The Gunfleet 43, the first boat to be built at Gunfleet Marine's new production facility. Photo: Steve Cox

Gunfleet Marine’s new boat-building facility was officially opened in Essex yesterday amid an air of celebration and optimism for the future of the business.

Bill Howlett, managing director of Gunfleet Marine. Photo: Steve Cox

The company was started a year ago by Richard Matthews, who founded and developed Ipswich-based Oyster Yachts into a major business and then sold it in 2008.

Gunfleet Marine moved on to a 5½-acre site at Brunel Way, Colchester, nine months ago and since then has adapted the factory to build top-class cruising yachts and has created its first boat. The first Gunfleet 43 will have her sea trials next week and will be launched at next month’s Southampton Boat Show.

Mr Matthews, who is non-executive chairman of the new enterprise, told guests at the opening evening that he had high hopes for the business “despite the turbulent times in which we live”.

He also said: “It took 35 years to build up my last yachting enterprise and we hope with this venture to create a worthwhile business in about one-tenth of that time, so watch this space.

“We are happy to be judged on what we achieve. We have got a fantastic team, we know what we are doing and we have got the resources to build a world-class business and that is exactly what we intend to do.”

The first four employees of Gunfleet Marine, including managing director Bill Howlett, are New Zealanders, who had been working for Kiwi boat-builder McDell, which produced yachts for Oyster but had to close down because of unfavourable exchange rates.

Mr Howlett had planned to spend quality time on the beach but got a call from Mr Matthews, who said he would get bored and invited him to get involved in a new business in the UK.

Mr Howlett told guests: “There is a lot of talk here, as in New Zealand, about growing businesses, investing in businesses and creating jobs. Politicians are talking about it, financiers are talking about it, economists are talking about it – and Richard Matthews is doing it.”

Mr Howlett said that nine months ago, Gunfleet had employed its first Englishman. “Now we are up to 35 people and by Christmas it will be 50,” he said.

Those at the event were able to see the first Gunfleet 43 sailing cruiser on the factory floor, supported by a web of scaffolding. The price of the luxurious craft, designed by marine architect Tony Castro, will be revealed at the Southampton show.

Gunfleet Marine expects to build six or seven a year of the 43 and has Tony Castro working on a range of boats, with the next being the Gunfleet 58, a yacht which the company says will set new standards in design and innovation.