Established in 1989, the company has about 30 employees who have focused on making inflatable boats and RIBs from 2.6m to 7.5m.
“We have now extended our range and manufacture inflatables up to 11m,” says company owner and founder Hans Martin.
“We build and repair Hypalon inflatables, but we are also a dealer for companies such as Highfield boats and Williams performance tenders. Our customers include dive companies, hotels, sailors, the Thai military, and private users,” he explains.
Besides boats, Cholamark provide unique products, such as perfectly fitting tube covers for dinghies offered in various durable materials that ensure the lifespan of the dinghy is extended by years.
“We also manufacture custom-ordered replacement tubes for ribs, Hypalon and PVC fenders, organise the service of life rafts and fire extinguishers and other safety equipment as an agent for Beacon offshore and repair some other Hypalon products,” Mr Martin adds.
The extended range of services has landed Cholamark several major contracts for maintenance for out-of-country clients.
“For example, our repair team goes to China to repair airplane emergency slides or installs replacement tubes on large ribs in Hong Kong and other places,” Mr Martin notes.
Cholamark’s core market has traditionally focussed smaller tenders from 2.6m to 4m. “Our rigid inflatable boats are popular because they last 10 to 15 years, and customers return to purchase them again,” Mr Martin says.
Yet, a trend in popularity among larger models is growing.
“Unfortunately, dive and charter companies are not doing as well as they used to do in Phuket, and the number of sailors has reduced. The type of tourists coming to Thailand has changed, and other countries such as Indonesia are starting to become a more popular diving destinations. Thus, the demand for our middle-sized range of dinghies has decreased,” he says.
“However, lately our Highfield dinghies have become very popular due to the fact, that they are durable, light, and of good quality.
“Also, our larger models have increased in popularity as we have developed a few specialised models. In the specialised market, direction would be our larger models of 7m and upwards, which are used by dive companies and the military.”
The export demand is there for larger inflatables, from 5m upwards. These RIBs are used in Southeast Asia and the US as dive boats, in Africa they serve as patrol and safeguard boats on large vessels, Mr Martin adds.
“Our reputation has spread throughout Asia, and even to the US. We have exported our big inflatables around the world to all corners of Southeast Asia, Africa, and the US,” he says.
Innovation is the key to continuing success, he adds.
“Besides selling our standard small tenders, we want to explore some further niche markets with our larger models. As previously mentioned, we have developed some special models that are unique,” he explains.
Also, Cholamark has developed for their larger models a new system of removing and installing tubes to the hull.
“This system is extremely practical and efficient, and will benefit our export market. When shipping ribs, we now require less space and the tube/boat is less likely to become damaged.
“An extra benefit is the customer can simply remove the tube, in the case that it would become damaged, and then ship the deflated tube to us for repairs,” Mr Martin says.
“By repairing boats for 20 years, we understand how important it is to be able to access any area and part in the boat easily. Therefore, we have started with our new 11m model a robust way of building them, permitting easy removal of any floor panel. This simplifies maintenance and is, therefore, an important sales point for commercial ribs.”
Cholamark’s new 11m RIB is rated as perhaps one of the biggest RIBs ever manufactured in Southeast Asia.
“Its speed and agility places it at the top performance level of ribs in the world market,” Mr Martin notes.
“We believe these new models will be a main area where our company can develop further into the future.”