M2M Fenders - the start of our 4th year

Well here we are - the first day in our 4th year. Not a bad day all things considered- five orders, five enquiries, including two from France.

To think it all started with an idea, nine months of research and then a wild leap into the unknown into an industry I had never worked in, had no contacts and knew no one - how exciting.

There is a saying in business - "you have to kiss a lot of frogs" - and boy oh boy have I kissed a lot of frogs:) But I wouldn't have missed it for the world. In the last three years I have met an extraordinary number of people. I have made a whole lot of new friends and had the pleasure of working with some wonderfully positive, kind and supportive human beings.

The first year was a nightmare - including a drive to Split in Croatia and back on a weekend. But what a huge learning curve and what a great foundation of knew knowledge and contacts to work from. 

The second year saw our first corporate customers and this last year has seen us consolidate and expand our corporate customer base, while developing our retail customers through our online store - www.m2mfenders.eu 

From that very basic idea, we have sold products throughout the UK, to Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Croatia, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and the USA. This week we are sending our first shipment to Singapore.

We have exhibited at boat shows in the UK, the Netherlands and Dubai. 

So what does year 4 hold for M2M Fenders? We are expanding our corporate client base and hope to announce a couple of deals with "household names" in the marine industry within the next few weeks. 

We are working hard to develop customers in the UAE and have plans to increase the range of products available through our online store. We have managed to make some inroads into the highly competitive Superyacht Market and are confident that this will continue to develop over the forthcoming year.

Is our 4th year going to be difficult given the current economic climate - yes it is. 

Is it going to be hard work - yep - but only a lot.

Am I feeling positive and excited by it all - you bet I am. I can't wait.

M2M Fenders Hamble Point Marina New & used boat show

 Gas Check Marine

A trifle windy and a tad damp - but the sun shone. The coffee and butties in the Ketch Rigger were first class as usual and all in all a good time was had.

Visitor numbers weren't large but those that were there were serious about buying boats and those that made the effort to talk to visitors were very positive.

 Dufour 34  Hanse 540

From a personal point of view it was very worthwhile and I am glad I made the effort. It was good to meet up with existing personal clients with yachts moored at the marina, as well as my commercial clients based at Hamble Point.

I also managed to meet a number of potential new clients and I look forward to supplying them with branded boat fenders and fender covers in the near future and expanding my client base at Hamble Point Marina.

 M2M Fenders

M2M Fenders RIBEX 2009

Just back from a very enjoyable RIBEX 2009. 

It was good to catch up with exiting customers Cobra RIBS Hunton Powerboats MRL and Parker RIBS.

Also took advantage of the good weather to talk to new and potential customers, as well as looking at new products for our online store.

Numbers may have been down on last year - no surprises there - but everyone was in a positive frame of mind and business was being done. There were a lot of overseas visitors, which is always encouraging.

M2M Fenders Commodore Yachting

 

I am delighted to be associated with Commodore Yachting. Based at Gosport Marina in The Solent, they can offer some of the finest sailing in the UK, from Lymington to Cowes, the UK’s yachting capital, to historic Portsmouth Harbour.

If you are looking to charter a yacht, learn to sail, improve your sailing and boating skills, compete in racing, then look no further.

Stuart and Karen will make you very welcome, spoil you rotten and above all, make sure that you have a fun time on the water. All of this combined with the benefit of their skill and expertise acquired over a lifetime of sailing.

Visit their website www.commodore-yachting.com or call them on +44 (0)23 9250 4443.

M2M Fenders at Dubai Boat Show 2009

Back from sunny Dubai - well if you ignore the sand storms and being inside an air conditioned marquee for 7 hours a day. Not much of a suntan - but hey ho.

M2Ms third time exhibiting at the Dubai Boat Show and fingers crossed it will prove to be a successful show - the hard work starts now!! It was great to catch up with people from last year and to meet new people. 

The show had a very positive feel about it - despite the woes of the world. I am really hopeful that M2M will be exporting to the Middle East within the next 12 months - which will be fantastic.

M2M Fenders and Gas Check Marine

Now this is what I call a very smart working boat. Dave Brooks of Gas Check Marine has spent hours preparing his boat for work at Hamble Point Marina - resplendent with a set of branded boat fenders.

If you are looking for a marine gas specialist on the south coast to service and advise you on gas appliances and safety - Dave is your man. Ring him on 023 8045 3633 or email him on info@gascheckmarine.co.uk 

M2M Fenders and Pearl Motor Yachts

 

Saturday morning in the sunshine at Saxon Wharf fitting the new Pearl Motor Yachts branded fenders on to a Pearl 60. A beautiful day, a stunning luxurious yacht and the fenders look fantastic - what more could you want - other than to own a Pearl 60 yourself. 

Hey ho - one day!!