Situated along the banks of the Whanganui River, Q-West Boat Builders has been a vital part of New Zealand’s marine industry since the 1960s. Evolving from modest origins to a prominent leader in commercial boat building, the company has navigated decades of transformation, innovation and success. Chief Executive Colin Mitchel, shares Q-West’s vision for the future, its groundbreaking projects and commitment to apprenticeship training.
“The facility has been here since the ’60s,” says Colin. “It’s changed hands a few times, but Q-West re-emerged in the early ’90s, and in 1997, our now Managing Director, Myles Fothergill purchased the company. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength.”
Q-West’s success is built on adaptability. “As a commercial boatbuilder in New Zealand, you have to be diverse,” Colin explains. “You can’t be a one-trick pony because there just aren’t enough boats. We work on fishing vessels, pilot and patrol boats, collaborating with designers from around the world. We don’t have in-house design capability, and we see that as a strength – when a customer comes to us, we find the best designer for their application.”
Leading the Charge
Q-West is leading the way with New Zealand’s first significant electric-hybrid ferries, a project Colin describes as ‘‘a group effort.” Collaborating with Incat Crowther for design, Hamilton Jet, Fullers and Auckland Transport as purchasers, “Electric-hybrid ferries aren’t new globally, but they’re a milestone for New Zealand,” says Colin.
Mentoring Apprentices
Operations Manager Chass Wardle is a proud advocate for Q-West’s structured training approach. He’s the ‘connector,’ guiding apprentices through their assessments and preparing them for visits from MAST Academy’s Training Advisor, Robert. Chass emphasises that Q-West views apprentice training as a key to its success. “It’s about building their knowledge and skills, growing the company, and preparing them for greater responsibilities,” he explains.
To support apprentices in their training, Q-West offers dedicated support. “We set aside an hour every Friday for apprentices to study together on-site, fully paid,” Chass says. “You can’t just leave them to figure it out on their own – I know that because I was an apprentice here myself.”
Balancing his roles as both Operations Manager and Workplace Trainer can be challenging, but Chass also finds it very rewarding. “The biggest payoff is seeing their pride when they graduate,” he shares.
For Colin, apprenticeships are both personally meaningful and professionally valuable. “I did my apprenticeship back when this was Whanganui Boats, as did Myles. Training has always been a stepping stone to success, especially for those who don’t want to pursue university – work-based training offers a practical alternative.” Q-West currently has six apprentices, all of whom are supported by Chass. “Chass is doing a fantastic job,” Colin adds.
A Workforce for Tomorrow
Q-West’s future is as ambitious as its present. “We’re building a new port facility about a kilometre north of here, set to open next year,” Colin reveals. “It includes a 380-tonne capacity boat hoist, which will allow us to expand our refit operations.”
The new facility is set to make the refit side of operations as significant as new builds, doubling both staff numbers and operational turnover. “It’s exciting for Whanganui,” Colin says. “This expansion will open up opportunities for young people in trades, such as marine coatings, hydraulics and electronics, with the potential for them to even branch out and start their own businesses.”
As Q-West grows, so does its commitment to mentoring talent. “Our ultimate goal is to end up with a workforce that is highly skilled,” Colin says. “MAST training supports that vision, and our apprentices are central to the growth.”
Through its innovative projects, dedication to training, and forward-thinking vision, Q-West is shaping the future of boat building, right here in Whanganui.