Heesen Yachts is making waves in the luxury yachting industry, not just with its stunning vessels but also through strategic personnel moves designed to enhance customer experience. The shipyard has recently created a new role aimed at providing customers and their teams with a continuous point of contact throughout the entire lifecycle of their yacht. Eric Boers has been appointed as the Director of Technical Services and After Sales, bringing a wealth of experience in manufacturing and relationship management from various sectors.
Before joining Heesen, Boers was leading after-sales services at Alfen, a company specializing in EV charging stations and transformer substations. His previous role as service director and managing director at Vestas, a global leader in wind turbine technology, adds to his impressive résumé. With 12 years of experience there, Boers straddles the line between the customer and executive perspectives—insight that Heesen views as invaluable in today’s competitive luxury yacht market.
Historically, Heesen Yachts had its project management and post-sales divisions overseen by separate leaders. However, in a bid to foster better communication and collaboration, this new structure streamlines responsibilities. “By bringing Project Management and After Sales under one director, we are bridging the gap between construction and delivery,” explains Jeroen van der Meer, the yard’s CEO. Boers steps in when hull construction begins, ensuring that clients are engaged and informed all the way through the delivery and beyond. This innovative approach is designed to create a two-way flow of intelligence, enriching the experience for both owners and operators.
The significance of this role extends beyond just communication. Boers is positioned to relay crucial technical details from the construction process to captains, crew, and owners, making the entire experience more cohesive. This open line of communication allows for feedback from owners and their teams to be shared with the construction crew, ensuring that future builds can incorporate personal preferences and adjustments that enhance the overall user experience.
“Technology and engineering are only as valuable as the support behind them,” Boers emphasizes. The expectations from yacht owners, much like those from wind turbine clients, revolve around reliability, responsive service, and clear communication. One of Boers’ immediate goals is to simplify the handover procedures when a superyacht is ready for delivery. He plans to reintroduce captains’ events, which were popular pre-COVID, to facilitate experience-sharing among the fleet captains and gather insights to refine future builds.
Boers’ arrival at Heesen coincides with the hiring of Mike Rouse, a seasoned captain and owners’ build representative, who has been brought in as a strategic advisor. Rouse is tasked with providing operational insights to Heesen’s design and engineering teams, ensuring that valuable technological enhancements can be integrated during the early development stages of every project. His expertise will help streamline processes and elevate quality standards, ensuring that each yacht not only meets but exceeds client expectations.
As Heesen Yachts continues to evolve, these strategic appointments are indicative of a broader commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation. By merging technical expertise with a seamless customer experience, Heesen is setting a new standard in the luxury yachting industry.
For more information on Heesen Yachts, visit heesenyachts.com.