Sunseeker International, Britain’s biggest boat builder, is celebrating winning two prestigious categories at this year’s Boat Builder Awards, which were announced last night during a ceremony at The National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam. Sunseeker won the awards for most Innovative On-Board Design Solution and Best Apprenticeship and Training Scheme.
The Boat Builder Awards celebrate outstanding business achievement within the marine industry, organised jointly by IBI magazine and METSTRADE and recognise individual and team success across eight categories of business achievement globally.
The award for most Innovative On-Board Design Solution was presented to Sunseeker for its ‘Beach Club’ concept, a design feature first introduced on the new Manhattan 52 and subsequently rolled out across all new models in line with customer demand. This innovative solution utilises otherwise unused space for owners and their friends and family to relax close to the water. The remarkable design provides a seamless extension to the main deck and offers owners a plethora of options including the built-in barbeque, overhead ‘rain shower’ and fold down transom seating. The innovative concept demonstrates Sunseeker’s deep understanding of its customers and the way in which they use their boats.
The award win for Best Apprenticeship and Training Scheme is recognition of Sunseeker’s dedication to the development of apprentices across the business. Sunseeker has recognised the benefits of this for over 35 years and currently supports over 116 apprentices with its apprenticeship programme. Working in partnership with Bournemouth & Poole College and its specialist Marine Technology Centre, Sunseeker is firmly committed to developing the high-level skills of young marine engineers and boat builders who will help to maintain its reputation as a world leader in luxury motor yachts.
Commenting on the awards, Phil Popham, CEO of Sunseeker International said: “The awards are testament to the skill and dedication of our 2,400 employees in Dorset where we have meticulously manufactured award-winning yachts for nearly half a century. To be honoured in these two categories is absolutely fantastic. Throughout the decades, Sunseeker has always strived to be more advanced, ambitious, innovative – and consequently more successful.
He continued, “The award win for our apprenticeship scheme clearly demonstrates our investment in and commitment to the future of the marine industry, enabling people in our local community to kick-start their career in this sector but is also thanks to the discretionary effort of our employees who help develop apprentices across the business. As a direct result of our healthy forward order book, we are continuing to recruit for skilled staff this year and our apprentices form part of a talent pipeline to support this.”
IBI Editor and chair of the Boat Builder Awards judges, Ed Slack, commented: “The Boat Builder Awards was conceived to champion the vision and dedication of the people that build boats today and the great efforts they are making to ensure the marine industry continues to provide the right products for its current and future customers. It is also vital that all sectors of the industry collaborate closely, to ensure the very best user experiences. Our winning and shortlisted companies this year provided brilliant examples, not only of individual excellence but also the great results that occur when teams and businesses work closely together.”
Building on its 2,400 strong workforce, Sunseeker is recruiting across Dorset in a number of disciplines including GRP Laminators and Finishers, Carpenters, Electricians and Engineers, as well as other manufacturing and construction related roles. Anyone interested in finding out more about Sunseeker careers can do so at www.sunseeker.com/recruitment
