Peter celebrates long service with leading boat builder

A business at the forefront of its industry with both innovation and investment is celebrating four decades in business.

And one of its employees Peter Mitchell is marking his own milestone this Christmas, having been a boat builder at Goodchild Marine Services Limited for 25 years.

Peter has been an integral member of the boat-building team for much of his working life, and is among 50% of staff at the Burgh Castle yard to have completed long-service.

“It’s hard to say what I’ve enjoyed the most, because I have been fortunate enough to have a varied working life,” said Peter.
“It’s a very dynamic place to work.”

Peter grew up with parents who loved boats and his interest for building vessels sparked at a young age.

He trained at Lowestoft’s International Boatbuilding Training College and worked at a Wroxham company, before going self-employed.

“I then saw the opportunity to work with Goodchild Marine and it was too good to miss. I got the job, and here I am 25 years later.

“One of my favourite boats to work on was the rebuild of the wooden built Edwardian launch Golden Plover. We did the electrical conversion, re-built the hull and fitted it out, which was a great challenge.”

Goodchild Marine was founded in 1978 by Alan Goodchild, at the age of 19.

He began building wooden fishing boats in a converted piggery, and went on to produce the first fibreglass fishing boat to go into service in Great Yarmouth.

His investment and innovative approach has continued to be the motivation behind the success of the business.

With 500 clients on the books and nearly 40 staff, the company has built a reputation for utilising the latest technology to build groundbreaking boats and products, which are exported across the world.

“I like the fact that we are not a production line. Every boat is different and presents various challenges, you can’t compare one to another and I think that is why everything always feels new and fresh,” said Peter.

“I’ve watched the business evolve and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Picture Caption: Peter Mitchell has worked at Goodchild Marine for 25 years.

Media Contact: Produced and distributed on behalf of Goodchild Marine by TMS Media. Contact Alan Goodchild on 01493 782301, alan.goodchild@goodchildmarine.co.uk or Louisa Lay, 01493 662929, louisa@tms-media.co.uk
Picture: TMS.