Assessing the Cost Benefits of Rotomolding in Small Boat Production

摘要

The Finnish boat industry is experiencing a crisis. Three things are threatening: 1) the high wage rates in Finland, 2) the old production methods still in use and 3) health and safety legislation about to change. As the industry in large is forced to change over to new, sealed methods of producing the boat hull, we make a case for an entirely new method of production to Finland: rotomolding. In comparison to glass fiber lamination, rotomolding is capital intensive but very cost-efficient at larger production quantities. This cost analysis shows how the less work intensive production method is better suited to the Finnish business climate, allowing Finnish boat producers to stay competitive even on the international market Also presented, some thoughts about how smaller production companies can cooperate around a single (or few) hull-platform factory, and continue their business activities despite the changing legislation.