Multiple Bids Submitted for Fairline Yachts as Administrators Seek Buyer

Administrators of Fairline Yachts, the UK-based luxury boatbuilder, are reportedly reviewing multiple bids for the company, according to the Northamptonshire Telegraph. Entering administration in January 2025, just two months after being acquired by Arrowbolt Propulsion Systems Limited, Fairline Yachts employed approximately 250 staff across its two sites in Oundle and Suffolk.

Joint administrators of Fairline Yachts Limited secured funding through its existing lender, DF Capital, enabling the continuity of employment for its workforce. Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP, the joint administrators, are actively seeking a buyer to ensure the brand's future viability.

Michael Magnay, joint administrator at Alvarez & Marsal, acknowledged Fairline Yachts as an iconic brand with a skilled team and strong relationships with dealers and customers. He suggested that the brand could attract interest from both international and domestic investors.

Founded in 1967, Fairline Yachts offers four yacht ranges, ranging from 10 to 21 meters, sold globally through direct channels and local dealerships. Despite facing financial difficulties in the past, including administration in 2015 and labor shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company maintained a strong order book valued at £100 million in early 2024. However, its latest financial results showed a decline in turnover from £48.3 million in 2022 to £41.1 million in 2023, although forecasts predicted a rebound for 2024.