YachtProjects International owner Pippa Nicholas, left, and Allan Foot, MD of Solent Refit, right, at Hythe
Global specialist YachtProjects International has relocated its UK operation at one of the country’s premier superyacht refit and repair facilities.
The firm – whose head office is in Ft Lauderdale, Florida South – is set to expand. After taking the opportunity to move onto the new site at Solent Refit, at Hythe on Southampton Water, it is also soon to open offices in New Zealand and Australia.
Solent Refit, which has built its reputation on maintaining and refitting classic and modern superyachts, welcomed the move as it sees a synergy between both companies and what they have to offer.
YachtProjects International has a portfolio of products and skills, including, VSAT hardware and airtime, managed onboard networks, Inmarsat airtime and offer Mandatory Global Maritime Distress and Safety (GMDSS) services.
With a 24/7/365 remote support network, connectivity issues globally can be resolved in minutes due to the automatic alert systems YachtProjects International has in place.
The networks include products for automatic failovers, sharing of up to four sources of connectivity and data compression as well as a bespoke firewall security level.
YachtProjects International is also the European and UK sales and service agent for Headhunter water treatment systems and products.
Aerial shot of Solent Refit at Hythe
Allan Foot, managing director of Solent Refit, said: “We are delighted that YachtProjects chose to bring their UK operation here.
“We are set to grow our preferred partner programme to offer a multitude of services and products, and partnerships like this offer our clients peace of mind to know we can offer a smooth transitional package of works to speed up refits.
“With our recently secured 30 year lease for the shipyard and, as the South of England’s premier facility for refit and repair of super yachts and commercial vessels, we see a sustained growth period over the next few years.”
Pippa Nicholas, owner of YachtProjects International, said: “Solent Refit has an amazing location on the South Coast of England which suits our UK operation.
“It’s a facility that offers a flexible platform for us and allows us to carry out work easily and economically alongside the Solent Refit team.”
She added: “There is the potential to create more jobs in the future as we continue to grow at Solent Refit.”
Based in Hythe, Solent Refit provides 10,000 sqm of undercover working halls and waterside working areas combined with a highly skilled workforce of marine specialists.
With a strong emphasis on British craftsmanship, the company’s aim is to attract a larger proportion of the refit work which is currently carried out in Mediterranean yards and elsewhere.
YachtProjects International’s US operation is based in Florida with the UK operation now based at Solent Refit and satellite offices in Durban and New Zealand.
Its International clients include Cruise Management International of Miami, Clipper Ship Management of Copenhagen, Victory Shipping of Miami and various Super Yacht clients worldwide.
Solent Refit will be at the Monaco Yacht Show on September 28 to October 1. Anyone who wishes to meet at the show is urged to get in touch.
