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Steve Sawford Marine
SSM Ltd: 'the UK manufacturers'
SSM Ltd (Steve Sawford Marine Ltd) is the UK manufacturer of the Access Dinghies, and was the first manufacturer outside of Australia.
Steve outside SSM factory in Titchmarsh, Northants.
Steve Sawford, aged 31, was working as a skilled carpenter and boat fitter at Fairline Boats in Oundle, England in 1998, when Chris Mitchell came to the UK seeking a suitable small business to take on the supply of Access dinghies to the UK market. Seizing the chance to branch out alone, Steve and Ron put together a business plan which secured them the contract from Chris, and set up production in what was originally a farm barn, rented from Boughton Estates, a beautiful country estate in rural Northamptonshire in the heart of England.
Jason (left) & Steve (right) building "Tigger"
With the shared directorship of his father, Ron Sawford, and more recently the skilled labour of Steve's cousin Jason, the business is going from strength to strength. In April this year (2002) Steve's father Ron, who has 36 years experience in senior management in industry, including 20 years managing a charity called Teamwork for people experiencing a wide range of disabilities, plans to also move to work for the business full time. With Ron's wife, Jackie, acting as 'secretary', the business remains firmly in the family.
There are now active fleets of Access dinghies all around the UK, and a highly competitive Access 'traveller series' of sailing events for Access sailors. These are organised by the UK branch of the Access Dinghy Association, in which the Sawfords play an active part.
Steve and Ron are keen sailors themselves, sailing Dart 15 catamarans at Rutland Water, and actively competing in the Dart 15 racing circuits. Steve has himself been Dart 15 UK Inland Champion, and to date his best result in the Dart 15 UK Nationals has been 4th. He has also has experience in 'buddying' people with physical disabilities on a voyage on the HMS Tenacious.
SSM Ltd is a growing family business dedicated to making 'Sailing for All' truly possible. Their enthusiasm for the Access Sailing Systems is boundless and they plan to promote 'Accessible Sailing' to an ever-wider range of groups, clubs and people during the months and years to come. We are keen to work alongside Access manufacturers and sailors throughout the world, and together we look forward to an exciting future.
Ron Sawford with nephew Robert, who is also a keen Access Dinghhy sailor
Steve Sawford
SSM Marine
15 Drydens Close
Titchmarsh
Northants NN14 3DD
Phone: 01536 330477
Fax: 01536 330 520
List of Access Dinghies in U.K. and Ireland
Copyright © Access Dinghies, 2002-2005