Lewmar

When Len Lewery started making Tufnol dinghy fittings back in 1946, not even his inventive mind could have foreseen that his small business would develop to become one of the leading marine equipment manufacturers in the world.

John Burton acquired Lewmar and embarked on a 20-year career, turning the company into a world leader in modern yacht equipment. Lewmar attacked the high-technology world of America’s Cup racing, supplying the first AC winch package to Korura V in c.1966/68.

Through a series of acquisitions and mergers in the latter decades of the twentieth century, the Lewmar catalog evolved to include rigging, windlasses, steering components, hatches and portlights. Innovations included the Wavegrip jaw, which won the battle for the self-tailing winch market. Lewmar’s distribution extended around the globe, and the expertise and success of the company won recognition with the attainment of three Queen’s Awards.

The 1983 America's Cup was the occasion of the first winning challenge to the New York Yacht Club, which had successfully defended the cup over a period of 132 years. An Australian syndicate representing the Royal Perth Yacht Club fielded the Australia II, against defender Liberty, and won the match races to win the America's Cup. Both boats had Lewmar winch systems.

In 1993, the Lewmar ocean block won the DAME Award with its bayonet fixing. The revolutionary block won the prestigious award due to its improved performance and reduced weight.

Lewmar supplied winches and deck hardware to Gipsy Moth IV as part of the restoration project that commenced in Cowes, England. Lewmar winches were on the boat when Francis Chichester undertook his classic solo circumnavigation in 1967. Lewmar was fully involved in supporting, assisting, fitting and servicing the hardware.

Lewmar won the prestigious DAME Award for the second time with its OneTouch winch handle. The awarding DAME jury described the OneTouch handle as 'elegant in concept, aesthetically pleasing, strong on detail design, well executed, effective and a great step forward.

In 2010 Lewmar unveiled a new EVO winch at the 2010 METS tradeshow. Legendary quality combined with state-of-the-art technology ensured Lewmar’s new EVO winch range was the most advanced yet.

Lewmar manufactured cutting-edge carbon winches for Hetairos, a 67-metre yacht in which ultra-modern features and technical innovation were combined with a classical look. Lewmar was keen to meet the multiple challenges, amongst which were designing, engineering and manufacturing a complete set of on-deck winches and under-deck line management systems to control the 4,000 square meters of main sail, mizzen and blade sails.

Lewmar was nominated for the prestigious DAME Award for the Captive Reel Windlass CRW400.

Lewmar announced the completion of its ultra-modern tempering plants in the UK for marine glazing.

Lewmar announced earlier in the year the completion of its ultra-modern tempering plant for marine glazing. State-of-the-art equipment was added for the commissioning of the expansion project, including a rotary press bender and additional grinder and printer.

Lewmar supplied its first production of electric sunroofs to Sunseeker for their latest yacht, the 74 sport. This secured a full Lewmar glass set to accompany the Lewmar hatch, heavy windlass and anchoring package.

Lewmar was named winner of the ‘Collaborative solution between a production boat builder and its supply chain partner’ category at the 2018 Boat Builder Awards, for glass products developed with Prestige, Sunseeker and the Hanse Group.

Lewmar is a proud member of the Lippert family. It has been transformed beyond recognition from the small company established by Len Lewery and Leslie Marsh in 1950. Yet the spirit of innovation and engineering excellence has remained constant. Today, Lewmar is the premier marine equipment supplier, designing, manufacturing and distributing innovative, high-quality control solutions worldwide.