Hyde Sails, one of Europe's largest sail makers, announced today an amalgamation with Ullman Sails UK. The deal creates, the manufacturers claim, the biggest sail making company in the UK and brings Ian Simkins, principal and founder of Ullman Sails UK, into Hyde's Hamble operation.

As a majority shareholder of Ullman Sail UK, Simkins deal with Hyde incorporates his neighbouring Hamble sail loft into part of Hyde's big boat facility; this move results in the only dedicated service loft for big boat sails on the river Hamble. Hyde Sails opened a new sail loft on the waterfront at Hamble Yacht Services for the manufacture of big boat sails in January 2001. Its new loft is equipped to service and repair sails from dinghies to Volvo 60s. "The inclusion of Ullman Sails' customer base and depth of experience will provide both Hyde and Ullman customers with the very best design, sail making technology and service capability," explains Kevin Sproul, Hyde's marketing director.

Key Ullman personnel will be integrated with the existing Hyde team, and Ian Simkins will continue to offer a personal service to all existing Ullman customers. "For my current customers it will be business as usual," Simkins reassures. "This venture will allow me to concentrate on offering my many long-standing customers even better service. I am also looking forward to the challenge of adding value to the Hyde manufacturing trademarks of quality and consistency".

Hyde Sails manufactures over 10,000 sails per year and, as well as its big boat and service loft in Hamble, has a dinghy loft in Benfleet, Essex. Hyde produces sails for the likes of Performance Sailcraft, Hunter Boats and Luhrs Marine.