UK manufacturer Seaglaze optimistic on future growth

Commercial marine markets are providing greater opportunities for growth and innovation than leisure boating, according to Seaglaze Marine Windows, as confidence returns across the marine sector and customers become more decisive in their purchasing decisions.

William Mulhall says the Norfolk-based manufacturer is seeing around 60 per cent of its business coming from commercial marine customers and 40 per cent from leisure markets.

The company, which was founded in 1974, was originally established for leisure craft on the Norfolk Broads (Mulhall calls this the company’s ‘backbone’ before expanding into commercial marine applications).

Today, Seaglaze works with leisure OEMs including Princess, Oyster and Sunseeker, while also maintaining relationships with commercial shipyards and naval architects across the UK, particularly along the south coast. Mulhall says the leisure market demand appears broadly stable compared with last year.

UK manufacturing supports supply chain resilience

Fast turnaround times remain a key differentiator for the business, particularly in the commercial sector where vessel downtime can have significant operational consequences.

“A quick turnaround is a good thing,” and one of the company’s USP’s given that Seaglaze manufactures both windows and glass in-house, allowing it to respond quickly to urgent requirements.

“Realistically, if a craft is going to be out of action for a good period of time, it’ll incur a lot of penalties. We want to make sure we are ready to mobilise as and when required. We feel we can turn those sorts of things around very quickly, quicker than anybody else.”

The company is also seeing demand linked to vessel compliance and survey requirements.

“At the moment there’s quite a lot of communication and chatter in relation to Workboat Code 3. A lot of vessels are being surveyed – we want to make sure that everything we supply is in line with that.”

Seaglaze, which makes windows, door and hatches, sales are split relatively evenly between windows and doors, with windows holding a slight lead. The company manufactures in the UK.

“We’re a UK manufacturer, all of our supplies are either local or from the UK,” says Mulhall.

Commercial sector offers greatest growth potential

In terms of wider market conditions, Mulhall believes sentiment has improved.

“About a year ago, the market was going through a challenging period. A lot of people, both on the commercial and leisure side, maybe didn’t quite know where to step.

“Now there’s more renewed confidence in the market. I think we’re seeing that with the footfall here [Seawork]. We’ve had some really good inquiries and people generally seem to be in a much happier place.”

Commercial marine is excepted to remain the larger part of the business.

“There are more opportunities in the commercial field for us as a business to innovate and explore and to try. There’s always areas to look at how to produce products that give us a bit of an extra edge over competitors.

“We’re always trying to improve and expand.

“The business is in a very good position at the moment. We’re making the right steps.”