SATO SHIPYARD UTILIZES MARINE TRAVELIFT BOAT HANDLING EQUIPMENT TO AID IN POST-DISASTER REBUILD OF BUSINESS AND TRAWL NET FISHING INDUSTRY

STURGEON BAY, WI (August 24, 2017) – Sato Shipyard Co., Ltd. of Miyagi Prefecture in Japan has recently taken delivery of a Marine Travelift 150CII (150 metric ton capacity) mobile boat hoist and TM60 (60 metric ton capacity) self-propelled transpor

STURGEON BAY, WI (August 24, 2017) – Sato Shipyard Co., Ltd. of Miyagi Prefecture in Japan has recently taken delivery of a Marine Travelift 150CII (150 metric ton capacity) mobile boat hoist and TM60 (60 metric ton capacity) self-propelled transporter. The two Marine Travelift machines are designed to work in tandem for maximum efficiency and productivity, allowing Sato Shipyard do their part in building back up the trawl net fishing industry after the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.

Sato Shipyard is a third generation repair and maintenance yard that has been in business for 90 years servicing trawler boats in the northern mainland of Japan. The tsunami in 2011 caused severe damage to their facilities and forced them to stop business until just recently in June of 2017 when they reopened at a new facility. The Marine Travelift boat handling equipment is helping Sato Shipyard to accommodate a larger range of boat capacities, which in turn aids the rebuild of one of the most important industries in the area.

“The recovery rate of most businesses in our area has not been as quick as we had hoped, but the re-opening of our facility coupled with the addition of our new Marine Travelift machines has certainly shown people that there is hope for the future in our region,” said Fumihiko Sato, President of Sato Shipyard.

By using the 150CII mobile boat hoist in tandem with the TM60 self-propelled transporter Sato Shipyard has improved efficiency by decreasing the average time it takes, and manpower needed, to lift a boat out of the water and into its appropriate storage space. While the transporter maneuvers one boat into storage the boat hoist is available to lift the next. This, along with Marine Travelift’s all-wheel steering technology, has made an immediate impact by allowing them to better use their storage space and increasing revenues.

“The two machines working in tandem has given us a variety of lift and transportation availability in our yard,” said Sato. “We are experiencing more efficiency with reliability and manpower required as compared to our previous slipway. Thanks to the all-wheel steering option and wireless remote control system, we can improve overall safety and maximize productivity by using every square inch of our yard space.”

Sato Shipyard worked directly with Fuji Kougyo Co., Ltd., the Marine Travelift distributor for Japan, who will provide the customer service and support Marine Travelift customers have come to know and expect. Fuji Kougyo is just one of many certified Marine Travelift distributors throughout the world which provide marinas and shipyards alike with unparalleled support and high quality service.

“The new 150CII and TM60 Marine Travelift machines will allow Sato Shipyard to service a larger range of boat capacities,” said Mr. Wakabayashi of Fuji Kougyo. “The new machines present Sato Shipyard with the opportunity to move into larger market segments and continue to grow business in their region.”

Marine Travelift is proud to support Sato Shipyard in their post-disaster reconstruction and help to increase overall business opportunities in the northern region of Japan.

For more information about Marine Travelift and its full range of mobile boat hoists, forklifts, and transporters, call (920) 743-6202, email the sales team at sales@marinetravelift.com or visit www.marinetravelift.com.

The world’s first mobile boat hoist was conceptualized and manufactured in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in 1945. Officially established in 1954, Marine Travelift Inc. has a long-standing reputation as a marine industry leader and is recognized for its tradition of excellence on a global scale. The company manufactures mobile boat hoists, marine forklifts, self-propelled transporters and other related marine lifting products. It also has an extensive U.S. and international dealer network, with more than 4,000 units in service worldwide.

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