All the way to the Italian island of Sicily, Roberto Mancuso channeled his passion for sailing and boat building in Jepara in Central Java after layoffs in the region for the first time in 1996. here, in the most famous regency for wooden sculptures he created Vintage Asia Marine, a company that builds various types of classic boats replicas like Riva ( Runabout model), and American Express Speedsters coastal commuters.
After more than 20 years of boat building in Jepara, Mancuso came to the conclusion that it was time for him to retire and take charge of their own business as a consultant. During my visit to his home and boatyard, I had the opportunity to talk with him and get a real insight into its unique corporate vintage boat.
What made you come here for Indonesia?
I am a little bored in Europe. Here, time is more relaxed, more peaceful, and people are more respectable; not to think about business and making money all the time. So I moved here for business, but I understand that there are more opportunities to do other things. You can work and relax. I did not originally intend to come and stay here for life, but now it has been more than 20 years.
Can you share with us the story of how this classic boat affair was opened in Jepara
boat Vintage Marine Asia | Photo by Caranissa Djatmiko
I first moved here after spending five years in Malaysia. When I arrived here, I knew Jepara was a special center for furniture and sculpture. So I moved here and I would say that the furniture business is more important than the boat business. So I started making furniture for many years. But my knowledge was in the boat and I want to make boats for pleasure. So in 2003, I stopped the business of furniture and I began to make boats.
I also trained the staff because the people here are very good with productions handmade. So what I did was I took the best people here and brought a person from Holland - who was an engineer who built boats - to train people here. First, we trained about 13 people, but today we have only three staff members and myself. I also went to Holland for training three to four weeks on the wooden lapstrake system for my first client in Amsterdam. But my knowledge of classic wooden boat building and has come to my boatyard in Palermo from 1975 to 1990. Then I started making them myself here.
Who are your customers?
In Indonesia, this vintage boat is not very popular. The public is not so interested in boats like this; if you look at Bali, it is fiberglass, built quickly and with cheap materials. Our boats are supposed to be for specific people who really appreciate vintage design. This vintage design is very popular in the Netherlands, to go on the lake and canals. People appreciate good design. Here there are not many people who appreciate this wooden design. So we have a very specific market. We target mainly expatriates, but of course there are some Indonesians who appreciate the old design.
boatyard Roberto Mancuso | Photo by Caranissa Djatmiko
I think 90 percent of people do not like my production because everything is made of wood. But 10 percent, they love. It is difficult to find people who do this kind of work because it is not commercial, so this is just for those who love and understand what I do. I also sometimes boats for me and my friends.
What makes a high quality vintage boat?
This is all done by hand. I think someone who appreciates the boats, you would say it is like a living thing that is not done by a machine but by people.
Where did you get the designs for these creations?
I used to buy classic designs of museums around the world and make a copy. The museums of America, Germany and China, for example, have a library specifically for all types of boat models ranging from centuries ago until today. Because I do not do commercial boats, I make boats for those who like antiques, but not genuine antiques because I'm their copies.
What services do you offer to customers?
We receive requests from clients. They can buy the basic model or they may ask the full version. So for the local market, we expect to provide them the opportunity to purchase in installments, like when you buy a car or a motorcycle.
Jepara What do you think of as a tourist destination
The view from the office of Roberto? | Photo by Caranissa Djatmiko
Jepara, I think, is the future of the tourist spot for Indonesia. It is different from Bali, perhaps because of the culture, but the sea is OK here and it's cheaper than Bali. With Bali and Lombok, large companies develop these areas, I do not understand. When they start to make golf clubs and five-star hotels, this would be the beginning of the end. I would rather have Jepara to stay as it is.
What is next for Vintage Marine Asia?
After this I would like to withdraw and not continue to work, so I teach my employees to do this job. And now I'm the consultant. I supervise, support the quality control and transfer my skills and knowledge to my workers
This is why the management of Jepara Boatyard, and responsibility for production, has been entrusted two of the most skilled shipwrights in my staff, and Pak Yono Pak Eko, with the mission to maintain the high quality standards set in the previous 15 years by myself in Jepara. The design, quality control and the final say in Jepara Boatyard rest in my own hands.
What message would you send to people who are struggling in their business?
If you are creative, you can do what you want. Find people who can follow you and work together well in your projects!
For more information please visit http://vintagemarineasia.com