Managing Director’s report
I am pleased to announce yet another record-breaking year for Sunseeker International. The company’s financial year 2008/2009 has provided a turnover of £303million, an increase of 3.4% on the previous year’s best ever result. The Board consider this growth as very impressive, even before factoring in the impact of the extremely difficult trading conditions experienced throughout the industry, caused by the global economic downturn.
We maintain our status as the UK’s largest production boat builder and continue with our planned investment programme, allowing us to introduce new models, expand production facilities and enhance the level of expertise required for the development of today’s Superyachts. Further investment has been made at Sunseeker's Osprey Quay facilities at Portland, Dorset. A new 320 tonne travel hoist has been acquired, for launching and lifting of the current yacht range, and in preparation for the even larger Superyachts planned for the future. This has been complemented by the construction of a brand new deep-water dock. Currently many of the models over 100 feet are built at Osprey Quay, prior to being taken to Poole for final fit-out and commissioning.
The past twelve months has seen sales increase in larger models as orders for the 37 Metre Yacht and 34 Metre Yacht continue to grow and the launch of the new 30 Metre Yacht at the London Boat Show in January generated huge interest, and firm orders. Also launched at the show were the 74 Predator Sport and 64 Predator Sport both designed to meet the needs of performance orientated customers. In January, we announced our intention to build even larger series-custom yachts under the title ‘Zeus’. The range will commence with the launch of the Zeus 150 Yacht – a further development of the 46 Metre Yacht, and this has already attracted a high degree of interest. This new concept in large yacht bespoke development will enable the client to individualise and specify their yacht to their own needs and level of use.
This year will see other new models introduced to the market. At Southampton in September the largest boat to be built by Sunseeker will be introduced – the Predator 130 - an impressive example of Sunseeker’s ability to design and build a Superyacht that will stun the market. Also being launched is the new 80 Yacht, a development of the highly successful 86 Yacht - the new 88 Yacht, and two new Predators - the 54 and 60.
Every effort has been made to maintain Sunseeker’s position as a leading global brand. This year saw a Sunseeker 34 Metre Yacht carry the Royal Standard as it transported Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip from the Royal Sailing Academy in Portland Harbour to Weymouth Quay during a Royal visit. On another occasion a 40-year-old 17 foot Sunseeker driven by two octogenarians re-enacted a trip from London to Calais and back. These and many others received a high degree of media attention, again enhancing Sunseeker’s reputation as a premium brand.
None of this would be possible without the key ingredients of success - loyal and supportive customers, a hard working and skilled workforce, a dedicated worldwide network of distributors, and the support of our suppliers.
As we weather this storm of global uncertainty Sunseeker will endeavour to build on its firm foundation as one of the world’s most sought after products. I am confident that with continued effort orders will be secured, new designs and developments will attract further interest and Sunseeker will remain the first choice in an ever increasingly competitive market.
Robert Braithwaite CBE
September 2009
