Introducing - Pryde Group Uk
9 August 2007
The rumour mill has been in overdrive these last few months, more so than usual, with talk of changes and industry shifts all related to two of the industries world leading brands Neil Pryde windsurfing and JP Australia. Finally we can make an official release of information to both confirm and dispel some of the conspiracy theories you may have been made aware of.
Following over twenty successful years of guardianship under Ultra Sport the Neil Pryde Group brands (Neil Pryde, JP, Cabrinha and Flow) will be leaving the Nottingham based set up to be taken forward under the newly established Pryde Group UK Ltd. It is with great thanks that we look to ultra Sport for all the efforts they have made in the past and it is with great optimism and expectation that we look towards the future and the impact of new direction, approach, investment and energy that will be provided by Pryde Group UK. The move brings the UK in line with Neil Pryde's international vision of having focused distribution in each of the key global markets and represents a simple evolution in the worldwide business.
Pryde Group UK, has been established in a joint venture between Neil Pryde International and Bibby Group. Logistics will be run out of Redcar in the North East, with Chris Martin (formerly Ultra Sport) handling operations in the south and Chris Lewis (formerly Typhoon) handling operations in the North.
Pryde Group UK will be looking to reinforce the brands aspirational positions as market leaders in both performance and quality. The new ranges from both Pryde and JP are set to raise the bench marks across the industry bringing new and innovative product packages to the end user, whether they be ripping in a force 7 and huge swells or just blasting across their local stretch of water.
For the UKWA racers the RS racing programme continues to be the benchmark standard to which all other brands aspire, race winning performance from a proven design team. The RS programme continues to evolve to match the demands of the racing circuits worldwide and as such has implemented a constant evolution programme, in which the RS development loft will implement improvements in a rolling production. So when you order your sails you get the most up to date performance on that very day. This eliminates late launches/delivery and enables the competitor to experience the latest RS performance all year round. In addition to RS racing sails the new RS slalom sails will also be available adding yet another quiver of winning performance to the Neil Pryde brand, with blistering speed, amazing control and event results all round. The RSX programme is another area in which we are looking to make progress in terms of supply, service and support. Working with the RYA and retailers the future for RSX and one design windsurf racing is a key area of development, to date the rolling out of the programme has experienced a number of difficulties, the new set up of Pryde Group Uk gives us the ability to react and remedy these problems and move forward. Increased fleet sizes and participation are key goals in the Pryde group's global strategy.
Pryde Group Uk's commitment to the UKWA will continue to grow and flourish and we are looking forward to working more in the future to develop and improve windsurfing for all the sports participants whether recreational, professional, team 15 or UKWA.
The official company launch will take place at Poole Windfest in September (14th-16th) where Mr Neil Pryde himself and a number of the top international sailors, along with the new Pryde group operation will be on hand to show and demonstrate all the new products and meet customers first hand.
We thank you for your continued and anticipated future support and welcome any feedback you'd like to provide/leave.
Chris Lewis.
Divisional Sales Manager.
Pryde Group UK.