Bright future for Crabbers

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A little more than a year after a famous Cornish marine brand appeared to be sunk, Cornish Crabbers has just enjoyed its best year ever.

It was just 14 months ago when the Rock-based boat builder was forced into administration with the loss of 30 jobs.

But since being bought out of receivership by businessman Philip Langsdale, the chief information officer at airport operator BAA, the company has re-employed 24 staff and sold more boats in 2009 than in any previous period in its 36-year history. With the weak pound, it has increased its exports to France, Spain and Switzerland, and is planning to set up new distributorships in 2010.

It has also developed a new model – the Crabber 26 – which will be launched at the London Boat Show next month.

A recent £150k investment from the Convergence Programme has formed a boost for the company, which has been used to purchase its premises at Rock, invest in upgrading the factory and improving working conditions.

Sales manager Peter Thomas commented: “When we came back from receivership on the first day of the last London Boat Show in January 2009, we were staggered by the flood of good luck wishes from not only our customers but from others in the marine trade. A lot of high profile marine figures are Cornish Crabber owners and enthusiasts.”

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