# South Africa’s boat-building industry has been called to urgently grow local skills and attract international component manufacturers. Ullman Sails International CEO, Michael England, told the African Boating Conference in Cape Town reliance on costly imports from the US, EU, and China threatens sustainability. He called for a proper training facility to equip young people for marine manufacturing. Meanwhile, Two Oceans Marine’s Nicole van de Wall echoed concerns, citing high staff turnover and limited expertise as barriers to industry growth.
SA boat builders urged to tackle skills gap and attract component makers