An award-winning Cornish boatbuilder is already contemplating further expansion after starting production in a Redruth factory just four months ago.Powercat at speed...

Powercats Ltd, which won an international “Innovative Boat of the Year” award last year, has already hit full capacity at its new 3,400 sq ft base on the Cardrew Industrial Estate.

Powercats managing director Barry Philpott confirmed that he was on target to beat his goal of 36 motorised catamarans a year and that he has already begun looking for additional production capacity.

“Until now, our Powercat production has been divided between various locations, including the Isles of Scilly, but now for the first time we have the entire operation under one roof,” he said.

“The new premises have enabled us to bring together all our production, sales and administration working together in the leanest and most efficient way. For the first time since we began producing Powercats in 1999, we can contemplate maximizing our full potential and we are seeing productivity rocket.”

The company, which now employs eight people and may need to recruit more, has reached its present rosy state with the “invaluable” support of Cornwall Marine Network (CMN).

“It is due in no small measure to their help and advice that we are where we are today,” said Mr Philpott. “They have played a crucial role in helping us with attendance at trade shows, advertising campaigns, production of a new sales dvd and design and production of a new brochure.”

The Powercat is an excellent product being exported out of Cornwall. It is fast establishing itself as a serious player in its sector...

Alan Shepherd, CMN chief executive, commented: “The Powercat is an excellent product being exported out of Cornwall. It is fast establishing itself as a serious player in its sector; its simple yet effective eye-catching design gives a smooth, stable ride whilst being fuel- efficient.”

The company has just passed another milestone with completion of its 50th Powercat 525 and with its current order book it confidently anticipates passing the century mark within the next 18 months.

In January last year Mr Philpott declared that Cornish boatbuilding had been thrust into the international marketing spotlight when the Powercat triumphed at the IPC Media Marine Awards.

The company won the “Innovative Boat of the Year” category and was the only UK boatbuilder to win any of the scheme’s 11 categories.

For more information contact Powercats ...