C-Quip

What C-Quip does

C-Quip is a privately held New Zealand manufacturer of custom carbon fibre composite equipment, founded in 2000 by Paul Hackett and headquartered in Auckland. The company designs and produces bespoke marine, aerospace, and motorsport components — including swim ladders, boarding stairs, dock steps, pilot ladders, swim stairs, tender fenders, telescoping light masts, and telescoping tender booms — alongside fully custom engineering projects. Manufacturing uses pre-preg carbon fibre with autoclave curing, titanium and 316 stainless steel fittings, and sustainably sourced teak across two state-of-the-art autoclave-equipped facilities in Auckland and Clark, Philippines.

The business operates a quote-based, project-pricing model serving three primary verticals: superyacht owners and builders (40m+ vessels, including Oceanco, Lürssen, Feadship, and Benetti), aerospace manufacturers and airlines (Air New Zealand, Virgin Atlantic, Kitty Hawk for EVTOL airframes), and motorsport teams. Distribution is field-sales led with regional directors covering Europe, Asia, and Australasia, supplemented by deep participation in METSTRADE and the Monaco Yacht Show. The company holds ISO9001, AS9100, Lloyds Register Approved facility status, and a Lloyds Register Type Approval on its carbon fibre pilot ladder, which it describes as worn on 60% of the largest superyachts launched in the past decade.

In 2021, C-Quip merged its sister company Advanced Aerospace Ltd into the C-Quip master brand, bringing 15+ years of aeronautical carbon fibre design capability and opening a second manufacturing facility in Clark, Philippines, in the same year. The company remains founder-controlled with no disclosed external investment, a headcount of 50+ across facilities, and global sales/service presence across Europe, the Americas, and Australasia.

Name

C-Quip

Legal name

C-Quip

Website

https://c-quip.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

C-Quip is a New Zealand-based carbon fibre composite manufacturer founded in 2000, designing and producing bespoke marine, aerospace, and motorsport equipment — including superyacht boarding gear, pilot ladders, light masts, and EVTOL airframes — across two autoclave-equipped facilities in Auckland and the Philippines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Ship and Boat Building (3366), Ship and Boat Building (33661)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

FRP/GRP & Composite Materials (Resins, Fibers, Core Materials) (IMAJAKAC), Outfitting Modules & Skids (Accommodation, Machinery, E-House, Pipe Racks) (IMAJAKAF)

Keywords

• Carbon fibre manufacturing
• Superyacht equipment
• Marine boarding solutions
• Composite engineering
• Aerospace components

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom Carbon Fibre Marine Equipment: Design and manufacture of bespoke carbon fibre equipment for superyachts including swim ladders, boarding stairs, tender fenders, pilot ladders, light masts, and tender booms. Products are custom-made to client specifications with options for colour matching and logo incorporation.
2. Aerospace Components Manufacturing: Design and manufacture of carbon fibre aerospace components including airframes, pilot seats, pylons, internal structures, and tray tables for airlines. Includes spare parts and composite repairs.
3. Motorsport Components: Custom spare parts and composite repairs for motorsport applications including carbon fibre spoilers, bumpers, and bespoke bodywork.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

C-Quip designs and manufactures bespoke carbon fibre composite equipment for superyachts, aerospace, and motorsport sectors. Its core product portfolio includes swim ladders, boarding stairs, dock steps, pilot ladders, swim stairs, tender fenders, telescoping light masts, hydraulic tender booms, and custom carbon fibre solutions. Products are made using pre-preg carbon fibre and autoclave curing, with titanium and 316 stainless steel hardware, and are fitted to some of the world's largest superyachts (60% of largest yachts launched in the past decade) and supplied to airlines including Air New Zealand and Virgin Atlantic.

Product overview

C-Quip is a premium carbon fibre composite equipment manufacturer serving the superyacht (marine), aerospace, and motorsport sectors. Its core product portfolio consists of nine distinct product lines: Swim Ladder (carbon fibre ladder with teak treads for swim platforms/pools), Boarding Stairs (self-levelling tide-adaptive stairs for dock boarding), Dock Steps (portable non-slip steps for bridging dock-to-yacht gaps), Pilot Ladders (Lloyds Register Type Approved SOLAS/ISO 799-compliant pilot and embarkation ladders), Swim Stairs (hydraulic push-button self-deploying stairs housed within swim platforms), Tender Fenders (inflatable hyperlon-tube fender system protecting yachts and tenders up to 10 tonnes), Light Mast (unstayed telescoping navigation light mast extending to 10m), Tender Boom (hydraulic telescoping tender mooring pole securing tenders up to 10 tonnes), and Custom Products (bespoke carbon fibre solutions modifying existing products or creating entirely new equipment). All products are manufactured using pre-preg carbon fibre, autoclave curing, titanium and 316 stainless steel hardware, and sustainable teak. Products serve motor and sailing superyachts from 40 metres to the world's largest superyachts, with global sales and service coverage in Europe, America, and Australasia. The company merged its sister company Advanced Aerospace (15+ years of aeronautical carbon fibre experience) into the C-Quip master brand to add aerospace capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Swim Ladder Carbon fibre swim ladder with titanium fittings, ergonomic oval handles, non-slip teak treads, and a hollow frame that floats. Available in 400mm, 550mm, 650mm, 700mm, and 950mm widths, in clear coat carbon or painted to match the vessel. Can be split in two for storage. Designed for superyacht swim platforms and onboard pools.
• Boarding Stairs Self-levelling carbon fibre boarding stairs that automatically adjust with the tide for safe dock boarding at any water level. Features a one-piece monocoque carbon fibre design with non-slip teak treads and removable secure handrails. Long models split into two parts for varying dock heights. Folds flat for storage with no pinch points. Available in clear coat or vessel-matched colour.
• Dock Steps Sturdy carbon fibre dock steps with non-slip teak treads, removable stainless steel handrails, and a lower stand for bridging gaps between docks, boarding platforms, stairs, and passerelles. Height and width are customisable. Flat-pack into an optional protective storage bag. Features rubber feet for non-slip and silent operation and dual handrail option.
• Pilot Ladders Revolutionary carbon fibre pilot and embarkation ladder complying with SOLAS and ISO 799 requirements, certified to Lloyds Register Type Approval. Features horizontal spreaders and offset struts to counteract rub rails. Lightweight carbon fibre rungs with non-slip finish stack compactly for storage. Steps weigh less than 0.6kg each. Optional stiffener struts, storage trolley, and bump pads available.
• Swim Stairs Hydraulic self-deploying swim stairs housed within the swim platform. Push-button deployment lowers wide non-slip teak steps at a 20-degree incline into the water, with self-deploying handrails. Watertight housing with built-in fresh water wash-down system. Carbon fibre frame for lightweight durability. Retracts neatly into the swim platform when not in use.
• Tender Fenders Inflatable tender fenders with unique inflatable hyperlon tubes for protecting yachts and tenders from docking damage. Carbon fibre monocoque construction maximises rigidity and minimises weight. Protects vessels up to 10 tonnes. Features ergonomic hand holds. Inflatable tube cushions loads and deflates for compact storage. Customised to suit transom profile. Neoprene covers can be customised with vessel name. Includes carbon fibre storage bracket. 316 stainless steel or titanium fittings.
• Light Mast Telescoping two- and three-stage light mast for yachts 50 metres and longer. Push-button deployment extends to a height of up to 10 metres. Unstayed fully retractable design integrates signal and anchor lights for compliant navigation. Flush to deck when retracted, compatible with heli-deck configurations. Computer-controlled hydraulic system. Compatible with Lopolight and Aqua Signal lighting. Options include deck flood lights and Panama light.
• Tender Boom Hydraulic telescoping tender boom (tender pole) that extends several metres from the hull to provide two mooring points for managing multiple tenders, helping avoid collisions. Push-button deployment in approximately 60 seconds via double-cylinder hydraulic system with programmable logic controller. Flush mounts with hull when retracted. Carbon fibre construction with high strength-to-weight ratio secures tenders up to 10 tonnes. Integrated wash-down system and watertight 316 stainless steel housing. Options include remote control.
• Custom Products Bespoke carbon fibre equipment solutions for superyachts, modifying existing C-Quip products or creating entirely new equipment to client specifications. Portfolio of custom projects includes bespoke carbon steering wheels, carbon biminis, custom carbon boarding equipment, carbon boat hooks, custom tender management solutions, tender fender lights, carbon cranes, and davits.
• Aerospace Components Manufacturing Custom design and manufacture of carbon fibre aerospace components including airframes, pilot seats, pylons, internal structures, and business-class tray tables for airlines. Includes spare parts and composite repairs. Supplied under AS9100 accreditation to airlines (Air New Zealand, Virgin Atlantic) and EVTOL developers (Kitty Hawk), with 19 prototype airframes delivered to Kitty Hawk from an initial 3-plane competitive tender.
• Motorsport Components Custom spare parts and composite repairs for motorsport applications including carbon fibre spoilers, bumpers, and bespoke bodywork. Serves Formula 1, America's Cup, and other motorsport teams requiring high-performance components where precision and weight are critical.

Quantifiable outcome

• Five of top ten largest sailing yachts globally equipped with C-Quip products, including three of top five
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• GeetechminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership with Geetech during Monaco Yacht Show 2021 to share office space near the show venue at Rue Grimaldi. Joint 'Coffee, Croissants and Carbon' breakfast events hosted with Geetech.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rondal: Dutch superyacht carbon fibre equipment manufacturer (masts, booms, rig systems, hatches) supplying the same top-tier yacht builders as C-Quip. Direct competitor in the high-end marine outfitting space with comparable materials technology and customer overlap.
• Magma Structures: UK-based designer and manufacturer of carbon fibre masts, booms, and structural components for superyachts and high-performance marine applications. Closest direct peer in carbon fibre marine equipment, with similar autoclave/pre-preg manufacturing capability and superyacht customer base.
• Future Fibres: Specialist in synthetic and carbon fibre rigging, spars, and structural components for superyachts and high-performance sailing yachts. Directly comparable in materials and customer overlap with C-Quip's superyacht division.
• Southern Spars: South Africa/UK-based manufacturer of carbon fibre spars, rigging, and integrated rig packages for superyachts and grand-prix racing yachts. Competes with C-Quip for premium yacht outfitting contracts and shares America's Cup pedigree.

Regional players

• Composite Engineering (NZ): New Zealand-based composites manufacturer serving marine, motorsport, and industrial customers. Regional peer sharing C-Quip's domestic NZ talent pool and serving overlapping marine and motorsport customers.

Emerging players

• Hypersonic Yachts: Niche builder of high-performance motor yachts and patrol craft using advanced composite construction. Adjacent in materials technology and end market, though focused on vessel construction rather than outfitting equipment.
• Velocity Composites: UK-based aerospace composites manufacturer supplying engineered composite parts to OEMs. Comparable to C-Quip's aerospace division in scale, materials, and AS9100-grade operations but focused exclusively on aerospace.
• Triton Submarines: US-based manufacturer of deep-diving personal submersibles using advanced carbon fibre composite pressure hulls. Adjacent in materials technology and ultra-premium customer base, intersecting with C-Quip's superyacht clientele.

Broad incumbents

• Multimatic: Tier 1 supplier of advanced composites, engineered mechanisms, and suspension components to motorsport (F1, NASCAR, IndyCar) and aerospace OEMs. Much larger than C-Quip but operates in the same motorsport/aerospace composites space with broader programme coverage.
• GKN Aerospace: Global Tier 1 aerospace structures and composites supplier owned by Melrose Industries. Represents the scale ceiling and prime-contractor competition C-Quip's aerospace division would face in pursuing serial positions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHKHkcq3Khnhwargwi-PpkQ
• Instagraminstagram.com/c_quip
• Xx.com/CQuip4
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/c-quip

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about C-Quip