22.08.06
Marine companies make waves with merger
 Two
marine companies with a total of more than 50 years'
experience in catamaran development and moulding have merged
with the help of Business Link. They aim to achieve a £1million
turnover and build up to 50 two-hulled boats a year.
Blue Boats, on Bryher in the Isles of Scilly, and GRPro
of Redruth and Camborne, have merged to become Powercats Ltd,
based at Pool, near Redruth, where the boats are built.
The merger cements a relationship which began three years
ago when Barry Philpott, of Blue Boats, who designed and developed
Powercats, started to work with Jeremy Rainford, of GRPro,
on laminating and moulding the boats.
Business Link Devon and Cornwall personal business adviser
Brent Treloar helped with sourcing financial advice for the
new company which employs 16. He also assisted with the business
plan and with a project to assess market opportunities.
"His input was invaluable," said Mr Philpott,
who is managing director of the new firm, while Mr Rainford
is production director.
"We had outgrown the facilities on Bryher where
I have run the boatyard and built boats for 20 years and it
was the right time and the right way forward to merge. We
have now formally come together to continue building these
exciting two-hulled powered boats which provide the ultimate
in stability and smooth ride and the perfect family and working
boat.
"Already they are the chosen vessels for one of
the UK's busiest marine organisations, the Environment
Agency – now it's the leisure boater's chance
to own and love one of these exciting and adaptable craft."
Brent Treloar said: "Powercats are a good example
of how Business Link can help Cornwall-based high growth businesses
achieve their aims. Operating with innovative products in
niche growing markets, they can be encouraged to focus on
exploiting their opportunities through the simple but highly
effective trinity of strategy, marketing and team."
Powercats come in two sizes: 525, voted the Innovative Boat
of the Year at the 2006 IPC Media Marine Awards, and 805.
Both Blue Boats and GRPro will continue to service their
existing customers in the Scillies and Cornwall.
"To date we're satisfying our order book
and are planning to expand to build up to 50 Powercats a year
and achieve a £1million turnover," added Mr Philpott.
"The first year of any business is one of the most important
and Business Link's guidance in helping us to structure
this has been invaluable."
For further information please contact Carolyn Daw of the
Marketing PR Company on 01566 771863 or email cdaw@marketing-pr.co.uk.
The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly has invested in Business Link through the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European
Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).
Editor's notes:
Business Link provides a free information and enquiry service
via an information gateway on the web www.bldc.co.uk
and via the telephone on 0845 600 9966 to all businesses and
those considering starting a business. Additionally It provides
impartial business advice and support through a network of
partner organisations, which it co-ordinates, and a register
of independent business practitioners. Business Link for Devon
and Cornwall delivers the national Business Link service to
the region under contract from the South West RDA.
Business Link has received Objective One investment (European
Regional Development Fund and EAGGF) to help companies improve
performance and grow.
Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439
cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk
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