Future Fibres had a pleasure of announcing yesterday that the company has predicted to achieve a yearly growth of 30% in 2012, and pointed our Future Fibres’ positive outlook for 2013, with important race projects and a €30 million stronger order book.
Future Fibres
Following what’s been described as ‘better-than-expected opportunities in the superyacht and race markets’, the Valencia based composite mast and rigging specialist revealed 2012 sales would, for the first time, exceed €15 million.
Commenting on the announcement, Future Fibres’ director, Phil Anniss, added: “In what remains a challenging environment, we are delivering double digital growth across our mast and rigging divisions, as well as significant developments in our special projects team. The mast division, which is just two years old, has been the biggest winner, with an increasing number of owners and yards choosing complete packages with us – demonstrating the speed by which we have become a preferred supplier at the very top end of the market.”
Perini Navi sailing yacht Hull C.2193
Helping to reinforce its position as a key player in the mast industry, 2012 saw Future Fibres chosen by one of the world’s most respected superyacht yards, Perini Navi, to supply a complete carbon mast, boom and rigging package for its latest 60m sloop. Work is well underway on the first of three 30m furling booms, which will be the largest ever constructed. This follows the completion of a complete set of Future Fibres’ TSC carbon rigging, which is due for delivery in the new year and destined for Perini’s 60m ketch, currently named sailing yacht C.2193.
“It’s great to see Future Fibres in such a strong financial position and working with the very top tier yards. The strength and quality of our order book, has enabled us to initiate a search for larger premises and an extensive recruitment drive, as we look to significantly expand the existing workforce over a three-year period. All in all, it is going to be an exciting few years!” Anniss concluded.
Future Fibres is currently looking to attract a number of key roles to the business in Valencia and is also exploring additional manufacturing sites as it looks to manage its capacity over the longer term, as Jim Lotz, Future Fibres’ sales director explains:
“Our strategy for the last three years has been about retaining the R&D crown. We created the composite rigging industry 15 years ago so we feel we have a responsibility, and a desire, to continue to push the market in the right direction by pioneering the latest materials and construction techniques. That investment is now paying off dividends. Our latest carbon products have been proven in the toughest conditions – which provides us with the detailed technical information buyers need and want. As a result, we are increasingly seeing buyers carefully assess all the available systems and making an informed choice to go with Future Fibres.”
Lotz continued: “We saw this in action recently when we won the contract to provide a complete mast, boom and rigging package for the mini maxi, Caol ila R. Her new owner wanted an out-and-out race boat that’s able to compete at the highest levels and against the very latest yachts. Having the optimum rig package goes a long way to making that possible and we are delighted he, like all our customers, feel that we are the right team, offering the best solution.”
John Hilderbrand of Darkhorse Yachting, representing Caol ila R’s owner, highlighted the reason for choosing Future Fibres adding: “Working with the Future Fibres guys is just easy. They all know their stuff, the design team is made up of some of the world’s best people and I have complete confidence in the product so it is not a tricky decision.”
