‘Alexa, find me the best technology solutions for a superyacht.’ Whether accessing high-speed connectivity for an all-important call, music flowing through the entire yacht at a party or creating the perfect ambience with cabin temperature and lighting; onboard technology is ubiquitous.
But how does one ensure this is a seamless experience? Enter: Videoworks. The Ancona-based and, today, internationally operating system integrator for yachts has been designing, constructing and installing innovative and bespoke onboard technical solutions since 1998. Videoworks doesn’t just excel in the audio/visual realm but as the cornerstone of yacht technology integration; they cover connectivity, entertainment streaming, smart cabin automation, and advanced AI applications. Their solutions work to elevate the interior rather than disrupt it, presenting sleek, user-friendly interfaces coupled with efficiency.
Recently celebrating a successful 25-year milestone, the group has completed over 850 projects and continues to add to this portfolio, not only with more yacht projects but with additional solutions and services while collaborating with an array of significant shipyards worldwide, from Ferretti Group to Heesen.
Global growth
Set up in The Netherlands in 2016, the Videoworks Europe arm has been expanding into more shipyards, becoming a reliable partner, especially for the Dutch market – with multiple yacht projects currently underway at Royal Van Lent, Heesen, Royal Huisman, Freire and Leapher.
Stefan Nieuwenhuys, General Manager of Videoworks Europe, explains: “Since securing our first substantial project in The Netherlands in 2020, this laid the foundation for our expansion; more and more orders came in from the back of this and was the basis of the expansion for where we are today.”
Their current working portfolio is impressive, standing at two yachts over the 100-metre mark near-to-delivery phase, four 70-90-metre yachts: three in the design phase and one starting construction, and three currently on order in the 50-60-metre range. Securing these projects has been done with location proximity at the fore; Stefan says: “We always make sure we set our standards high, and being close to our customers is key.”
Understanding the market
Continuously innovating solutions for the yachting sector, the group places significant emphasis on recruiting skilled professionals to spearhead these advancements. As a technical company, Videoworks focuses on technical intricacies. “Rather than the conventional project manager role, I employ system engineers responsible for the project from the first point of contact with the client until the end,” says Stefan.
Their approach is cemented in being an integral and trusted part of their client’s team, working closely with them and focussing on the technical solutions. As a result, they have earned numerous referrals. Stefan explains: “The core of our expansion is straightforward: we simply do the job correctly, we don’t think in problems, we work toward the solutions. I always insist on having the right team in place before venturing onto the next project because if we are not equipped to do what we promise, those referrals will end.”
International expansion for the group has been a steady process, recognising the different ways in which countries work and how to navigate these successfully. Videoworks considers the varying management styles, working processes and cultures. “We look at matches between cultures when assigning our projects; we focus on finding local people,” comments Stefan.
A core principle of the growing team is passion, not only for what they do but for the yachting sector itself. “We have a lot of enthusiasm for the marine world; I always find it interesting when talking to our engineers how they are truly excited about the entire yacht build process and progress, not just how our projects fit into that. The passion and enthusiasm for yachting and technology is part of our DNA,” explains Stefan.
Navigating a changing landscape
As a company involved in yachting projects 3-4 years before completion, it finds itself at the forefront of shifts in the technology landscape, remaining attuned to the evolving demands of the market.
One of these client demands has been onboard connectivity, whereby providing high-speed and reliable connections is essential. The company has been proactive in this development, setting up a dedicated team for this technology, ensuring they can continue to supply reliable systems and keep up to date with the latest developments.
“The biggest change at the moment is on the communication side; satellite communication is changing dramatically. We can now get rid of the domes, and because of this, the whole setup on installation improves, with less power consumption and heat output, for example,” Stefan adds.
The group regularly engages with various institutions and bodies on ongoing projects and actively explores potential through research and development (R&D). Discussing the future possibilities of technology onboard, Stefan explains: “While the rest of the world is scared of AI, we are technical people, so we love it! We are currently working with various Universities in Italy and The Netherlands to see how we can use it more and bring it to the next level. We currently have the first trial project running where we integrate this technology and how we can utilise it in various prediction scenarios.”
Ahead of the curve
Videoworks prides itself on reacting and adapting to changes while understanding the shifting landscape for its future customers. The company strives for not only this progress in innovation and production but also the importance of the post-sales phase, ensuring future updates can always be seamlessly implemented. Stefan explains: “In the past, technology was something to be showcased, but with the next generation of superyacht owners, technology is such a part of their everyday life and therefore now needs to be invisible.”
“More standardisation is coming, and I think this is crucial. Today, everything is available on demand and is constantly accessed; this reflects the changing preferences and lifestyles of the next generation,” Stefan adds.
By fully understanding the needs of their clients and their market, Videoworks remains ahead of the curve. As the company dynamically adapts to the evolving technological and yachting landscapes, it continues to lead in the curation of sophisticated and integrated technology systems for yachts on a global scale.
SOURCE : SUPERYACHTTIMES.COM
