THE FIRST MINISTER, Carwyn Jones, has visited a family-run business Dale Sailing Company that makes bespoke luxury yachts in Neyland.
Dale Sailing Company, run by brothers Mike and John Reynolds, has gained an international reputation as an expert boatyard that makes one-off, top quality, custom designed boats that are personalised to meet the requirements of each individual owner.
The company, based in Brunel Quay, Neyland, recently unveiled the Dale Classic 35 at the Southampton Boat Show where it won rave reviews and was a big hit with the crowds at the international marine event. The Dale Classic 35 has also been nominated for the prestigious Motor Boat and Yachting awards 2015 which will take place at this year’s London International Boat Show. The Welsh Government provided funding towards Dale Sailing’s marketing materials and the berth at the Southampton show in September.
The First Minister said: “I was delighted to hear the Dale Sailing’s latest luxury motor launch made a big impression at the Southampton Boat Show and that the high quality craftsmanship and attention to detail has been singled out for praise and helped the company make such an impact.”
“I am pleased that the Welsh Government was able to provide support to the company to achieve this.”
Mike Reynolds said: “The Dale Classic 35 was a big hit at the Southampton Show and we’ve had huge interest from potential customers in the UK and Europe.”
“We are proud to have a reputation for top quality craft and our success is down to our attention to detail, high quality craftsmanship and customer service.”
“We have consolidated and restructured the company over the recent few years and are now looking at further ways of developing and expanding the business.”
The business, which has 40 employees, also has a commercial boat building arm specialising in catamarans for use as passenger boats, support vessels for off shore wind farms and for fishing fleets.
Mike added that there was potential for growth in increasing its dry berth facilities, the leisure and tourist side of the business, expanding its commercial boats services and boat building in the specialist and commercial catamaran markets.
Dale Sailing was set up in 1961 by Mike and John’s father Campbell Reynolds in Dale. Mike and John took over the business in 1979 and moved to larger premises in Neyland Marina in 1983 where it has boat building, boat repair, lift out and storage facilities on a 4.5 acres site with 10,000 sq ft of workshops. Over the years Mike and John have developed a strong management team and a highly skilled workforce who are committed to the further development, expansion and long term success of the company. John’s son Gareth is maintaining the family connection as he recently joined the company and is taking responsibility for the Leisure and Commercial boats.
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