North Sails opens brand new UK sail loft in Gosport

Sailmaker North Sails has opened a brand new UK sail loft for manufacturing its products. Based in Gosport, South Hampshire, the loft incorporates many global departments under one roof including North Sails 3Di, Superyacht Finishing and One Design Sail Production.

In a company statement, North Sails revealed that this brand new manufacturing loft would be its European flagship facility and the first of its kind to specialise in superyacht sails, as well as being the largest raised finishing floor in the world.

The new space will allow for work on special projects and custom finishing and is divided into two manufacturing bays, with the main floor specifically designed for superyacht finishing. The 101x30-metre space will allow for two J-Class headsails and a mainsail to be laid out at the same time.

North Sails also claimed that the equipment will assist production teams in producing and finishing sails faster and more efficiently than before, and will include an overhead gantry with a 3.2 ton load capacity, five rotating sewing machines and two travelling sewing machines.

As North Sails opened the doors of their new facility to guests yesterday, Ken Read, president of North Sails Group, John Welch, European COO, and Peter Dubens, managing partner of Oakley Capital and chairman of North Technology Group, were all present during the day. 

Of the opening Welch commented, “North Sails Gosport is a response to the ever-increasing size and demand for superyacht sails and represents a positive consolidation of our many departments. We’re excited about the space we now have and the opportunity to serve our customers with greater speed and efficiency.”

For more information, visit North Sails.