OYSTER
CELEBRATING PHASE II AT OYSTER YACHTS WROXHAM
With the recent expansion and announcement of “Phase II” at Oyster’s Norfolk facility in Wroxham, Oyster staff and their guests were invited to the official opening and launch party held on Friday 17 October, to celebrate the next chapter in the history of this luxury yacht-building outfit.
The event was well attended with 275 guests and for staff, a superb opportunity to showcase their place of work and yachts in build to family and friends. Apprentices proudly showed their parents around the facility during the evening’s entertainment and the Oyster team soaked up the special celebratory atmosphere over a hog-roast and cocktails.
Guests included Anthony Landamore and Ronnie Yaxley of E C Landamores, and key local suppliers such as Bridgland Moulders, Abbey Transport and Hall & Sons.
Speaking at the event, Oyster CEO David Tydeman said: “Celebrating the opening of the new build bays is a great opportunity to reflect on the success that is enabling Oyster to continue to invest in its Norfolk operations. We introduced the new version Oyster 575 in October 2012 confident that the team we had established under the new banner of ‘Oyster Yachts Wroxham’ earlier in the year, could build them to a high standard and efficiently. They have done so well that we have closed 19 contracts over the last 24-months – a sales success rate better than we’ve ever achieved in Oyster’s history with one model. As a direct result of this success – and the parallel sales of four of the new Oyster 475’s, seven of the new 545’s and several 625’s over the same period – we have been able to double the size of the workforce with almost 175 staff now on site.
“Following the recent unveiling of the new coupe-styling Oyster 675, the first contract is now signed and will also be built in Wroxham further endorsing the commitment and teamwork at this facility. And, at the Düsseldorf boat show in January 2015, we will proudly present Oyster 575-26, which has a very unique specification, and the team in Wroxham consider this yacht to be one of the best, if not the best, yacht they have ever built.”
After nearly 40 years of partnership, in 2012, Oyster Yachts took over the Oyster business of E C Landamores and made it a wholly owned Oyster operation. Now in 2014, the new expansion, which is a conversion of the original building currently owned by Anthony Landamore and managed by Tilia Properties, has created two additional build bays plus a new deck bay to accommodate increased demand. This successful partnership has been the driving force behind the extended factory and in turn has been the catalyst of Oyster’s recent recruitment drive.
Suzy Lynch, General Manager Oyster Yachts Wroxham commented: “The evening was a great success and really showed the pride that all of our employees have in their work and the Oyster brand. The factory was looking great and provided an ideal showcase for the high level of skill and craftsmanship of the team. With our ambitious plans for further expansion in Wroxham we are always keen to hear from people who would like to be part of the Oyster family.”
Top main photo left to right Oyster Management team: Harvey Jones, Suzy Lynch, David Tydeman, Kevin Webster and Terry Day.
