In stark contrast to what’s going on in the production-boat sector, where boatbuilders are laying off staff, the megayacht market needs more skilled craftsmen. Palmer Johnson www.palmerjohnson.com is just one builder hanging out the “help wanted” sign, for its new facility in Southampton, England.
You may remember from a few months ago that the American yard decided to cross the pond and purchase a former Vosper Thornycroft facility to increase production to meet demand for its sleek yachts (like Dragon, above), which is particularly strong overseas. The acquisition was approved last month, so now Palmer Johnson’s setting up shop.
According to a story from the English newspaper Daily Echo, Palmer Johnson is recruiting tradespeople for positions in carpentry, upholstery, accounting, and even management. A total of 24 departments need employees, and eventually about 800 people will be working on site, the paper reports.
“It is wonderful the company are so keen to get cracking and get onto the site,” the paper quoted Royston Smith, cabinet member for economic development, as saying. “This is going to bring lots of skilled jobs to the area, not just on the boat yard but all industries that are involved with the company or the workforce.”
The Southampton yard still needs to be reconstructed to suit Palmer Johnson’s needs, which will likely take about a year to complete. So for the time being the builder is running operations from a former Royal Air Force base a few miles away. The Daily Echo states that 20 craftspeople are there now, and the initial stages of construction on the first megayacht should begin this week.
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