PROPOSED move to the South Coast by an American boatbuilder, brings a new class of superyacht to Southampton Water.
The US company Palmer Johnson plans to build a range of multi-million pound, bespoke, super yachts up to 100 metres at two bases on Southampton Water. It proposes to construct a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on SEEDA’s sites at Woolston and open a new manufacturing facility at Hythe. These will be the largest leisure craft in production in the UK
The move to Hythe and Woolston has been brokered by SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency, which has clinched the investment in the Solent against fierce international competition.
First indications are that 800 skilled jobs will be created by the company which began as a builder of wooden fishing boats for the Great Lakes in 1918.
Within 10 years it had developed its first wooden yachts and is now an established builder of highly styled, aluminium super yachts.
"Attracting a large, successful international marine company like Palmer Johnson to the Solent was part of SEEDA’s strategy with partners to secure continued future economic growth for this important sub region. Palmer Johnson is a strong global brand and we are pleased to welcome them to one of Europe’s key centre’s for marine,” said Jim Brathwaite, SEEDA chairman.
The decision to expand in the Solent follows the setting up of a design office at East Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, last year. The new facility at Woolston Riverside will open in 2009, but in the meantime, Palmer Johnson will build prototype vessels at Hythe Marine Park.
"The new production facilities are integral to our overall growth strategy. Our UK expansion allows us to meet the global demand for our products. We are also keen to tap into the marine base of the region in terms of working with local suppliers and sub-contractors,”
said Roland Staub, director Palmer Johnson
