Pendennis celebrates its 30th anniversary

The Falmouth-based superyacht manufacturing stalwart Pendennis celebrates its 30th anniversary at Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) 2018, showcased beautifully by 39m SY Vijonara exhibiting at the show. Speaking exclusively with SuperyachtNews, Toby Allies, joint managing director of Pendennis, discusses some of the milestones and features that characterise Pendennis’ ethos and achievements over the last 30 years.

“Pendennis was founded in 1988 in order to build Taramber, a 38m ketch. However, the maritime heritage of Falmouth and the south west of Cornwall generally stretches far beyond that,” starts Allies. “Falmouth has been renowned throughout history for its maritime prestige, consider for example the manufacturing of battleships in the 17th Century and latterly the J Class yachts in the 1920s. We have continued this rich vein of maritime heritage throughout our 30 years.”

Over the course of Pendennis’ 30 years, the shipyard has worked on a number of superyacht projects, including 15 30m-plus new builds and hundreds of refit and restoration projects within both the sailing yacht and motoryacht markets. Notable new build projects include Vijonara and Steel, as well as Aquila, Adela, Northern Star, Haida 1929 and many more on the part of refit.

“Looking at the sailing yacht projects over the years, we had a really good relationship with Dubois Naval Architects, we did a number of projects with Ed [Dubois] and Malcolm [McKeon] such as Nostromo and the Beagle yachts,” continues Allies. “We have worked with a number of the key designers over the years.”

As well as contributing to Cornwall’s rich shipbuilding history, Pendennis has also ensured that it is playing a role in shipbuilding’s future in the region. Running now for almost 20 years, Pendennis’ apprentice programme has proved to be a resounding success with some of the scheme’s original participants occupying senior Pendennis positions today. “The apprenticeship programme has continued to go from strength to strength,” explains Allies. “Ordinarily, we have over 10 applications for each place and around a third of our 420-strong work force has been a part of, or is currently a part of, the apprenticeship scheme.”

Continuously producing beautiful superyachts has been made possible by the Pendennis’ willingness to invest in the future, a feat that can only be achieved by benefiting from solid financial backing. In 2017, Pendennis turned over £51.1million, and increased of £3.3million on the previous year. Recent infrastructure investments of £22million include the development of 7,000sqm of undercover purpose-built construction halls, workshops, offices and storage space, as well as a 7,564sqm non-tidal wet basin and a 640-tonne travel hoist.

“Celebrating our 30th anniversary at MYS this year reinforces that we are here, we are a solid company, we are in a strong financial position and that we are here to stay,” continues Allies. At 14.30pm on 27 September, the Red Arrows, will be displaying at MYS in honour of Pendennis’ 30th anniversary.

Moving forward, Allies makes it clear that focus for Pendennis is to continue growing its reputation in the large yacht market’s new build and refit sectors, especially within the 50-85m sector.

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