Sunbeam Yachts has officially opened its new 7,000-square-metre shipyard in Munderfing, Upper Austria, expanding its production capacity after more than 75 years of yacht building in the region.
The family-owned company officially opened the facility in front of around 300 guests from politics, business and the company’s wider network. A further 7,000 square metres of adjoining land is available for future expansion.
The new site replaces Sunbeam’s long-standing production base in Mattsee and brings manufacturing, testing, storage, logistics and administration together in one location.
The company says the move is intended to shorten handling and transport times, improve workflows and support consistent build quality.
Optimising workflows
Facilities include a large production hall with an integrated test basin and sprinkler system, modern offices, technical infrastructure and dedicated storage and logistics areas. A separate 1,200-square-metre hall provides winter storage and short-term production buffering.
Sunbeam currently produces six sailing yacht models, with a workforce of around 30 people. The business is led by managing director Andreas Schöchl, the third generation of the founding family to run the company.
“With the new building, we are not only creating space for state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, but also the conditions to fundamentally optimise our workflows,” said Schöchl.
“This is a significant step into the future for Sunbeam Yachts – and a clear commitment to Austria as a business location.”
The investment continues a company history spanning almost 80 years. Sunbeam says the enlarged site would allow it to develop production while retaining its focus on lower-volume, customised yacht building rather than mass manufacture.
The shipyard has described its operating principle as ‘value over volume’, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, individual specifications and controlled production.
