Sails East¡¦s history can be dated back to 1960 while Mr. Ben Hung started a small sail loft in suburban Hong Kong under the name Ben Hung Sails. Due to the geographic advantage of Hong Kong as the international hub of sea transportations, many ships would stop by the area. The loft started from making canvas for ships and steamers. As time goes by, Ben was becoming active in Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and Hebe Haven Yacht Club in the area and began to supply sails to club members. A sail business was then established.
In the year of 1965, Ben Hung Sails exported his first set of sails to the U.S.A. Ever since after, business were going globally. We started advertising in major sailing magazines in the USA and Europe. Sailors in North America and Europe began to know the quality and price advantages of Ben Hung Sails.
In 1973, the Dutch sailmaking giant, De Vires, came to Hong Kong and formed a joint venture with Ben Hung Sails. The new company was called Ben Hung & De Vires. The loft in Hong Kong was employing more than 40 sailmakers.
In 1980, Ben Hung discontinued the joint venture as the Dutch partner retired. He then set a new milestone and started Sails East.
In 1985, Sails East formed partnership with Aerotech Sails in the States and began to design and produce windsurfing sails and accessories. Windsurfing sails had then become the 2nd core business apart from traditional keelboat sails and dinghy sails.
Three years later, the Hong Kong loft capacity was saturated. Sails East built a brand new factory in China and tripled its capacity. Ever since after, CAD and CAM were introduced and the loft had applied laser-cutting technology to its production.
Today, Sails East has been one of the largest sailmakers in the world and is employing more than 100 sailmakers with sales offices and distribution channels around the globe.
