome from day one and had the patience of a saint as we chose our new boat. They are a credit to the marine industry.”
Don Bissessar, who bought the company in 1986 and moved it to its present HQ in 2012, said it was reward for his dedicated staff.
He said: “Our policy has always been that customers are our best ambassadors. If we treat them as well as we can they are likely to speak well of us.
“One sale we had was from someone who had heard two passengers on a cruise discussing how they had both bought boats from us.
“We go to all the major shows to display the motor boats we are selling – we are the sole UK distributors.
“We were proud to be shortlisted for the award because these are the Oscars of the industry, with an independent panel of judges.
“They are open to every business in the UK so to win one is extremely special.
“Our boats go up to 60ft in length and we work with first time boat owners as well as more experienced ones.
“One great asset is our premises and boat yard in Poole near to the Twin Sails Bridge where we have room for boats to be displayed.
“The award is our latest and probably one of the most significant.”
Hugo Andreae, editor of Motor Boat and Yachting magazine, said the Customer Service Award was based on nominations from the public.
He said: “The judges based their decision not just on the number of nominations – which would favour big companies – but also on the quality of service provided.
“This year, we had more nominations than ever before, with several previous winners making it through to our shortlist of finalists, proving that good customer service isn’t just a passing phase but permanently ingrained in the culture of the best companies.
“Gibbs Quay Boat Sales has a long track record of looking after its customers and particularly of helping new buyers take their first tentative steps into boating – a daunting prospect for many.”
The 2023 Motor Boat Awards were sponsored by Sleiper with the Customer Service Award sponsored by Garmin.
Don Bissessar, centre, and his Gibb Quay Boat Sales team
Ends
For more information contact Ed Baker at Deep South Media on 07788392965
