RS Sailing is to move production of its RS Aero in-house following the appointment of administrators to current builder MTAG Composites.
MTAG, based in Lincolnshire, employed around 120 staff and was a leading composite manufacturer in the UK.
The company, which was founded in 2008, specialised in the manufacture of high quality phenolic, epoxy and polyester glass fibre and carbon fibre reinforced plastic mouldings with a diverse product mix for customers within the aerospace, rail and leisure industries.
The company manufactured the Pulse 63 for RS Sailing and also carried out the prototyping and development of RS Sailing’s Aero and manufactured the craft for the last ten years.
The RS Aero will be manufactured by the RS Marine Group’s team at the boatbuilder’s facilities in Cowes, Isle of Wight, alongside the RS21, RS400, and RS500.
It’s been humbling to watch the RS Aero go from strength to strength over the last decade.
Alex Newton Southon, co-CEO, RS Marine Group
RS says MTAG’s fall into administration gave RS Sailing the opportunity to invoke change with the move ensuring tighter quality control, outstanding final products, a lower carbon footprint and decreased build costs which will be passed onto the customer.
New hulls will start being manufactured from Cowes in the autumn of 2024, ready for delivery in early 2025.
“I’ve been lucky enough to spend time racing in the RS Aero fleet, be on the ground at the Olympic Trials and be a part of the team that designed the boat from the outset, it’s been humbling to watch the RS Aero go from strength to strength over the last decade,” said Alex Newton Southon, co-CEO, RS Marine Group.
“Manufacturing moving to Cowes is a proud moment for RS Marine Group and presents us with an opportunity to reinforce the qualities that the RS Aero build is famed for: performance, durability and modern building techniques.”
