Following on from last week’s announcement that Craig Millar Sails is expanding, the good news continues. The Durban based sail loft has joined the fold of the UK Sailmakers as a manufacturing loft.

Millar who has run his own boutique manufacturing sail loft for five and a half years, joins forces with the international powerhouse, UK Sailmakers. Millar recently revealed that Jerome McLoughlin would be joining his team as Director to assist with the growth of the loft.

UK Sailmakers was founded in the USA in 1946 and comprises over 50 lofts and services centres around the world. UK Sailmakers is one of the most established groups of sailmakers globally, and now they are branching out into Africa, partnering with Craig Millar Sails as their only registered UK Sailmaker’s loft on the continent.

The two helmsmen of the loft have vast experience in a smorgasbord of yachts and sailing. Millar, best known for his Clipper Round the World Yacht Race achievements, founded Sail Africa Youth Development Foundation on his return, changing lives of youth in Durban forever. He was also the Commodore for the Point Yacht Club, calmly helming the yacht club through some turbulent times during the city’s beach fronts transformation. The accomplished sailor was recently awarded SA Sailing Colours for his results in the J22 World Championships held offshore of Durban in 2022.

The new addition, McLoughlin brings a wealth of knowledge to the partnership with his professional background in accounting, working as a Registered Auditor throughout South Africa. No stranger to water sports, McLoughlin has been sailing for nearly five decades, including competing a number of times in the most prestigious sailing event in South Africa, the Lipton Challenge Cup. He has also raced in several Vasco da Gama blue water races, and the 1989 Beachcomber Mauritius to Durban race.

Craig Millar Sails is excited to be an approved manufacturer for UK Sailmakers. With more than 100 collective years’ experience in the yachting industry available through their carefully selected, expert staff, the team focuses on quality and customer relations above all else.

Craig Millar Sails (Pty) Ltd was founded by Craig Millar in January 2018. The new loft emerged with a small production team of craftsmen and women that Millar has been working with for well over a decade prior. As a newcomer to the landscape, they have built an outstanding reputation in the industry. This exclusive loft has steadily grown as word of mouth has amplified the demand for top quality sail manufacturing. 

Following the pattern of UK Sailmakers, Craig Millar Sails will continue to offer a variety of bespoke sails for cruising and racing yachts, as well as the more specific one class design sails. Continuing with their high quality service, well-designed long-lasting sails, and their most advanced design technologies and materials, Craig Millar Sails looks forward to assisting you.

Hoisting their new branding with pride as they expand more into the global market, Craig Millar Sails is honoured to now be trading as UK Sailmakers South Africa.

All existing contact details will remain the same, and a new general email – southafrica@uksailmakers.com.