Fletcher, the Staffordshire, UK sportsboat builder which went into receivership in January, has been sold as a going concern to glass reinforced plastics fabricator Franton.
Fletcher, the Staffordshire, UK sportsboat builder which went into receivership in January, has been sold as a going concern to glass reinforced plastics fabricator Franton.
Franton Ltd and its company West Bromwich Patterns and Mouldings, based in West Bromwich, UK, are recognised as one of the UK’s leading GRP manufacturers and are best known as the producer of almost every door fitted to a train in the UK.
The company says it is looking to develop the company’s GRP and boatbuilding operations, and will continue building the current line of Fletcher boats.
Importantly for new and existing owners is that Franton have pledged to honour all existing warranties, including the new 2 year hull warranty introduced at the start of the year for all 2002 craft.
Franton says it is to introduce new working practices to the Fletcher factory to improve production techniques and simplify manufacturing processes.
Yamaha Motor (UK) has also confirmed that as requested by Franton they will continue to provide the exclusive sales, marketing and PR organisation, for Fletcher boats in the UK and Europe which will ensure that the current growth in sales continues.
The deal was signed on Friday evening.
Chief executive of Franton, Russell Turner, commented ” After many weeks of negotiation I am very pleased to announce the acquisition of the Fletcher powerboat business which is a renowned marque within the international boating industry.”
Administrators Deloitte and Touche told IBI that the entire company has been sold and 95 staff are to remain. Fletcher’s Burntwood facility had previously employed a workforce of 144. Terms of the transaction were undisclosed.
The Fletcher sportsboat and its Dell Quay dory ranges stretch from 4.3-7.6m (14-25ft). Fletcher is a major supplier of industrial mouldings, producing items as diverse as coach bodies, wind-generator parts and simulator capsules. Boatbuilding accounts for around 30 per cent of its undisclosed turnover.
