International sail-maker to open new sales location on US northeast coast

International sail-maker North Sails is opening a new sales office covering the US northeast coast. The new office, located at Newport Shipyard in Rhode Island, will open on May 1, 2019.

In a statement, North Sails said: “The team believes that this location will give grand prix, one design, multihull, cruising and superyacht customers an easy and bespoke solution for all their sail-making needs.”

Newport Shipyard serves as a yachting hub on Rhode Island, with its own cluster of subcontractors and international brands represented at the facility. It is also the site for the annual Newport Yacht Charter Show, which this year will be held from June 17-20.

The new office will operate in close cooperation with the nearby North Sails centre for service and sales, which is based in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

North Sails says that the new office will allow clients easier access to the company’s expertise and products. Clients will be able to drop sails off, have them repaired, and then picked-up without ever leaving the shipyard.

Mike Toppa, a North Sails superyacht specialist, will head up the team. A two-time America’s Cup winner, Toppa combines his vast knowledge of the industry, the players, and the products available across a broad spectrum of the market, making him the perfect fit for this new venture.

Toppa comments: “This office in the Newport Shipyard will be an advantage for our clients. It makes so much sense to enable them to drop in to talk about their needs and their sails in a place that is so easily accessible. We believe a drop-off and pick-up point here eliminates a time-consuming step and makes it easier for our customers, and gives them more time to enjoy their sailing while in Newport.”

He added: “It’s hugely beneficial to be at the heart of where our clients are, to ensure that we continue to understand what they need, both now and also for the future.

Ken Read, president of North Sails, said: “Newport is a dynamic sailing hub and where our global head office is also based. It is the right time to be offering this sort of service to our clients, with so much going on this summer in Newport, including the 12 Metre Worlds, the New York Yacht Club 175th Anniversary Regatta, and so many other world-class events.

“Our vision as a company has always been to pair industry-leading products with unmatched client support,” he adds. “The shipyard office reaffirms our commitment to provide the best possible service to all types of sailors. We look forward to seeing old and new customers, and also friends and colleagues over the coming months.”