on 25 Dec 2022
The Dutch yard has also expanded its workforce by 45 per cent
The yard, which recently launched the restyled Zeelander 6 says its latest rebranding exercise has created a “new visual identity for the brand which fits its core values more closely.” The brand has moved away from naming boats according to their length in feet, and now uses a single digit for each model.
Zeelander has also completed a recruitment drive to enlarge its workforce by 45 per cent. The new staff are supporting the extension of the yard itself, which has been able to grow on land adjacent to the waterside site in Groot-Ammers, the Netherlands.
“Strong demand for Zeelander’s yachts, especially in the US and the Netherlands, persuaded us of the wisdom of investing in sustainable growth,” says founder Sietse Koopmans. “Fortunately, we have been able to do this at the existing waterside site in Groot-Ammers, where we have added building sheds and office space, as well as a dedicated paint booth. We may be growing, but it is not our ambition to be the biggest. We remain committed to being the best.”
Boats up to 25m (82ft) in length can be accommodated in the paint booth, meaning that Zeelander yachts can for the first time be entirely spray-painted in-house.
“By adding capacity to our shipyard we have created new build slots which weren’t previously available,” adds Koopmans. “It means that a select few will have the opportunity to order a new Zeelander yacht in 2023, where they would otherwise have had to wait several years.
“We were always clear that we would increase the model range once we had simplified our offer and perfected our styling. When the first new Zeelander 5 is launched in the spring of 2023, that process will be complete, and we will be able to lift the covers on a new, bigger yacht. More details will be revealed in the spring, but suffice it to say she will be every bit as sophisticated, sensual and serene as our smaller yachts.”
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