Luhrs Marine closing Portland factory

[Dipper]

According to my local paper, Luhrs Marine are closing the Portland factory where they make the Legends. Luhrs are saying a downturn in the US market for their boats (sold as Hunters in the US) has affected their business. They are having trouble competing with the major French and German manufacturers.

 

[Birdseye]

Wouldnt surprise me. I've yet to see a complimentry test report on a Legend, and the resale value is the pits according to surveyors I've spoken to. Pity, since they did bilge keelers.

 

[boatbuilder]

I suspect that the grant money and the rates holiday has come to an end. You will probably find their new factory in Poland , or china.

 

[Birdseye]

Quite possible - but the UK venture can hardly be seen as a success I would have thought.

 

[jonjo]

[ QUOTE ]
Quite possible - but the UK venture can hardly be seen as a success I would have thought.

[/ QUOTE ]
Why? With the muscle of Opal on the sales side I got the impression new sales were healthy in the UK.

Could this be connected with the value of the factory plot now we are beginning to see plans for the Olympic sailing venue at Portland?

 

[Sans Bateau]

I have heard a rumour that Baveria sales (Opal) are also well down, anyone know any more?

 

[iridiumworld]

Rather a sweeping statement from "Birdseye" regarding Legend test reports. As with all brands there are critisisms but also positives -perhaps you should read the Sailing Today Legend 41 review from earlier this year.

As a surveyor I can tell you that the resale value and depreciation on a new Legend is pretty much in line with other production boats in the same price bracket. Anyway it doesn't need a surveyor to confirm this, just read the brokerage ads and draw your own year / size comparisons!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Make of it what you will...

...seems like a well known brand of Swiss movie cameras to me.

"Monday, 11 December 2006


Luhrs Marine Limited, a subsidiary of Hunter Marine Corporation, America’s largest sailing yacht producer, began manufacturing operations in the United Kingdom in early 2001 as a significant investment to gain market share and credibility in the European region. Hunter products are marketed under the Legend brand name in the UK and Hunter throughout the rest of the world. Peters Opal is the main distributor for Legend yachts in the UK and Hunter Yachts in Spain.

In most aspects, the UK investment was a success, and the Hunter brand has continued to experience growth and increased market share in the world’s largest sailing yacht market, with active distributors in 25 European countries. The work ethic and efficiency of the local UK labour force has been excellent, and has allowed Luhrs Marine Limited to build over 600 mid-range yachts from this facility to date.

The decision has now been made to consolidate manufacturing to the main US factory in order to gain greater efficiencies from the additional volume of European sales and to help offset the softening being experienced in some of the global markets Hunter serves; including the US boating market. At the same time, Hunter Marine is accelerating its new product development program with a strong view towards European customer tastes to ensure continued acceptance in this significant region.

Further, Luhrs Marine will retain a sales support, plus customer service and parts premises in the UK, which will keep Hunter close to their customers and allow them to serve the growing European distributor base in an effective manner.

Hunter has recently introduced its new 50’ flagship yacht, which will be making its UK Debut at the London Boat Show. At the smaller end of the range, Hunter also introduced its new Legend 27x performance boat at the recent Southampton Boat Show with strong sales results this will also be exhibited at the London Boat Show."

 

[alldownwind]

Re: Make of it what you will...

I'm no financial whizzo but I would think that the strength of the pound / weakness of the dollar had a lot to do with it.

 

[Guest]

Re: Make of it what you will...

[ QUOTE ]
I'm no financial whizzo but I would think that the strength of the pound / weakness of the dollar had a lot to do with it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly .....

 

[flaming]

Used to have a 336, which actually sailed quite well and was a good family cruiser.
However when we replaced the boat we didn't consider another Legend. That arch ruined them IMHO.

Resale value wasn't too bad though!