Tauranga sailmaker Sam Burton has re-named his business following a brand consolidation exercise at Doyle which has seen Sam determine his customers are his future, not a brand.

“I strongly believe the local market is more important than world domination,” says Sam.

It means Burton Sails is not limited to one supplier for materials, and there are more advantages and opportunities for customers.

“For us, it’s an opportunity to cement our loyalty to the local customers,” says Sam.

With the arrival in Tauranga of former Team New Zealand and America’s Cup winning sailmaker Matt Hibbard, Burton Sails is expanding its offering to marine covers as well as sails.

“We can work together in the same building and offer a better and more integrated package to our customers,” says Sam. Matt’s been sailmaking for around 14 years and brings extensive experience in the marine cover industry. That includes dodgers, canopies, clear surrounds, launch work, and fly bridge covers.

“We are going to be ramping up the covers side of things and aim to offer our customers a full package service, making it nice and easy to get all your sail making and covers needs in one place.

“We work as a team here at Burton Sails and help out each other when the job requires it. We are happy and excited to be able to employ a young and enthusiastic apprentice starting in December, who will have the luxury of learning both sail work and cover work.”