Glovertown, NL – CBC News showcased the stories of two Newfoundland and Labrador boat building companies this week, demonstrating the enduring spirit of craftsmanship and adaptation in the province’s marine industry.

Fabtech Industries: From Welding to 'Silver Dolphins'

Fabtech Industries, founded in 1979 by Byron Collins, began as a welding company serving the fish processing industry. Collins, initially a welder in Labrador, transitioned the business to aluminum boat construction in the early 1990s following the cod fishery collapse. According to the CBC broadcast, the company now produces approximately 120 aluminum boats annually, nicknamed 'Silver Dolphins,' serving both commercial and recreational buyers.

Fabtech boats are now used extensively throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s North, and even in remote regions like Baffin Island, where they are utilized for traditional hunts. Michael Paul, a former welder from Alberta and Nunavut, now works at Fabtech, citing the improved work-life balance as a key benefit.

“It means everything to be able to go home, see my wife, kids, family every night,” Paul stated during the broadcast.

The business is now run by Byron Collins’ son, Jason, though Byron remains actively involved.

Green Bay Fibre Products: A Legacy of Fiberglass

Green Bay Fibre Products, a fiberglass boat builder in Kings Point, has been operating since the early 1980s. Brad Burt, the current owner, began working at the company at age 11. The company faced hardship following the 1992 Cod Moratorium but persevered.

According to Burt, the company currently employs five workers from the Philippines, contributing to both the business and the local community. Green Bay Fibre Products continues to utilize traditional fiberglass boat building techniques, producing approximately two boats every two weeks. The broadcast highlighted the increasing demand for boats in Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, as residents explore recreational opportunities closer to home.