SUNSEEKER International says it is now a “profitable, stable” business after revenue and profit both rose substantially.
Poole’s luxury boat maker – which returned to the black in 2016 after losing £41million two years previously – says it is now set for growth.
And it intends to introduce bigger superyachts as well as smaller performance craft.
Sunseeker is forecast revenue growth of 10 per cent this year and a 15 per cent rise in volumes, as well as a “substantial improvement in profit” for the full year.
It says the figures are the result of a significant restructuring and re-focusing, as well as investment in products, facilities and people. It says it has cemented its position as Britain’s biggest boat builder and the world’s leading luxury motor yacht brand.
Chief executive Phil Popham said: “Sunseeker is global, leading luxury brand which is a profitable, stable business with excellent growth potential.
“We have a strong forward order book, with 90 per cent of capacity sold for 2017 and 50 per cent already sold for 2018.
“Our robust NPD (new product development) process has helped us achieve this success, delivering exciting new models, such as the hugely successful Manhattan 52 – our fastest selling model ever – as well as the Predator 57 MK II, Manhattan 66 and the new 76 Yacht, which is already proving to be extremely popular.
“We are continuing to invest in our facilities and people, with the creation of 122 jobs this year and a further 124 by January 2018 in order to meet the increase in demand across the model range.”
He added: “We have some bold new product plans that will see us move up into larger superyachts using different build methods and materials for the first time and we will also be reaffirming our sporting heritage with the introduction of new smaller performance models.
“2017 has been another defining year for Sunseeker and we are extremely optimistic about the future.”
Sunseeker will be unveiling two models at the Southampton Boat Show, which starts tomorrow – the 76 Yacht and the Predator 57MKII.
The 76 promises “an unprecedented level of luxury, sociability and living space”, while the Predator 57 MKII is the new version of the boat which has been the market leader in its segment since its introduction of January 2015.
Founded as Poole Power Boats in 1969, Sunseeker International is owned by the Chinese conglomerate the Wanda Group and employs around 2,300 people in Dorset, producing around 150 boats a year.
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