Record Sales at Sunseeker London

Record sales at Sunseeker London

By IBI Magazine


UK yacht broker Sunseeker London has announced record sales of £8m in the past 10 days for six motoryachts, including three that were valued above £2m each. Clients who purchased the boats are said to come from a "diverse geographical area" that includes the UK, the South of France, Nigeria, Sweden and Greece.

"Contrary to the trend, we have advanced sales in the UK and in our other international dealerships located in Europe," says Sunseeker sales director Christopher Head. "Our substantial order book includes a number of the largest Sunseekers produced and includes vessels form 30m-37m which are being built to order at the Sunseeker shipyards in Poole, Dorset.

"These craft, together with advanced orders, will be handed over in 2009 and 2010. Other larger vessels in construction will be delivered in 2011 and 2012. As a result, Sunseeker London's total sales for the full financial year are expected to be "substantially above" £60m, claims the company.

Sunseeker London is the official distributor for new and pre-owned Sunseeker boats and motoryachts. In January 2009, UK boatbuilder Sunseeker International will launch three new models at the London International Boat Show at ExCel.

(19 December 2008)

• European Marine Services Ltd, for Marine Surveys - All Types, Valuations, Project Management, Expert Witness, Dispute & Mediation Services
• http://www.europeanmarinesurveys.com/

Dehler Yachts of Germany in Administration

Dehler goes under

By Practical Boat Owner

Dehler Yachts, Germany's third-largest boatbuilder, went into administration today.

A recent bank guarantee by the government of the state of North Rhine-Westfalia did not succeed in preventing the company from going under.

Workers at the factory, located in Meschede-Freienohl (Sauerland, Germany), were informed of the situation today by CEO Wilan van den Berg. Dehler has been building sailing yachts, popular with British boat owners, for more than 40 years.

UPDATE

'Unfair' banks pulled rug on Dehler

By IBI Magazine/Yachting Monthly

Dehler Yachts went into administration on Tuesday, with orders for 200 boats, a slimmed down production line and a beefed up workforce, because the banks demanded their cash back."It's really unfair, but we hope there will be a future," Udo Erbe, head of the company's research and development department, told IBI's sister publication Yachting Monthly.

"There are new people who want to invest and we plan to make a comeback for Dehler Yachts, the yard and the dealerships. There is a chance to survive this."Dehler Yachts is planning to have boats on display at the London Boat Show at ExCel in January.

"It's really a pity that the banks wanted to jump out of the project because we are now ready with the boat and the designs.

"Udo admitted that the company was a victim of its own success. Its growth over the last four years had seen the company overstretch itself. Dehler in 2005 had 90 employees and 100 boats to build. By 2008 it had 230 employees, but although the company had 200 boats to build the yard was not ready to handle the increase. But in recent weeks Dehler had made the production system more efficient. Alas, not in time to survive the credit crunch paranoia.

(18 December 2008)

Credit Crunch hits Fairline

Fairline axes 275 jobs

By IBI Magazine


A second wave of job cuts has been announced at UK boatbuilder Fairline. In a statement issued today, the company revealed that it will cut 275 jobs at its Oundle and Corby facilities in Northamptonshire in March 2009, affecting around one-quarter of its remaining workforce.

In September, the company announced 90 redundancies in Oundle and Weldon and subsequently put workers on a shorter working week with reduced wages.

The latest announcement will reduce the current workforce to 1,000, although full-time working will be restored on all production lines as of January 2009. Derek Carter, CEO of Fairline, comments:

"Whilst the timing of the announcement of these redundancies is deeply regrettable, we have commenced discussions with Union representatives to identify the redundant positions that will take effect in March. We will do all we can to minimise the anxiety of affected employees." With regard to 2009, Carter adds:

"The downturn in the market will pass and, as previously stated, we anticipate that towards the end of 2009, increased levels of activity are likely to materialise as the market begins to recover and as we bring new models in development to market. Fairline will be attending the London International Boat Show in January 2009, at which we will be displaying the new Squadron 70. In addition, a new Squadron 65 is scheduled for launch in May 2009 and a Targa 58 for launch in November 2009. We anticipate securing further good orders in addition to the 30 boats sold at the recent Southampton show for existing and new models, which will safeguard the remaining 1,000 employees.

"Headquartered in Oundle, Northamptonshire, Fairline builds the Targa, Phantom and Squadron range of motoryachts from 10.4m-22.6m (34ft-74ft) in length. The group has more than 60 dealer locations worldwide, as well as a US subsidiary in Ft Lauderdale, Florida.

(15 December 2008)

• European Marine Services Ltd for Marine Surveys - All Types, Valuations, Project Management, Expert Witness & Mediation Services.
• http://www.europeanmarinesurveys.com/

Sealine significantly scale back production fro 2009

Sealine to scale back production

By IBI Magazine



The UK's Sealine International today revealed plans to significantly scale back production in light of the current economic downturn, resulting in the loss of around 297 staff — almost half of its entire workforce.

Beginning in early 2009, the company will streamline its overall manufacturing footprint from its three sites at Kidderminster, Hartlebury and Burntwood, into one consolidated facility at Sealine's main site in Kidderminster, near Birmingham.

"It is with great regret that we are planning these changes, but they are necessary given the current leisure marine market conditions and economic environment," says Sealine managing director Steve Coultate.

"We need to take action to protect the long-term prospects of both our company and our international dealer network. "

The actions we are taking will leave us well positioned to respond to a market upturn, when it comes. We will seek to minimise the number of compulsory redundancies by inviting applications for voluntary redundancies and for all of those employees affected we will be providing a full consultation and counselling programme.

"Founded by Tom Murrant in 1972, Sealine offers a wide range of sports cruisers, flybridge cruisers and motoryachts from 8m-18m (25ft-60ft) in length. The company produces more than 300 yachts per year and employs some 659 staff.

(10 October 2008)

• European Marine Services Ltd, for Marine Surveys - All Types, Valuations, Project Management, Expert Witness & Mediation.
• http://www.europeanmarinesurveys.com/

Princess Yachts International - Reduce Employee Hours

Princess to introduce shorter working week

By IBI Magazine

Princess Yachts International, one of the UK's largest boatbuilders, is to reduce employee working hours at its yard in Plymouth, Devon. The changes will take effect from January 5, 2009 across a large number of departments. Earlier this week, employees voted to support the plans.

According to a statement issued today, the move will enable the yard to increase production of larger vessels — which are not thought to be as affected by the current economic crisis as the smaller boat market — and allow a significant increase to the number of people working on new products to bring forward launch plans.

"We take our responsibility as one of the area's main employers very seriously and we hope that by adjusting production in this way we will be able to cope with a softening market without the need to reduce the team," says Chris Gates, managing director at Princess Yachts. "Also, stimulating the market with new and exciting products is especially important in these conditions and so increasing focus on these is essential and will help us to react quickly once the market improves.

"It is of course impossible to predict how long this market condition will continue for," says Gates, "or indeed whether it will worsen before improving again but we are optimistic that these measures will help protect our position during this difficult period."

(5 December 2008)

• European Marine Services for Marine Surveys - All Types, Valuations, Project Management, Expert Witness & Mediation http://www.europeanmarinesurveys.com/

London - Dec 2008 Earls Court Boat Show

Visitor numbers up at Earls Court Boat Show

By IBI Magazine/Yachting Monthly

Visitors to the 2nd Sail, Power & Watersports Show did not come up to the 50,000 hoped for, but they were still higher than last year's show, organisers reveal.Visitor numbers were up 18 per cent over last year, coming in at 41,300.

"Buyers are using cash and it's not 'borrowed' money as the banks aren't lending," said the show's managing director James Brooke.

"This is a great achievement for everyone and the show is a shining example of a success story in a really tough economic climate. Many millions of pounds worth of business has been done over five days under one roof and the show has provided a successful trading platform for its exhibitors — you couldn't ask for better than that right now," he added.

There is a long-term relationship in place with show venue Earls Court and the terms have been agreed for 2009 with the show dates being announced as November 25-29, 2009.

(1 December 2008)

• European Marine Services Ltd for Marine Surveys-All Types, Project Management, Expert Witness & Mediation www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Legal Advice to the Marine Sector

New legal firm launches in UK

By IBI Magazine

A new company that provides legal advice to clients in the global marine and sports sectors has been formed in Britain. Dorade Law, which is based in Dartmouth, Devon, was founded by marine law experts Nick Horton and Neil Northmore, both of whom have substantial experience of working with some of the industry's top names.

Horton has been involved in the drafting and development of many of the UK's most widely used marine industry contracts for many years and the firm acts for renowned yacht businesses including the UK's Pendennis Shipyard, Turkish yacht builder Sunrise Yachts and the British Marine Federation (BMF). Prior to forming Dorade, he headed the marine department for a leading UK law firm.

Northmore is a specialist in the law relating to the marine industry and the business and regulation of the sports sector. After qualifying in the marine team of a top-100 law firm he went on to become the in-house solicitor and Government Affairs Advisor for the Royal Yachting Association.

"Between us Nick and I are well versed in dispute management and contract formulation," says Northmore. "We can provide advice and support with new build, refit and sale/purchase contracts, registration, finance, regulation and employment issues. Like the superyacht industry itself, we are inventive and excel at lateral solutions and attention to detail."For more information, visit the company website at http://www.dorade.co.uk/.

(26 November 2008)

London Boat Show January 2009

NBS issues statement on London boat show

By IBI Magazine

In response to "rumours" it claims that are circulating the industry, organisers of the London Boat Show, National Boat Shows have issued a statement providing a full update on the event scheduled to take place in January. In an open letter to the industry, NBS managing director Andrew Williams states:

"I have heard some rumours that there are 'big discounts' available and that the Show will only be 'half the size of last year's Show'. I shall be very clear on this - this is not the case at ExCeL. NBS operates a very fair, clear and well communicated pricing policy; discounts are only available to fully paid BMF members and are based on the number of consecutive years a company exhibits with us at London. There are no other 'deals or discounts' available. The Show is owned by the industry and NBS is mandated to deliver a fair and ethical policy for all - this cannot and therefore will not be deviated from…

He adds:

"I have been asked if the three large British power boat builders are exhibiting with us at London. The answer quite simply is yes. Both Princess and Sunseeker will both have by far their biggest presence ever at London - both in the halls and outside on the marina… Fairline is taking the same size stand as in 2008, as well as supporting the Main Stage - Powered by Fairline. It has been well reported that Sealine, for its own business reasons, is not attending which is disappointing for themselves, NBS, exhibitors and visitors; however, I can confirm that the space was taken very swiftly by Jeanneau which has expanded and will be exhibiting its extensive range of large and medium size power boats…

"This economic situation has meant that a handful of exhibitors in large or small power are either now unable to attend the 09 Show or have been forced to trim their space… As a result, we will be partitioning off a small section of space at the west end of the South Hall to ensure it retains the impressive look it is renowned for. This equates to just under 4% of the total space that we use at ExCeL, from 78,000sqm down to 75,000sqm. Importantly, this change will not be visible to anyone attending the Show. The main entrance door into the South Hall, S1, will still be open - in fact we are opening extra doors in from the boulevard to improve the flow.

Williams concludes:

"I believe that, with the current economic position, this is a positive result and also the right thing to do to ensure the visitor experience a vibrant, elegant and fun Show."

(25 November 2008)

• European Marine Services Ltd for Marine Surveys - All Types, Project Management, Expert Witness Mediation www.europeanmarinesurveys.com