KEMP SAILS LIMITED
was formed in 1985 by Rob Kemp with support from his family, in fact the whole family is still working within the Company some sixteen years later!!Rob Kemp first became interested in the art of Sailmaking when he had completed his "0" levels and had the long Summer school holiday period before him. Like most young people of this age he wanted to earn some money to allow him to up-grade his Mirror dinghy and found himself a job working for a local Poole based Sailmaker
.. . .but there was a string attached i.e. that he take a position as a Trainee with day release for further studies. This was Robert’s introduction to the Industry and he has never looked back. At the age of just twenty he formed Kemp Sails and took a stand at the 1985 Southampton International Boat Show where the Company was officially launched and the very first mainsail order the Company received was for a Seal 22— owner Mike Blakestone who has come back to us for numerous sails over the years. At around this tune Rob was approached by the Shell sponsored "Livewire Competition" and along with 4,500 other hopefuls was encouraged to apply for a grant. This involved many things including the preparation of an official Business Plan, Putting forward projections as to how he perceived the business would be doing in three years time, attending extremely useful and informative meetings with volunteer professional advisors — all of which put him in good stead for the future expansion of the Company as it is today. Robert was successful in gaining the second prize in this competition which included a cheque for £300 which he put down as a part payment on his very first sophisticated sewing machine. This cheque and medal were presented to him by Victor Kiam at the Mermaid Theatre in London and the encouragement and advice given to him by this dynamic gentleman really did give him the impetus he needed to carry on in this very competitive industry.Having done so well in the Livewire Competition Rob, then twenty-three, entered the Guardian Newspaper computer competition for young entrepreneurs and this time was successful in winning the prestigious first prize of £1,000 which purchased the Company’s first computer. So it is with great thanks to both Livewire and Guardian Newspapers that the Company is trading today.
A strong work ethic, attention to detail, customer care and most importantly keeping abreast of technology has kept KEMP SAILS in the front runners of the country’s leading Sailmakers. It is still a family run business and great emphasis is given on customer support To this end the Company has prepared many Information Sheets for example on Getting the Best out of your Sails, Looking After your Sails, using a Cruising Chute, Spinnaker Handling, Trimming the Headsail, Trimming the Mainsail, Tuning the Masthead Rig, Tuning the Fractional Rig. This information is available on our Website e.g. www.kempsail.com KEMP SAILS also realise the importance of keeping in touch with fellow sailors and to this end has spent considerable time and effort in supporting Boat Associations and in fact the Seal Association was the first Association to receive this support
The Company is only too well aware that it must not become complacent and so regularly carries out market research, investigates new methods of design and construction and makes every possible effort to give our customers a high standard of service coupled with quality at a competitive price.
For further information please contact KEMP SAILS LIMITED on (01929)
554308/554378 or 554321 when one of our experienced Sailmakers will be on hand to answer your queries and to give a "No obligation" quotation including the special Seal Association Discount.