Sail Manufacturing
Sailmaking is still very much a hands on profession with a high labor content. While sail cutting and some racing sail construction has become somewhat automated, the biggest volume of sails produced worldwide are still of traditional sewn construction. The globalization of sailmaking started happening a long time ago, with offshore retail lofts selling mail order sails as well as working though local agents in various countries. OEM manufacturing came a little later. This is where the sail factory builds the sail to exacting designs and specifications of each individual sailmaker customer. It requires the factory to build sails to modern western standards and to be a lot more versatile as different sailmakers have different requirements. OEM manufacturing grew though the late 90's and 2000's and is a big step up from the older far east mail order sails. Now most of the big brand names in sailmaking are designing and sending at least some of their orders to OEM production. This works out very successfully due to the sailmaking R&D and knowledge of the designer who normally sails and races on a regular basis, combined with high volume efficiency, buying power and lower labor cost of the OEM production companies.
Zoom Sails works closely with our primary production partner, regularly spending time in Sri-Lanka to improve quality, overseeing special projects and fitting sails to visiting yachts. We are always updating with new techniques and continually innovating.
Zoom Sails works closely with our primary production partner, regularly spending time in Sri-Lanka to improve quality, overseeing special projects and fitting sails to visiting yachts. We are always updating with new techniques and continually innovating.
80 meter long raised floor
Sewing machines from Europe and Japan, friendly Sri-Lankan staff
20m vacuum table computer controlled pizza wheel cutter. One of 4 cutting machines which can be used for sails
Sail fitting in Trincomalee Harbor, Northern Sri-Lanka
Total working area spanning 16,000 sqm and 1300 dedicated staff. Yacht sails is one of five major product lines. Other lines include para-gliders, kite surf, wind surf and inflatable tents.
