“We were always the bridesmaid,” Eric Fetchko, president of Dometic, tells MIN.
But things have moved on – the global outdoor-technology company’s recent spree of accolades includes two category wins at this year’s DAME Design Awards – the CSX Refrigeration System winning the Onboard Facilities, Comfort & Entertainment afloat category, and DG3 Gyrostabiliser taking home the glory for the Propulsion & Dynamics category. Dometic also received a special mention at the DAME Awards for its Sanitation Wall Holding Tank Series with VacuMAX Technology.
“We had five nominations for the DAME awards, and we got two category winners and one special mention. So that shows that our innovation is working,” says Fetchko, who was also recently honoured with the 2025 Eddie Smith Manufacturer of the Year Award.
He says that Dometic has always worked in three main categories: ride and handling, the boat’s living, and the digital boat – and that the company continues to innovate in all areas.
“The biggest innovation was a category winner, the gyro,” Fetchko says. He argues that it’s the premier product on the market. “There’s so much innovation in there,” he says before noting that the CSX allows boat builders and people to turn regular coolers or boxes into freezers and into ice boxes and ice chests.
Aside from the DAME Award-winning DG3 Gyrostabiliser and CSX Series “Coldmachine” refrigeration system, other innovations on Dometic’s Metstrade stand this year include two systems designed to support increasingly compact and electrically driven vessel layouts.
The Optimus Compact Helm is a front-dash, space-saving unit that integrates the helm and tilt mechanism to reduce installation time while maintaining the established performance of the Optimus EPS platform.
The GVTX 48V battery-powered HVAC system is a modular, direct-48V air-conditioning solution built on the TX platform with variable-capacity operation, an integrated battery monitoring system, and capacities from 10,000 to 18,000 BTU/h.
Speaking to MIN earlier this month, Fetchko explained that: “Smart technology remains a key focus for Dometic as we develop intelligent, connected solutions that enhance efficiency and control for boaters.”
Of the “downturn in the marine industry”, Fetchko says it’s “something we all have to live with. We’re making fewer boats, we’re doing lots of things, but we’re still investing”.
He cites new products on the ticket for 2026, and the firm’s new facility in Italy for customer distribution. He calls that a “good story” because, although “we were shutting down a factory, we repurposed it and we kept all the people”.
The post Interview: Dometic president Eric Fetchko on the company’s rising profile following double DAME wins appeared first on Marine Industry News.
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