Fairline Yachts swells workforce by 12.5%

Fairline Yachts is swelling its workforce by 12.5% to 250 following successful outings at Southampton and Cannes boat shows

Fairline Yachts is swelling its workforce by 12.5% to 250 following successful outings at Southampton and Cannes boat shows.

The British firm, rising from the ashes of Fairline Boats that went into administration last year with the loss of 380 jobs, is recruiting engineers, carpenters and fitters.

Begun in 1963 by Jack Newington, the manufacturer of luxury motor yachts was bought out of administration by a pair of Russian businessmen, Alexander Volov and Igor Glyanenko, in 2016 for about £4.5m in a deal to keep production in the UK.

New recruits will work at Fairline’s Oundle base in Northamptonshire to fulfil the company’s growing order book for 2017 and into the fuutre.

They’ll support the introduction of new models including the brand new Targa 63 GTO, launching next summer, and the Squadron 53

“This is an exciting time for Fairline Yachts,” said Managing Director Russell Currie.

“Hot on the heels of two very successful international boat shows where customer deposits were received for boats from across our range, we’re now preparing to exhibit at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Florida next month.

“Our forward order book for next year and beyond is looking very robust. This success is thanks to outstanding product designs, a skilled workforce and a committed global dealer network,” he said.

“We’re delivering on our promise to build boats that customers want to own and dealers want to sell, and I’m pleased to say that we have reached the point where we now need to grow our team further so that we can continue to do so.”

The Targa 63 GTO is a source of great pride to the company as a joint effort between designer Alberto Mancini, Dutch architects Vripack and Fairline. “It combines Italian style with Dutch engineering and British craftsmanship,’ said Mr Currie.