Oyster on the up

[Scolly]

Seems that despite all the negative attitude towards Oyster they are re-building a great company with a great product

Luxury yacht firm recruits more than 100 people

Beats having an economy based on opening doors for each other

 

[pvb]

I think any negativity was towards the previous incarnation run by David Tydeman who, incidentally, moved on to Fairline but only lasted 18 months there.

 

[HissyFit]

Seems that despite all the negative attitude towards Oyster they are re-building a great company with a great product

Luxury yacht firm recruits more than 100 people

Beats having an economy based on opening doors for each other

I think any negativity was towards the previous incarnation run by David Tydeman who, incidentally, moved on to Fairline but only lasted 18 months there.

I prefer it where companies are privately owned by an individual, such as Richard Hadida, who show enthusiasm for the brand, rather than being owned by venture capital companies, as was the case with Oyster's previous two owners.

 

[pvb]

I prefer it where companies are privately owned by an individual, such as Richard Hadida, who show enthusiasm for the brand, rather than being owned by venture capital companies, as was the case with Oyster's previous two owners.

Indeed, but there aren't too many billionaires prepared to throw their wealth at boatbuilding.

 

[Kukri]

Indeed, but there aren't too many billionaires prepared to throw their wealth at boatbuilding.

Owning a boatbuilder can be a way to make a small fortune - if you start with a larger one.

 

[HissyFit]

Indeed, but there aren't too many billionaires prepared to throw their wealth at boatbuilding.

Indeed not, which is a pity when Discovery are now in the hands of a German holding company. I wouldn't be surprised if manufacture of Discoverys heads in that direction, as it did with Moody.

 

[pvb]

Indeed not, which is a pity when Discovery are now in the hands of a German holding company. I wouldn't be surprised if manufacture of Discoverys heads in that direction, as it did with Moody.

Yes, wasn't that nice Mr Langdon lucky to sell his shareholding in such a timely fashion?

 

[HissyFit]

Yes, wasn't that nice Mr Langdon lucky to sell his shareholding in such a timely fashion?

Which kinda defeats my original point.

 

[Scolly]

Still, It's nice to hear about a British company building a quality product that people want for once rather than cheap tat from china. Or the fact the french/Germans can manage to rule the sailing world and we still think some long keel piece of overweight junk with a paraffin stove is somehow superior.

 

[Kukri]

Still, It's nice to hear about a British company building a quality product that people want for once rather than cheap tat from china. Or the fact the french/Germans can manage to rule the sailing world and we still think some long keel piece of overweight junk with a paraffin stove is somehow superior.

? That’s fighting talk...!???

 

[Scolly]

? That’s fighting talk...!???

Sorry on my hobby horse..why can't the UK produce the equivalent of Bavaria or Lagoon instead of living in the past

 

[Kukri]

Sorry on my hobby horse..why can't the UK produce the equivalent of Bavaria or Lagoon instead of living in the past

Genuinely a very good question.

 

[JumbleDuck]

.,. a great company with a great product

 

[JumbleDuck]

Sorry on my hobby horse..why can't the UK produce the equivalent of Bavaria or Lagoon instead of living in the past

Nothing is living in the past more than laboriously hand-built yachts ... like Oyster.

 

[Sandy]

Sorry on my hobby horse..why can't the UK produce the equivalent of Bavaria or Lagoon instead of living in the past

Simples, no market. Given the fact we are leaving the EU at the end of the year an even smaller market.

 

[HissyFit]

Oyster's one and only keel failure. Has since been rebuilt and is now known as Champagne Hippy.

 

[HissyFit]

Simples, no market. Given the fact we are leaving the EU at the end of the year an even smaller market.

That's like saying we won't be able to buy Beneteau, Bavaria, AMEL etc in the future, and we were never able to by Island Packet or Hunter Marine. It just means Europeans won't pay British VAT on British produced goods, but will be required to pay it on import into their own country. This will constitute a minor inconvenience.

 

[Frogmogman]

Sorry on my hobby horse..why can't the UK produce the equivalent of Bavaria or Lagoon instead of living in the past

It is interesting that the building of production sailing yachts in the UK withered on the vine in the face of continental competition, yet the British stinkpot builders such as Sunseeker and Princess thrived.

It's not as though the continental yacht builders have been without their problems - Jeanneau, Dufour, Wauquiez, CNB, Lagoon have all been bust and bought out by Beneteau, who have been an extraordinary success story.

Nautitech went bust and was bought out by Bavaria (who also went bust). Grand Large group now has Allures, Outremer, Gunboat, Garcia and RM under it's wing.

One thing I have learned in the 32 years I've lived in France is that the high non-wage labour costs and massive hassle involved in employing people encourages businesses to invest in labour-saving machines and processes.

Maybe France and Germany have also been better at not letting viable business go to the wall because of cash flow issues.

 

[Old Harry]

Sorry on my hobby horse..why can't the UK produce the equivalent of Bavaria or Lagoon instead of living in the past

due to 25% VAT up from 8% killed off British boat building, the French protected their industry.
I would assume most Oyster`s are sold free of VAT

 

[Scolly]

Expected to see this picture much earlier in the thread. of course no other yacht has ever lost a keel has it. Can never understand the need to knock Oyster.