Windy seeing returns on investments

Norwegian boat builder, Windy Scandinavia is about to open its new lacquer hall and launch a new flagship, the SLR60, its biggest vessel to date, the result of the firm’s recent infrastructure investments.

Windy’s main production facility in Västervik, Sweden employs resin transfer moulding to produce stronger, lighter and more fuel-efficient hulls. Over recent years, Windy has invested in substantial upgrades to its infrastructure, including a new GRP hall, new office spaces and an overall clean-up of the surrounding environment.

The latest investment at the Swedish premises is a new lacquer hall, with completion imminent. The hall will enable the brand to achieve a “superior standard” of finish expected without wrapping and foiling, this will aid the firm as it grows in both the private boating and yachting markets, it said.

Originally established in 1966, Windy was founded by Hugo Vold, the son of a Norwegian fisherman who spent much of his youth awaiting his father’s return as storms raged in the Skagerrak – the stretch of water separating Norway from Denmark.

Today, Windy Scandinavia AB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Periscopus AS – a privately-owned Norwegian holding company since it acquired Windy in 1986.

Across its two facilities, in Västervik and Ostróda, Poland, Windy has over 150 skilled personnel to produce models ranging from 26 to 60 feet across its Windy Sport Series and Windy SR Series Chase Boats & Yacht Tenders. The builder has also delivered a variety of full custom tenders, both open and limousines.