CTruk’s Business Grows with GROW:OffshoreWind

The rapid expansion of the sustainable energy sector is helping fuel the growth of CTruk, an Essex company, after it successfully tapped into GROW:OffshoreWind, a national support programme run in partnership with the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS).

CTruk designs and builds a range of high-speed marine craft and has established itself as a market leader for the provision of twin-hulled composite vessels for the UK offshore wind sector.

Established in 2010 with just three employees, the Brightlingsea business has grown to the point where it now employs 70 people, with 11 new jobs created in the last year – including two new apprentices. The firm’s annual turnover has increased to approximately £6 million.

CTruk’s success is based on its innovative approach to design and build. The company utilises a cutting–edge vacuum infusion process with composite materials, ensuring its boats are up to 40% lighter than traditionally-manufactured vessels and hence far more fuel efficient.

Its current models range from an offshore raider and wind support multi-purpose catamaran to an amphibian rescue and survey vehicle.

“Since our launch, we have successfully delivered 17 vessels for the offshore wind sector but demand has reached a stage where we need to look at ways in which we can increase our capacity. This is an important next step as the new vessels required by the sector are up to 28 metres in length,” explained Ben Simpson, Managing Director at CTruk.

“As part of this expansion, we’ll look to develop a new training centre so the necessary skills are passed on to the next generation of boat builders.”

The UK is the global leader in offshore wind, with as much capacity already installed as the rest of the world combined. The market is estimated to be worth more than £100 billion over the next 20 years, with around 30,000 new jobs set to be created over the next decade.

To increase the level of UK-manufactured goods to the offshore wind supply chains, the Government has committed funding to support businesses through GROW:OffshoreWind, which is being delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS).

The service, which is targeted at ambitious firms such as CTruk, offers English manufacturers a unique joined up package of consultancy, technology and funding support to help them take advantage of the opportunities offered by this expanding market.

Mr. Simpson continued: “The support we have received has helped us complete a 10-day programme designed to ensure our construction methods are protected from businesses looking to expand into our territories.

“We successfully developed a modular manufacturing process, increasing production efficiency and reducing build time. This obviously puts us in a strong position within the market.

“The focus now is on securing the additional space we need to sustain the growth of the business.”

Advisor Victoria Tsoi said: “CTruk has seen spectacular growth, based around a strong product offering, a highly skilled workforce and a desire to succeed.

“The marketplace it operates in is continually evolving and we wanted to ensure the support we provided through GROW:OffshoreWind helped it protect vital processes against the threat of competition.

“Ensuring it can meet requirements for producing larger vehicles is the next big opportunity and we will be assisting the management team in achieving this objective.”

GROW:OffshoreWind is shaped by industry experts and offers businesses direct access to market specialists, who can supply the technological know-how and funding support they need to succeed.

It provides a clearer understanding of the scale and nature of future demand and how to benefit from this potentially lucrative market by providing access to crucial market intelligence and relationships with the major equipment manufacturers.

Press release, March 26, 2014; Image: CTruk