An expanding Cornish boat-builder has bought a shipyard so it can meet increased demand for larger vessels – and create 50 jobs.
Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding Ltd has purchased the freehold of South West Shipyard at Ponsharden, between Falmouth and Penryn.
The firm said it will enable it to meet “unprecedented” demand for its award-winning Duchy Motor Launches and Hardy motor yachts.
The shipyard comprises two large sheds that equate to 25,000sq ft of undercover space, which have been managed as two separate entities until now. This acquisition, which will unite these sheds, its quay and slipway, has been 100% funded by Cockwells and its shareholders.
The company intends to maximise its boat-lifting facilities and provide slipway and boatyard services for fishermen and other small commercial craft. A dedicated training bay for its growing number of apprentices is also part of the plan.
The site will undergo full refurbishment within the next 12 months to provide an “attractive and energy-efficient” working environment. It is anticipated that this expansion will create at least another 50 highly-skilled jobs across all the trades. Cockwells has invited existing marine sector tenants to renegotiate their leases at the Ponsharden site.
“We are proud to create a fantastic new resource for marine manufacturing, adjacent to the Penryn River, which will provide more highly-skilled jobs for local people,” said Cockwells’ founder and managing director Dave Cockwell.
“With the expansion of our Duchy Motor Launches to include 45ft and 60ft models; our recent acquisition of the Hardy brand of motor yachts that range from 32ft to 65ft, and a very strong forward order book, we need more space than our purpose-built HQ at the Mylor Creek Boatyard will allow. The South West Shipyard will provide us with additional capacity so that we can build more of these larger vessels.”
He added: “2020 was an extraordinary year of growth for us and our most successful to date in spite of the global pandemic. We have already employed 50 additional members of staff and lockdown has stimulated demand like never before as people dream of the freedom that comes with owning a boat.
“Whilst we continue to rent the nearby Vospers’ site until it is sold for redevelopment, our purchase of the South West Shipyard provides us with the security to plan for the future.
“This is good news for us and good news for Falmouth and Penryn because we are creating well-paid jobs, sharing our skills with the next generation and safeguarding the local marine industry.”
Cockwells builds bespoke superyacht tenders, motor launches and sailing yachts in any material and is the creator of the Duchy Motor Launch brand – a prestigious semi-production launch with a range of 21ft to 60ft.
In 2020, the firm acquired the assets of Hardy Marine and will continue to build its world- class seafaring motor yachts to their original specifications as well to reimagined designs.
The Mylor Creek Boatyard is fully equipped to offer refits, restorations and engineering services for local yachts, and superyacht tenders from all over the world.
