Germany

Multiplex GmbH

The story of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2864" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Multiplex GmbH (Company)">Multiplex</a>&nbsp;begins in Cowes, England, at the 1986 Admiral’s Cup. Battling fierce winds during the regatta, keen sailor and boat builder Jan Reiners experienced issues with his boat’s rudder blades.Frustration turned to inspiration when he reached for a then little-used material in yachting: carbon fibre. Strong, light, and resilient, it solved his performance problems and sparked the idea for an innovative company with a product portfolio based entirely on carbon composites.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380654/image/large-b62bab8aab076b43c565566a38c455a6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380654">Nearly four decades later, the German composite specialist is a global leader. From humble beginnings, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2864" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Multiplex GmbH (Company)">Multiplex</a> products – ranging from gangways and swim ladders to fenders, awnings, and stairs – are now found on around 80 per cent of the world’s largest sailing and motor superyachts.&nbsp;“<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2864" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Multiplex GmbH (Company)">Multiplex</a> began with basically nothing,” recalls CEO and founder Jan Reiners. “I had a 40-foot container with an oven inside, which I heated up to 130 degrees. Nowadays, we have our 2,500-square-metre facility in Bremen, which uses all of the latest cutting-edge techniques to produce the parts we need.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380652/image/large-61a9ce054270afb1ac8fa8f39c18e1a6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380652">The early years were a period of experimentation. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2864" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Multiplex GmbH (Company)">Multiplex</a> even ventured briefly into yachtbuilding, producing a tender, a 50-foot day sailor, and a 72-foot high-performance sailing yacht. But Reiners quickly realised the future lay in perfecting components, not whole boats. The company has streamlined its focus to a tight but growing portfolio of seven product lines – all crafted from carbon fibre.While the catalogue has remained largely unchanged for more than 35 years, the yachts themselves have not. As superyachts have grown in scale, so too have the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2864" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Multiplex GmbH (Company)">Multiplex</a> systems. Reiners points to his first product, the multiflap gangway, which has been in production for over 35 years, but over that time the scale of it has changed completely to match the growing size of yachts. Notwithstanding this scaling up of products, however, they never exceed 25 kilograms in weight. This is because ease of operation for the crew is a top priority.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380653/image/large-a75af6937892b379e0f2a1909d2f33a4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380653"> “Everything is still completely manually operated,” Reiners explains. “There is no push-button system. The crew need to grab a swim ladder or a gangway the moment the owner or guests ask for it – so it has to be light, reliable, easy to handle, and of high quality.”&nbsp;A watershed year for the company came in 2019, when Reiners chose to expand the company’s project capacity six-fold – from 20 to 120 –&nbsp;in one fell swoop. It was a bold gamble, requiring a major shift in operations, staffing, and supply chain management. Manufacturing and engineering moved partly out of house, which required new focus on project oversight and quality control.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380650/image/large-776f1153d8219eb76fa1a2215207b1ab.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380650">“It was absolutely the right decision,” says Reiners. “We now have it entirely under control and are running 87 projects simultaneously. At peak season, I expect we’ll reach 120 or even 130. In five years, the aim is to be handling 130 to 150 projects. But we don’t want endless growth – we’re not in the automotive industry.”Recent acquisitions, such as German filament-winding specialist Vinco, have strengthened <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2864" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Multiplex GmbH (Company)">Multiplex’s</a> ability to deliver at scale while freeing up its in-house team for innovation. New products are already on the horizon, with several due to be unveiled at this autumn’s <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade (Company)">METSTRADE</a> show.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380651/image/large-921b7e34884e93c780c7b03b76584229.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380651"> With sun awnings accounting for around 50 per cent of production, its most technically complex standard product is the multistair, a fully carbon fibre, extendable and foldable side-boarding ladder of up to 14 steps, which has a production time of 8-12 weeks. But <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2864" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Multiplex GmbH (Company)">Multiplex</a> also breaks ground with bespoke solutions on occasion. One such is a fully integrated steering station made entirely of carbon for a 38-metre yacht, for which the company was responsible for the complete production and project management. Behind the scenes, the team is developing new products and refining existing ones, with some set to debut at this year’s <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade (Company)">METSTRADE</a> show.For Reiners, the journey has never been about chasing scale for its own sake. Instead, it has been about identifying problems, creating lightweight, durable solutions, and ensuring they can be deployed quickly and effectively on board. That ethos – born out of a rudder issue in Cowes nearly 40 years ago – remains at the heart of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2864" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Multiplex GmbH (Company)">Multiplex</a> today.This article was first published in <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-9-download" target="_blank">issue 9 of How To Build It</a>. You can read all the articles from this edition <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-9-download" target="_blank">here</a>, and stay up-to-date with all previous editions <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine" target="_blank">here</a>.

Multiplex CEO Jan Reiners interview

SuperYacht Times sits with Multiplex founder Jan Reiners to explore the company’s rise and what’s next for the brand.

Engineering in carbon: The Multiplex approach to modern superyacht systems

Next year, the third edition of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/208" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Technology Show 2024 - 4th edition">Superyacht Technology Show</a> is due to take place at the World Trade Centre in Barcelona. Bigger and better than ever, the event has tripled in size over the past year, having received major investment from Will Faimatea, Founder of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2965" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bond Technology Management (Company)">BOND TM</a>, the team is currently in the process of finalising some of the world class experiences visitors can expect to find. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/284425/image/large-b681d4e8959569fbb2f8182de33a7cc1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/284425">Unlike any other superyacht industry event, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/208" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Technology Show 2024 - 4th edition">Superyacht Technology Show</a> is a private event, hosted solely for superyacht industry professionals and targeted at ETOs, engineers, captains, owner’s representatives, interior designers, naval architects and senior shipyard staff.. Established to provide a platform for the most innovative minds in the technology sector to demonstrate their capabilities, the show represents an unusual opportunity for professionals to see the future of onboard tech first hand. With a low entrance fee to purchase day tickets to experience the day time activities, the event also presents an unequalled opportunity for new investors to uncover some of the brightest companies of the future through its Accelerator Program.While the team are keeping many of their cards close to their chest for the time being, we have taken a closer look at some of the coolest features that the upcoming show will present.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/292999/image/large-953c891fc8da240bcfb78c396ec823ef.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/292999">Immersive experiencesWith 200 exhibitors across three floors, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/208" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Technology Show 2024 - 4th edition">Superyacht Technology Show 2024</a> is determined to do things differently, and the organisers have partnered with a number of designers and suppliers to create some truly immersive experiences for the 2024 edition. With the goal to not only tell visitors about technology, these unique zones offer visitors the opportunity to truly experience the tech in a real life setting.Jack Robinson describes the cinematic experience, one of the many immersive displays at the event; “We have partnered with Thorsten Steinbrecher of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Qualtron (Company)">Qualtron</a> to create a real superyacht cinema at a cost of €500,000. Eight suppliers have come together to design and construct this custom cinema experience, from lighting, AV/IT to carpets and upholstery, each company has put its best products forward to offer visitors a truly immersive cinema experience.”With interior and exterior spaces, the cinema demonstrates the capabilities of technology and is set to arm visitors with the knowledge of how to create world-class cinematic experiences onboard yachts.&nbsp;Another of the immersive spaces at the show is the roof terrace, which has been designed to recreate a superyacht exterior deck. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2864" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Multiplex GmbH (Company)">Multiplex</a> has taken the lead on the terrace, and has brought together designers, fabric makers, AV/IT teams, and unique technologies such as the heaters from Dutch company Bromic which create heat bubbles. The concept is to show to the visitors what is possible; demonstrating the capabilities of hydrophobic textiles; offering live stream feeds from some of the world's most advanced cameras, and at the same time surrounding visitors with views of the ocean from the roof of the World Trade Centre. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/284424/image/large-dec161558c72636040e2b6be16b3fd5b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/284424">In addition, one of the leading global experts in sound technologies, Steinway Lyndorf, is taking over the ground floor restaurant, a glazed square building that sits at the entrance of the show, known as The Cube. The company will curate a unique sound experience, to demonstrate how sound and noise can be manipulated onboard yachts and how glazing can be used as a tool in sound design. Visitors will be invited to enter the space and experience the immersive exhibition, and speak to the team behind the technologies.You can see the full walkthrough of the show here:<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BpYctlqzLX8?&amp;t=3s&amp;wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> Opportunities for Entrepreneurs&nbsp;For the first time, the show organisers will facilitate the opportunity for entrepreneurs to present their technologies to a number of ‘dragons’ – real life investors and highly successful entrepreneurs. Three dragons have already been announced, with a collective investment record of over €100 million in tech to date, and each of them will select 10 companies for a seven minute pitch in a private meeting room. The dragons are;Robert Arthur Robinson, CEO &amp; Founder – Above + Beyond / RAR MGMT. Robert is a startup entrepreneur who has scaled multiple companies globally from the ground up to become profitable multi-million turnover businesses. With a credible track record and broad knowledge in fundraising, luxury/lifestyle, hospitality and the tech sector, he previously held positions as MD of CharityStars &amp; AidCoin and VP of Leavy. Robert has raised over $60M for charitable initiatives through various funding mechanisms and currently operates as CEO &amp; Founder for Above + Beyond and RAR MGMT.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259993/image/large-374092eab1eb0763cb589d4b68d80542.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259993">Will Faimatea, Director and Founder – <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2965" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bond Technology Management (Company)">Bond Technology Management &amp; Consultancy</a>. Will is a yachting industry entrepreneur known for founding BondTM a consultancy firm specialising in yacht technology. He also founded Jetstream 15 years ago and won a worldwide patent for a streaming technology for yachts specifically.Will started in the industry as an ETO and saw a need for better technical solutions in yachting. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2965" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bond Technology Management (Company)">Bond TM</a> broke the tradition of choosing providers based on proximity and other factors and instead focused on offering the best options based on meritocracy. Faimatea has expanded <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2965" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bond Technology Management (Company)">Bond</a> through strategic acquisitions while retaining the individuality of the acquired businesses.Robert Croucher, Founding Partner Hatton &amp; Berkeley. Robert has over 15 years’ experience of advising market leading media and telecoms companies, some highlights of his achievements over the last decade include that he has advised and overseen over two thousand online start-up UK company incorporations over the last 13 years. He has also structured UK Film Investments of over £40 million, pioneered SVOD platform development, design and build of white label products for rights holders.While the dragons make no commitment to investment, they are there to offer their mentorship and advice to the companies at the show and offer an invaluable opportunity for entrepreneurs to get first hand insight into the workings of the tech and superyacht sectors from individuals who are truly experts in their fields. Will Faimatea explains; “We are going to challenge their concepts, give them ideas about how they can better advance their business within the yachting sector.” Whether you are one of the 10 companies or not, the dragons will be at the show for both days, visiting the booths and talking to exhibitors, so everyone has the opportunity to speak with and learn from these inspirational individuals.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/293008/image/large-f36b8fd4c943ab3299c53fa5cccb4953.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/293008">Stand out technologies&nbsp;With the show designed around showcasing the very best of global technology, it is no surprise that there will be a number of stand out exhibitors at next year’s event. One such exhibitor will be Davi Headphones, the world’s first truly noise cancelling headphones. Davi – the engineer behind Beats by Dr Dre – first presented his concept, a product that has taken him 10 years to develop, at the 2022 edition of the Superyacht Technology Show. Next year he will be presenting the first physical models, alongside some extraordinary content for visitors to enjoy.&nbsp;In addition, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1536" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Telemar Yachting Srl (Company)">Telemar Yachting</a>, a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1586" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marlink SA (Company)">Marlink Group</a> company, has partnered with renowned bridge console designer Pariani Srl to create T-Master Touch, which will be available for demonstrations during the show. This unique full-touch bridge for superyachts, combines touchscreen technology with flexible bridge ergonomics.T-Master Touch combines workstations/pods, each equipped with large 32-inch 4K touchscreen displays which can be built-in or installed standalone, enabling the bridge team to optimise their workflow, replacing the traditional linear console approach. On-screen navigation functions can be completely customised, allowing users to choose displays and overlays as well as controlling bridge functions, reflecting different operating scenarios.And finally, YachtAware, from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Linc Security Systems (Company)">LINC Security Systems</a>, will be exhibiting its latest interface and showing visitors the capabilities of its CCTV capabilities. By using pre-placed cameras, you can easily navigate and monitor the specific areas which require extra security or safety measures. &nbsp;With multiple layouts, you can pan 360 degrees so you can control, monitor, and view everything going on from anywhere.&nbsp;As well as the innumerable technologies on display, the Show will also be hosting a series of its now renowned 'Tech Talks'. The 500 seater conference space at the World Trade Centre will be utilised for the occasion and Nikusia Kooijmans, Marketing and Sales Manager of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="One B.V. (Company)">One B.V.</a> and Margarita Amam, Founder and Managing Director of IMS, will be hosting the talks. The full list of speakers can be found below.Of course, these are just a few of the innovative companies due to exhibit at the event, but to find out more visit <a href="http://www.superyachttechnologynetwork.com/show-2024" target="_blank">www.superyachttechnologynetwork.com/show-2024</a> where you can purchase a ticket to attend, view the Show Kit to find out more about exhibiting or sponsoring and apply for your VIP ticket.&nbsp;

What to expect at Superyacht Technology Show 2024 

We sat down with the organisers of the Superyacht Technology Show 2024 to get the full story on the show.


“We are showing you how technology solves problems”: What to expect at Superyacht Technology Show 2024 

The 40-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a> 40 Alloy <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/asteri" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht Asteri is for sale</a>. Previously named Tesoro of London, she features an exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/586" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francesco Paszkowski (Company)">Francesco Paszkowski</a> and an interior by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a>. The 338 GT superyacht was built and originally delivered to her owner in 2011. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/185979/image/large-4e336d04d4340cb7540144d84b4ef26d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/185979">One key design feature is her fold-out balcony, which maximises space and allows guests to enjoy ocean views in the open air. The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/sanlorenzo/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Sanlorenzo yacht for sale</a> also had a major interior refit at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a> yard in 2019.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/185984/image/large-df027d50de0111093ee327371c0e35ac.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/185984"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/185983/image/large-280409f9bb6efe1680f070885de80909.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/185983"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/185981/image/large-f7d40dedad4b3c2499bef7e51cad1133.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/185981">The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/asteri" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht Asteri is for sale</a> and has space to accommodate up to 10 guests on board, assisted by a crew of six. Her refit resulted in a fully updated AV system as well as a completely refitted upper deck with Paola Lenti outdoor furniture, a custom-made varnished teak buffet bar and a tenting system designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2864" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Multiplex GmbH (Company)">Multiplex.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/185980/image/large-3277caed5c15bca57506f7decfe639ac.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/185980"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/185982/image/large-64cdbc22b3259d6198194f26ab3ffe5d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/185982"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/185978/image/large-f7a2593f1cc864ebb780e51429f984ac.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/185978"></a>The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/motor/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">motor yacht for sale</a> also features a master cabin complete with an extended cabin bed at 210 cm wide. The master features a steam room and shower as well as a convertible study and gym. In the master cabin and main saloon there are four folding platforms that can transform into balconies. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/185985/image/large-cbbe8114c2552596f1fd759e2ccdba28.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/185985">The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/asteri" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht Asteri is for sale</a> and ready for cruising. Her twin MTU 12V 4000 M93 engines allow for comfortable cruising at a speedy 26 knots, and she can reach a top speed of 28 knots.

40m Sanlorenzo yacht Asteri for sale

New to market: yacht Asteri for sale! She is a 40m Sanlorenzo built and launched in 2011, with space for 10 guests and six crew.