Sobstad UK bought

Hamble loft acquired by Elvström Sobstad

The Elvström Sobstad Group has acquired Sobstad UK in the final phase of its purchase of the Sobstad Corp.,which began in 2002. Based at Port Hamble, England, Sobstad UK will be re-named Elvström Sobstad UK.

“I am delighted to welcome Sobstad UK to the Elvström Sobstad Group,” said Claus Olsen, President of Elvström Sobstad. “We are expanding rapidly at the moment and the U.K. is a very important market for us. We have worked closely with Sobstad UK since 2002 and I am pleased to finally incorporate the company as part of our group.”

The UK company will continue to be run by Kevin Sproul, Managing Director of Sobstad UK since 2003. Sproul is an avid sailor and has won many European Championships in the Melges 24, Mumm 30, Farr 40 and Swan 45 classes.

“This is a very exciting time for our company,” Sproul said. “Joining the Elvström Sobstad Group will help us to provide a higher level of service to our customers, and also offer sails for a wider range of boats. We will also benefit from a valuable design expertise from within the Group.”

The design and development team at Elvström Sobstad has benefited recently from the appointment of Andrew Smith as Group Project Manager. Formerly Technical Director at North Sails, Smith has more than 20 years experience in the sailmaking industry. He is currently overseeing the design and development of Elvström Sobstad’s next generation of patented sails.

Elvström Sobstad is the largest sailmaker in Europe. Founded in 1954 by four-time Olympic Gold medalist and sailing legend Paul Elvström, today the company is represented by more than 50 dealerships worldwide and is the preferred sailmaker of many of Europe’s most respected boatbuilders.