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Hyde Sails takes over Ullman Sails UK

by Julie Latta, Webwords 8 Jan 2002 12:22 GMT

Today Hyde Sails, one of Europe’s largest sail makers, announces an amalgamation with Ullman Sails UK. The deal creates the biggest sail making company in the UK and brings Ian Simkins, principal and founder of Ullman Sails UK, and a sail maker with 25 years of experience, into Hyde’s Hamble operation.

As a majority shareholder of Ullman Sail UK, Simkins deal with Hyde incorporates his neighbouring Hamble sail loft into part of Hyde’s big boat facility; this move results in the only dedicated service loft for big boat sails on the river Hamble. Hyde Sails opened a new sail loft on the waterfront at Hamble Yacht Services for the manufacture of big boat sails in January 2001. Its new loft is equipped to service and repair sails from the smallest dinghy to a Volvo 60. “The inclusion of Ullman Sails’ customer base and depth of experience will provide both Hyde and Ullman customers with the very best design, sail making technology and service capability,” explains Kevin Sproul, Hyde’s Marketing Director.

Integration of key Ullman personnel with the existing Hyde team will result in an increased level of service for all customers, and Ian Simkins will continue to offer a personal service to all existing Ullman customers. “For my current customers it will be business as usual,” Simkins reassures. “This venture will allow me to concentrate on offering my many long-standing customers even better service. I am also looking forward to the challenge of adding value to the Hyde manufacturing trademarks of quality and consistency”.

Background on Hyde Sails

Hyde Sails is one of Europe’s largest sail makers, manufacturing over 10,000 new sails per year. It has a dinghy loft in Benfleet, Essex and a big boat and service loft in Hamble. As well as winning major events in all one design keelboat and custom yacht classes, Hyde produce sails for many of the biggest boat builders in Europe including Performance Sailcraft, Hunter Boats, Luhrs Marine, LDC and Topcat.

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