CUSTOMERS WANT BRITISH MADE SAILS
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14 Mar 2018
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Chris Jeckells is finding more customers want to buy British made sails
INDUSTRY DATABASE
JECKELLS THE SAILMAKER
Norfolk based Jeckells the Sailmakers has been manufacturing sails for 186 years.
A family firm with two generations currently involved in the business, Brexit was at first a worry for MD Chris Jeckells, who incidentally, is from the seventh generation of the family to work for the company.
But for the moment he feels happier – ‘I feel that once it is all sorted out it will be for the better, although it is going to take time’.
Part of the reason for the positivity is that since the Brexit vote, Jeckells appears to be doing very well. “We are busier than ever,” says Chris, “and have recently had some successful boat shows.”
Overseas work
He adds: “We are doing considerably more work overseas for all types of boat, large and small. Over the last 18 months we have taken on extra staff and have invested more than £115,000 in a new laser cutter and sewing machine.”
As for his customers, there doesn’t seem to be the apprehension to buy new sails that there was a few years ago. “As we are one of the few lofts that manufacture our sails entirely in the UK we have noticed that, in fact, there is more determination to buy British manufactured sails now than there was before Brexit.”
Better quality
He’s also found more customers are selling up and setting off to sail round the world and they are spending a lot more money on better quality sail materials.
But what of the future for his company and leisure marine in general? On this Chris is more pragmatic. “It is what it is,” he says. “As long as we keep our heads screwed on things should be fine.
“There is a growing market and people all over the world love buying from us as we are a British sailmaker with strong heritage and a great product.”