SMS Group – new year, new projects, new colleagues

Southampton-based ship repairer the SMS Group has started the year with a focus on core customers and several major refit wins. The business, Southampton’s leading ship repairer, has begun 2019 on a role by winning several new projects and several major refits. Whilst still focusing on the core business, the company is determined to enter new markets this year.

Southampton-based ship repairer the SMS Group has started the year with a focus on core customers and several major refit wins.

The business, Southampton’s leading ship repairer, has begun 2019 on a role by winning several new projects and several major refits.  Whilst still focusing on the core business, the company is determined to enter new markets this year.

SMS, based at Ocean Quay in Belvidere Road, Southampton, has an enviable reputation as specialists in ship repair, marine engineering, and major fabrication projects in the commercial marine, defence and superyachts sectors.

Ben Rowe, Fabrication Manager for SMS, said: “Having worked hard last year to enhance our reputation locally, we’ve won several major marine civils contracts locally.

“This is due to both our experience and ‘can do’ attitude.

“I genuinely believe that we’ve attracted some of the best local tradesman and we’re now seeing the benefits of their expertise and our company approach to team work.”

He added: “These fabrication projects are supporting key maritime infrastructure and it’s great work to be involved with, offering both longevity and security to the team here at Ocean Quay.”

Dave Chaffers, Mechanical Manager for SMS, said: “The big news is the three major mechanical refits that we’ve won.

“We’ve over 30 time-served marine mechanical engineers in the business now, which is pretty unique on the South Coast.”

He added: “We’re currently simultaneously undertaking several 12,000hr overhauls on Stork-Wartsila FHD 240s, 30,000hr overhauls on Ruston RK270s, the 20-cylinder engines, and several overhauls on Scania D12 generators.”

Mechanical engineering is a major focus for the SMS Group.

The mechanical expertise that the business now has is all encompassing, with national coverage available from the business’s seven primary sites in Lowestoft, Dover, Portsmouth, Southampton, Poole, Bristol and Plymouth.

From the sites, the SMS Group will also be offering interior outfit in 2019.

Dan Lockyer, who joined SMS after Christmas as Outfit Manager, said: “The last 24 months have seen SMS benefit from unrivalled growth and success in the commercial marine space.

“We’ve exemplary relationships with very many ferry operators, commercial ship operators, superyacht owners and defence contractors.

“We’ve interior outfit expertise in-house and my job is to promote that service to all our existing customers.”

He added: “Having worked on some huge cruise and ferry projects over the past few years, I’m confident that this is a service our existing customer base needs, and that we can price competitively and deliver professionally.”

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