Do you know that current electronics mogul who started building a computer in his parents' garage? Or the one who instead of using that parking lot to store a purchased car decided that it would serve as a warehouse to manufacture his own, currently selling thousands around the world? It seems like a coincidence, but many of the great origin stories of recognized and powerful companies begin their first steps on the same stage: a garage where you can make your dreams come true by planting a first seed.
And this story was not going to be less than the others, although it has only just begun.
Axel de la Hidalga dreamed of building his own pleasure boat. His "ideal boat", as he describes. He had always been attracted to the sea and, Despite lacking training in shipbuilding, he decided that he could create a ship in his garage that would allow him to enjoy the Mediterranean without having to buy it.. On the internet he got some plans with which he could start his work. Some time later, that prototype came out of his own hands that would start a trajectory of recognition. It was 2015. It was time to test it at sea. And floated.
The creation of a shipyard
Axel saw the potential in what he had just created and decided to show it to the world. Specifically, he loaded his ship and took it to France to show it to the country's market in a show that was organized there. It was in that place where he was able to reaffirm himself by checking the interest aroused among the attendees and seeing the proposals of other stands. Had a lot to offer, but that first prototype was only designed to be light, with a rougher aesthetic without yet fine finishes. However, he knew that he could improve his design to convince the world that, in addition to being agile and fast, he could be the most elegant.
He returned to Spain and it was when he got together with the Dianense businessman Paco Pons, another great lover of the sea, to whom he presented his project. He immediately got on the train - or rather, the ship - and that was when the Sarch shipyard was born.
The company has been growing non-stop for 5 years. Being created from 0, today it has buyers from all over the world and with more and more interested in the new models they present. But the journey has been hard, since not only the boats are handmade in Sarch. The whole process, both the construction, the distribution and the marketing is done by them.
They recognize that making themselves known was a slow process, but which compensated since in Europe they have managed to gain a foothold in a market that is more friendly to their offer than the Spanish.
Spanish boats enjoyed abroad
Sarch's ships already navigate the waters of many corners of the globe, but the truth is that their least presence is precisely in the Spanish. What is this about? Both Axel and Paco blame it on the culture we have here in terms of investing money. Sarch's Ships They are high-end, with great finishes and top materials. However, the shipyard is committed to small creations, much more manageable and faster, which can be enjoyed on specific getaways.
And therein lies the problem with the Spanish market. Here when you have money you spend in meters. Size does seem to matter in Spain. The higher the price it is believed that the bigger the boat should be, because we have a tendency to show off what we have, and the more it looks the better.
In contrast, markets such as French or German are more aware of what is worth investing money in. Its majority client, who comes from those countries, are already experienced people, over 50 years old, and not at all first-time in the sale of boats. What's more, they are usually people who choose Sarch to acquire a second more pleasure boat.
Their prices range between 70.000 and 100.000 euros, and yet they are not large, which puzzles the Spanish customer, as we said. However, they also sell the comfort of not depending on a mooring, as it is easily towable, which fascinates the rest of Europeans who enjoy a weekend at sea and another at the lake with them.
In addition, although they are not designed for competition, the foreign specialized press has surrendered to their speed, highlighting that they are boats that are fast as the wind.
The company has a dozen workers and, since they started their adventure, they have built 17 boats in a warehouse hidden inside the Marina Alta, specifically in Pego, despite the belief that saltpeter, the sound of seagulls and the smell of the sea should abound in this type of workshop. No, in Sarch it smells like mountains.
Of course, they may soon have to reconsider making the jump to a larger ship since the aforementioned success among foreign specialized press and internet forums it is increasing its demands at a good rate. Far is that garage project. Now they sail in deeper waters.
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One of his models browsing
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De la Hidalga y Pons with the latest model presented
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Sarch's ship in the port of Dénia
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Axel at his workplace
