He learnt how to make ship models as soon as he could walk. Michael Boldrini, 25 year-old, spent his whole childhood in his parents’ workshop, watching workers delicately creating model ships. However, he never thought he would earn a living as his parents did. Never say never! Michael is now the manager of First Fleet Reproductions Ltd, a company known for its high quality products and service.

“When my parents sold their workshop, I was still at school and never wanted to start such a business myself. But customers came to see us because they could not find what they wanted elsewhere and had always been satisfied with our products. This is how all this started.” Since then, Michael has developed a real passion for his job.

“I believe nobody could do this job if he/she was not fascinated by ships.” Michael is not a traditional manager: he is more often in the workshop doing manual work than dealing with administrative jobs that managers usually do. His fascination takes him to extremes that the administrative executive, Béatrice, does not always understand. “He is such a perfectionist. There is always room for improvement.” This must be the secret of the high degree of professionalism in his company.

First Fleet Reproductions Ltd is also a member of the Tourism Activity Professionals Association which, according to the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority manager, Karl Mootoosamy, “is an organisation gathering competent professionals as far as tourism is concerned. Since 1999, this label gives a guarantee of quality to tourists while certifying a constant search for security and protection of the environment.” Quality is the keyword for First Fleet Reproductions: “It distinguishes itself with its quality, service and welcome. Most of our customers are tourists.”

A range of products and prices

Of course, Mauritius does not welcome only high-class tourists and it is important to satisfy everyone. This explains the three categories of products: standard, classic and prestige and prices range from Rs 300 to Rs 100,000.

This aims at as many people as possible. Because there are various categories of customers: experts who collect models and amateurs who just want to take back a souvenir from Mauritius.

Most customers, just like the staff, are fascinated by history. “This leads to a constant exchange between us. They learn from us as much as we do from them. And this makes the job even more interesting.” Then, some people just buy ship models because they like having something beautiful to look at, which pleases Michael: “I like producing authentic models. This is why I do this job.”

But what attracts most customers and incites them to buy these models is the work behind each one. This is why tourists are invited into the workshop, just beside the showroom. They can see the work being done with meticulous precision. Each craftsman is specialised in two or three manual tasks. All the ships are hand-made. As a result, a medium size ship takes about two months to make. “We live on details. We are not afraid to correct mistakes. If something is not done in the right way, we do it again until it becomes what it should be.”

First Fleet does not only manufacture ship models. The company is diversifying: they make decorative objects, miniatures and so on. At the end of the year, they also make corporate gifts. “I like doing different things. It is like a challenge every time customers ask me to do something new. Every time, we try to provide them with a personalised product and I suppose this is what they appreciate.”

Ship models are personalised for the customer who wants more than just a souvenir. This is why most models are made on order. “Generally customers want something very particular and we aim at adapting to any of their needs,” Michael clarifies.

People can buy models in the showroom but, most of the time, we use the models on display to show customers what we can do and they add their own specifications. “Once, a customer wanted a black and white ship so we made it with marble and ebony. We had to make a special machine to work with marble but it was so challenging. There are only two such ships in the whole world.”

Now that First Fleet has made its reputation, it intends to diversify even more. People will not only come to buy. It will also be an opportunity for tourists - and Mauritians - to learn more about the history of Mauritius.