SUNSEEKER has dramatically stepped up its recruitment plans with the announcement that it will seek 225 new staff.

The luxury boat builder had said last month that it would seek 100 skilled employees to support the introduction of several new models this year.

Sunseeker CEO Phil Popham said: “We are pleased to announce these recruitment plans which give a clear signal of the positive times ahead at Sunseeker.

“We have a clear and robust business plan to invest in long term growth and sustainable success, backed by our majority shareholder Wanda Group whose stable ownership and strong financial backing enables us to plan and invest for the future.

“Our forward order book for 2016 and beyond is looking very strong, currently up 55 per cent over the same period last year.”

He added: “Expanding our highly skilled workforce is a key part of our planned investment, and with the introduction of a number of new boat lines in 2016 we are able to recruit 225 new skilled staff to support future growth. This recruitment drive is underway and will conclude in the first half of the year, bringing our total employee number to around 2,150.”

The new jobs, at Sunseeker’s Poole and Portland manufacturing bases, would be in construction trades such as carpentry, plumbing electrical and boat building, plus engineering trades including mechanical engineering and glass reinforced plastic (GRP) laminating and finishing.

The Chinese-owned company shed around 300 administrative and managerial jobs at the end of 2014.

It made a loss of £41million that year but has said it expects to turn a profit in 2016.

Last autumn, Sunseeker launched its 131 Yacht, the first of three large models set for launch early this year.

The company, originally called Poole Power Boats, was founded by brothers Robert and John Braithwaite in 1969. The Beijing-headquartered Wanda Group acquired a majority stake in the business in 2013 and appointed Phil Popham as chief executive a year ago.