FIVE marine businesses from the county are exhibiting at the Southampton Boat Show, which starts tomorrow.
These include Williams Jet Tenders which designs and builds boats which sell for £15,000 to £100,000 from its base in Berinsfield.
Another is Bicester-based EP Barrus, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this week and plans to launch a number of new motor boats including the Quicksilver Activ 555 Cabin and Quicksilver Activ 875 Sundeck.
Other local firms at the show include boat retailer Henley Sales & Charter, Didcot teak specialist Kingsley Smythe and Watlington-based Crown Pavilions which makes luxury outdoor buildings.
Williams Jet Tenders co-founder and managing director John Hornsby said the firm saw a 20 per cent rise in turnover last year.
It builds 800 boats a year and employs 66 people.
He said: “We have bucked a lot of trends here, partly because we have the ability to design, engineer and build in-house.
“We are growing and taking on new staff at the moment.”
The firm takes on apprentices each year, as part of its ‘boat school’ where school leavers are put on a six-week course with the chance of a trainee job at the end.
Almost 600 firms will be on display at Southampton Boat Show and more than 10,000 are expected to visit the 10-day event which is in its 49th year.
The Boat Show runs until September 24. Tickets for start from £15, with two children under the age of 15 free with each adult.
To book tickets or for more information, see southamptonboatshow.com
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