22 May 2015
International marine interior fitout and refurbishment specialist Trimline, the “turnkey contractor” appointed to refurbish Spirit of Tasmania vessels, has awarded a major contract to the north west coast-based Fairbrother Joinery.
Under the contract worth about $2 million, Fairbrother will provide counter and bar refurbishments, lean bars, restaurant and shop glazing, banquet seating, slatted timber screening, laminate wall lining and table tops.
Fairbrother Joinery Divisional Manager Kurt Arnold said the significant order would allow the company to maintain its current joinery workforce for approximately three-months.
“The project has arrived at a good time for our business and the north west coast given the low level of commercial construction underway in the region.
“This is Fairbrother Joinery’s largest individual project undertaken in the north west.”
Fairbrother has also subcontracted work to a number of other local firms – Mersey Sheet Metal, GP Glass, Specialty Veneers, Neville Smith Forest Products, Decorative Doors and Laminex Group (Launceston).
Mr Arnold said in addition to important work for the Fairbrother Joinery in terms of its workforce, it also provided an important opportunity for Fairbrother to further enhance its broad range of skills and capability to the marine fit out industry.
Fairbrother Joinery employs 40 full-time employees at its Devonport facility. The Trimline Spirit of Tasmania project equates to about 10,000 man hours.
Trimline business development manager Darren Smith said from day one the company was keen to use as many local companies and labour as possible on the Spirit of Tasmania refurbishment project.
“The Fairbrother contract, and the subcontractor appointments Fairbrother has made, demonstrates that commitment,” he said.
“Since our appointment was announced in March this year, we have been speaking to many interested local contractors and have been very pleased with the level of experience and expertise we have identified here.”
Mr Smith said Trimline would make other local appointment announcements in the coming weeks as the refurbishment works increased.
Spirit of Tasmania chief executive officer Bernard Dwyer said refurbishment works had commenced.
“The work that has commenced includes stripping out the decks on nine and 10,” he said.
Mr Dwyer said both vessels would be available for the 2015/16 peak season that coincided with the 30th anniversary of Spirit of Tasmania operations.
Spirit of Tasmania has recently launched a micro web site (www.spiritoftasmania.com.au/discover) to provide information about the refurbishment of its vessels.
The site features an updated concept video that takes visitors on a journey through the stylish new facilities, updated images and information on the new dining and entertainment options.
The microsite also reveals the names of these dining and entertainment options:
- Top Deck Bar & Lounge (deck 10)
- The Terrace Lounge Bar (deck nine)
- TMK – Tasmanian Market Kitchen (self-service dining on deck seven)
- Bar Seven (the main bar on deck seven)
- The Pantry (deck seven)
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Contact:
Soniya Fernandez
Communications Manager
saf@spiritoftasmania.com.au / 03 9206 6220 / 0438 393 898
