Shadow Business Minister, John Denham MP, paid a fact-finding visit to bespoke yacht builder, Discovery Yachts, yesterday at their Marchwood base to find out more behind the success of this manufacturer of luxury blue-water cruising yachts.
Discovery Yachts 55 sailing yacht
The Shadow Minister met with Discovery Yachts Managing Director, Nigel Stuart to learn about the success and scale of the yacht manufacturing operation of this Hampshire Company. John Denham MP was particularly impressed with the company’s recent investment in new manufacturing halls, a bespoke joinery workshop and high tech equipment which means that Discovery Yachts can offer the very highest quality workmanship to their prospective owners.
The Shadow Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills was extremely interested to meet with a number of young apprentices employed by Discovery Yachts to ensure that technical craft skills are retained within the UK marine industry.
Commenting on his visit, John Denham MP said “As Shadow Business Secretary, I am very keen to see UK manufacturing success stories and I have seen first-hand how British boat builders and their supply chain have a reputation for good design, innovation and quality.”
Responding, Nigel Stuart, Managing Director of Discovery Yachts noted, “It is reassuring that our local MP, John Denham, showed a keen interest in assisting local business particularly in these difficult economic times, his interest in our expanding number of apprentices and the skills we have here at Discovery Yachts was encouraging.”
Discovery Yachts will be exhibiting the Discovery 55 and Discovery Cat 50 at the forthcoming PSP Southampton Boat Show from 16th -25th September 2011 on berths M246/M248. In addition the company will be announcing the launch of a new Discovery 57 blue-water cruising yacht for 2012.
Discovery Yachts was started in 1998 by John Charnley. The business was founded on the desire to create a world cruising yacht designed specifically for those wishing to enjoy extended bluewater cruising without the need for a crew.
Discovery Yachts
The result was the hugely successful Discovery 55 which was awarded the coveted Boat of the Year Award in 2004. The Discovery family has now been extended to encompass the larger, but equally stylish Discovery 67, the award winning Discovery 50 Catamaran, and now the Discovery 57. Discovery Yachts currently employs over 100 people at its modern manufacturing site in Marchwood, Hampshire where it builds its award winning range of Blue Water yachts.
