Why investors want to catch boatbuilding wave
The mega-rich mega just can’t get enough of British-built superyachts
Hello Rainmakers,
The global economy may be navigating stormy waters right now but one sector that continues to sail along nicely is the UK boatbuilding industry.
The mega rich, it seems, just can’t get enough of British-built superyachts – and that’s great news for PE firms looking for opportunities in a fragmented market, says our South West editor Robert Buckland.
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Can anything be better than soaking up some sun on the deck of a luxury yacht? It seems investing in one of the UK firms that makes them would be a good start.
The British boatbuilding industry generates around £2.9bn in annual revenue and employs something like 30,000 highly skilled people.
That makes the UK a major player in the global market and, with key international operators such as Sunseeker, Princess Yachts and Fairline, we rank in the top three in Europe.
The growth enjoyed by these superyacht producers has attracted international investors, while the fact that many firms in the sector are still family-owned or small players also offer opportunities for efficiencies and consolidation.
Key recent deals include 2024’s £160m acquisition of Poole-based Sunseeker to Miami-based Lionheart Capital and Orienta Capital Partners of Italy.
