Hunter Closing in UK *yks

[Alan]

Luhrs Marine Ltd, the UK subsidiary of Hunter Marine Corp in the US, is to shift the manufacture of Hunter and Legend sailing yachts to the US following a significant downturn in business.The closure of the Luhrs factory, located in Portland, Dorset, is expected to help offset the softening demand for the company's yachts in several key markets, including the US.The UK investment was a success and the Hunter brand continues to experience a growth in the worlds largest yacht sailing market, with active distributors in 25 European countries

 

[Rick D]

Wonder What's Up?

I would think the same economics prompting a UK assembly would be unchanged. So, maybe it's just a general economic pullback on both sides of the pond? OTOH, the dollar is certainly much weaker than when the UK plant was planned, maybe enough to make US assembly and shipping the lesser of the expense. Anyway, I wish I knew the inside into the decision. I looked for this press release and couldn't find it, Alan. Rick D.

 

[Alan]

Rick

I just read about this in IBI(International Boat Industry) Feb/March 2007 edition. I tried finding it in the on line edition but it wasn't there.You'll just have to take my word for it or buy the magazine.www.ibinews.com

 

[Rick D]

I Also Heard re: Catalina

Heard recently that Catalina was going to close their SoCal - Woodland Hills facility and consolidate all the boat building in Fla. That was word-of-mouth, so take it with a grain of salt. RD