The funding from the Development Bank of Wales has been key to carrying out our sustainability plans. Our local portfolio executive keeps in close touch and has been very enthusiastic and supportive. We aim to introduce more sustainability measures in the coming years.
Matthew Barker, Director
Dale Sailing is a family-run business in Neyland, Pembrokeshire. With the help of a loan from the Covid-19 Wales Business Loan Scheme, it weathered the challenges presented by Covid-19 and has since grown considerably.
The company is now using follow-on investment to implement sustainability measures, which will help to ensure its continued success in the years to come.
Dale Sailing’s business journey
Dale Sailing was founded in 1961 by Campbell Reynolds, who established a dependable chandlery and boatbuilding and repair service from his home village of Dale. Over the years, the business expanded into a larger premises at Brunel Quay in Neyland and has built an excellent reputation in the local area and beyond.
It now offers a variety of products and services, including an online chandlery, dry stack storage facility, boat maintenance and servicing, commercial boat transfers, and wildlife trips to Skomer, Skokholm, and Grassholm islands.
Dale Sailing remains a family business, with the team aiming to continue Campbell’s legacy of high-quality workmanship throughout all aspects of the company.
The business received a loan in 2020 from the Covid-19 Wales Business Loan Scheme to help it through the pandemic. Since then, demand has increased and the company has grown significantly, with the number of employees increasing from 33 to 67. The team purchased a new boat in 2021 to run private trips to Skomer Island, which has increased the number of trips that they offer daily.
Moving towards a sustainable future
In 2022, Dale Sailing secured a second loan from us, this time to improve its environmental sustainability. It is using the finance to install a significant solar panel system on three different buildings, and a new electric heating system consisting of two new boilers to improve energy efficiency. Some suspended ceilings will also be insulated.
Matthew Barker, Director at Dale Sailing, said “We started looking at sustainability measures 18 months ago. The payback period was seven years at the time, but with the rising costs of energy, the payback period has been brought down to three or four years. These measures will help us to save money and future-proof the business against further energy price increases. The solar panels are also a big visual statement of our commitment to sustainability and will help us to enhance our company’s reputation.
“The funding from the Development Bank of Wales has been key to carrying out our sustainability plans. Our local portfolio executive keeps in close touch and has been very enthusiastic and supportive. We aim to introduce more sustainability measures in the coming years.”
Supporting businesses to become more sustainable
At the Development Bank of Wales, we’re committed to addressing the climate change emergency and supporting the Welsh Government’s net-zero strategy.
Our finance can help businesses in Wales invest in becoming more sustainable and support their transition to becoming carbon neutral. We can also provide loans and equity for companies developing and providing innovative green products and services in Wales.
Support and links
We support our customers to improve and reduce their environmental impact by working closely with Business Wales. Their specialist sustainability advisers offer support on grants, renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and the Green Growth Pledge.
