Longtime kayak-maker Pyranha of the UK stirred up some waters recently with an announcement on social channels that the company has “taken the difficult decision to pause production of rotomolded PE canoes and kayaks, and are well on the way towards relocating production ready for early 2027.”
While the move doesn’t by any means indicate a stop of production, the “suspension” means it is planning on moving through existing inventory while it is working on the relocation.
The announcement has garnered quite a few comments from longtime Pyranha loyal consumers. “Much love to the entire team,” reads one. “Pyranha has a massive legacy and has played a huge part in shaping the sport as we know it. Extremely grateful for all you do to support so many aspects of the paddle sports community…”
The move also echoes similar manufacturing headaches the rest of the industry is dealing with, from the increasing costs of plastics and shipping to labor. According to a recent story in Paddling Business magazine, Shane Benedict says Big Adventures, maker of Liquidlogic kayaks, is facing a 30 percent increase in plastic costs, largely tied to diesel prices, and estimates the cost of goods at roughly 25 to 35 percent of retail price, depending on the model.
Hopefully, Pyranha can navigate these turbulent waters to begin production again soon.
Read the Entire Announcement from Pyranha Below
“After gauging the market these past few months and looking ahead to what we anticipate the shape of the industry to be in the coming year, it is clear that we must make some changes ourselves now, rather than hold on for the world to change back to what we’ve known in the past.
To do so, we have taken the difficult decision to pause production of roto moulded PE canoes and kayaks, and are well on the way towards relocating production ready for early-2027.
For Pyranha, P&H, and Venture it is important to us that this change is made to continue striving for better performance, service, and above all, quality. There should, in fact be several, quite thick silver linings – not least, greater ease of distribution worldwide.
Production of composite sea kayaks at the P&H workshop in Derby will continue uninterrupted.
There are good stocks of PE models at our warehouses in both the UK and US to tide us over through this period of transition, including servicing all current orders across all markets. Many of our worldwide network of independent, specialist retailers also have considerable stock availability themselves. We will continue to sell exclusively through these independent retailers, and we ask that, as always, you contact them in the first instance with any product enquiries.
Happy paddling, Pyranha / P&H / Venture
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