Are you interested in joining a strong, collaborative, and globally connected group of independent sailmaking lofts? UK Sailmakers International (UKI) offers powerful resources, cutting-edge technology, and a supportive network to help your business thrive.
Owner-Driven Structure and Strong Community
Joining UK Sailmakers means you become part of a globally connected group with the autonomy of an independent business, supported by a strong and experienced network.
Independence and Autonomy
Your business remains truly your own.
- Independent Ownership: Each loft is independently owned and operated.
- Operational Freedom: Loft owners choose what sails to sell, build, or source from other UK Sailmakers lofts.
Collaborative Leadership
The group is governed by its owners, ensuring all decisions align with loft success.
- Loft-Owned Parent Company: UK Sailmakers Technology AB, UK Sailmakers’ parent company, is owned by UK Sailmakers International loft shareholders.
- Active Direction: Lofts participate in the direction of the company. This active involvement includes:
- An Annual Shareholders Meeting
- Monthly Board of Directors Meetings
- Committees for Production, Design, and Marketing
Group Strength and Connection
Benefit from the experience and community of a stable, long-standing global network.
- Experienced Network: Join a group with decades of shared experience among loft owners.
- Stable Community: Enjoy strong camaraderie and long-lasting friendships across the network.
- Annual Managers Meeting: Our in-person Annual Managers Meeting location changes each year, to foster participation and collaboration on a global scale.
Cutting-Edge Design and Technology
Gain immediate access to industry-leading design tools and expertise.
Sail Design
- Lead Designer Support: Work directly with UK Lead Designer Pat Considine, including access to FSI (Fluid-Structure Interaction) analysis.
- Shared Knowledge: Designers within the group freely exchange knowledge and insights with all lofts.
- Design Software: Most lofts use BSG Sail Pack, with UKI covering 50% of the annual maintenance fee.
- Design Options: Access designs for racing, cruising, and one-design sails from production lofts or other UK designers.
Sales Tools
- Sailcom: A powerful custom sales tool for UK Sailmakers that:
- Creates 3D renderings for customers
- Allows visual verification of measurements
- Sends measurement data directly to designers
- UKI Quoting Software: Quickly generate quotes for customers and track orders through our production lofts.
- PandaDoc Integration: Optional paid program with professional templates for quotes and proposals where customers can digitally sign to confirm and finalize orders.
Global Production and Products
Leverage the reach of a worldwide network and a comprehensive product line.
- Strong Production Lofts: Purchase sails from established and licensed UK Sailmakers production lofts in Hong Kong, Turkey, Chicago, and South Africa.
- Proprietary Product Line:
- Titanium: The lightest, highest-performance sail construction.
- Titanium Double Taffeta: Premium performance cruising construction.
- X-Drive® Racing: The best balance of performance, longevity, and value.
- X-Drive® Cruising: Available with single or double taffeta for durability.
- Matrix Spinnakers: Hybrid panel layouts for stable, efficient shapes.
- ISL (Integrated Structural Luff): Load-sharing technology for headsails and specialty flying sails, including Code Zeros.
- Classic Products: Great selection of Dacron and laminate materials for traditional cross-cut and tri-radial sails, including materials made with recycled components.
Marketing, Media, and Support
Benefit from a robust marketing infrastructure and professional support network.
- Website: Each loft has a customizable page on the global UK Sailmakers site, which also features educational videos, articles, and a “Get a Quote” link.
- Marketing Assistance:
- Regular newsletters to our subscribers (over 30,000) with options for local editions for a target region
- Access to a database of brochures, print and digital ads, commercially licensed photos and videos
- Social Media presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify and more
- Tailored marketing and advertising support for your region and social media channels
- Discounts in our online store for loft promotional purchases
- Professional Contracts: UKI contracts specialists for:
- Website development
- Copywriting and marketing
- Accounting
- Graphic Design
- Legal and copyright matters
Low Fees
Our lofts operate under a cost-effective structure with modest monthly or quarterly fees that fund website maintenance, marketing, and R&D initiatives in addition to sales-based license fee on the same billing schedule. New lofts also pay a one-time joining fee.
Become a Licensed UK Sailmakers Loft
If you’re interested in joining the UK Sailmakers group and becoming part of our global network of lofts, please contact us at info@uksailmakers.com to learn more.
