UK-based marine engineering services provider Southampton Marine Services (SMS) Group reported a strong start to 2021 with an emphasis on fitting out and marine interior refurbishments which has exceeded its budget by 25%
The company said it has managed its business throughout the pandemic by maintaining low overheads and developing “an entrepreneurial approach” to fit out – completing numerous cruise, ferry and defence projects, both in the UK and overseas, in a Covid-secure environment.
Focusing on outfitting has been key for the newly relocated SMS Group, now based inside ABP’s Port of Southampton, located close to the new cruise terminal. The Group has made a good start to 2021, having completed a D-Class refit on behalf of Hanson Aggregate Marine in Bristol, UK. The refit of the hopper dredger Arco Dart was completed in a Covid-secure environment inside the footprint of The Bristol Port Company.
SMS head of interiors Dan Lockyer said “There are many marine outfitters in the market, both locally and internationally. My team and I have been fortunate enough to work for some of the best. These experiences have taught us so much. As SMS, we’ve worked hard to completely remove the disconnect between the estimating team and the delivery team. As a project manager at SMS you own the whole job, from start to finish. That’s the difference with SMS.”
Mr Lockyer added “Because we’re a much smaller, more dynamic team, perhaps more of a boutique outfitter, our project managers own all their works from ‘cradle through to grave’. They liaise with the customer from the outset, they quote the job, we peer-review the quote taking the time to seek improved economical solutions."
“The project manager then goes on to plan the job, manage the suppliers and the subcontractors, and then ultimately deliver the works package. This approach ensures two things: no finger pointing, and no mistakes in delivery.”
The company’s peer-to-peer review ensures accurate quotations and more realistic project plans. “With over 100 years of experience within our fit-out team, we’ve learnt plenty of real-world lessons. We know what works and what doesn’t, and perhaps more importantly, we genuinely appreciate the long-term lifetime value of key customer relationships. If it can be done, we’ll do it. If it can’t be done, we’ll be honest with the customer and together agree a solution that works. We’re playing the long-term game,” he said.
The SMS Group provides bespoke services to marine operators focusing on turnkey services and removing as much client risk as possible. This includes providing ‘Ride On Squads’ and mechanical/structural engineering services.
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