Jobs lost as Ford boat firm closes

A DOZEN jobs have been lost after a boat construction company in Ford went into administration, on Monday.

After more than 38 years of trading and surviving two previous recessions, Orkney Boats Limited, in Ford Lane Business Park, has been forced to call in administrators, Portland Business & Finance Solutions, with the loss of 12 jobs.

Chris Powell, who founded the company in 1973 and is currently a director, said: “Since this last recession, there have been no more orders coming in.”

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Mr Powell said that the Southampton Boat Show, in August, normally provided a healthy amount of business.

However, this year’s show proved to be a devastating disappointment for the company.

“There were simply no buyers at the show,” said Mr Powell.

During the company’s heyday, it was the largest supplier of small fishing boats in the UK, selling to markets across the globe.

Since setting up, the company has built more than 14,000 craft, ranging from 11 to 27 feet, that are still in use today.

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Mr Powell said: “It’s a tragic loss for the town. We should be proud of what we have achieved but this is another one of Britain’s home-grown business that has suffered.”

Administrators will be holding a meeting on Wednesday, to determine the immediate future of the company.

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