The Portadown-based Deluxe Group, known for creating experiential interiors in the leisure and hospitality sectors, has secured a £30 million contract for cruise ship interior outfitting of a new vessel in Germany.
Scheduled to set sail in the Far East in 2025, the vessel promises an unparalleled immersive experience for passengers, setting new standards in the cruise industry.
The Deluxe Group’s specialist team will be spending 12 months fitting out dining and entertainment spaces onboard the new vessel in preparation for passengers embarking on an unforgettable cruise experience next year.
Demand for the company’s services is increasing as themed and immersive entertainment venues are becoming more popular on cruise ships.
The project follows the award of a multi-venue refurbishment taking place in France within a 30-day dry dock, setting up Deluxe for its busiest year yet in the marine sector.
Prefabrication for the cruise line projects will take place at Deluxe Group’s expanded Portadown workshops, which recently benefited from a £1.5 million investment and the creation of 30 new jobs.
The company will use innovative 3D digital technology in the design and manufacturing, ensuring precision and efficiency in meeting the demanding project timelines.
Colm O’Farrell, executive chairman at the Deluxe Group, said: “Clients seeking to bring to life their imaginative concepts, now see us as a one stop shop with our in-house design, joinery and composites workshops pushing the boundaries of creative fabrication.”
The latest contracts build on Deluxe’s impressive portfolio, including its largest project to date in the USA, where a team is currently installing a thrilling experience based on a popular film franchise.
Prefabricated at Deluxe Group’s new 40,000 sq ft facility near Belfast International Airport, this attraction is set to debut next year at a new theme park in Orlando.
Over the past three years, the company (www.thedeluxegroup.com) has seen a 45% increase in export sales, with more than half of its turnover coming from international projects in countries such as Japan, Spain, and the USA.
In the UK, it is also renowned for delivering luxurious interiors for hospitality venues, high-end retail spaces, and branded residential developments like the iconic Old War Office by Raffles in London.
Mr O’Farrell added: “With our new subsidiary in Florida, the home of both the cruise and themed entertainment industries, we are well-positioned to grow our share of the expanding experience economy.”
Steve Harper, executive director of international business and skills at Invest NI, said: “Deluxe Group is committed to growing in new markets, and it is brilliant to see this new contract win build upon its impressive portfolio.
“This is an example of how the advice and guidance of our trade and in-market teams has a direct impact on a company’s export success.
“Over the last three years we have helped local companies secure contract wins worth nearly £200 million across GB & Europe. These wins not only contribute to businesses bottom line and future resilience but also help put Northern Ireland on the global stage as a provider of quality goods and services.”
