The Devon based design engineering firm, Supacat Group, has acquired local heavy fabrication and machining specialist, Blackhill Engineering Services Ltd, providing Supacat with the ability to manufacture large structures. Supacat is part of the South West Marine Energy Park and the new capability will strengthen the South West’s supply chain in the Nuclear, Renewable Energy and associated markets.
The acquisition expands the in-house capability and capacity available within the Supacat Group and complements Supacat’s key activity of providing innovative engineering solutions to the challenges faced by specialist industries. Blackhill adds heavy engineering to Supacat’s existing light to medium engineering. It brings a 60 ton lifting capability, a rare resource in the region, and an additional 28,000 sq ft of workshop space divided between fabrication, assembly and a large and small machine shop.
“The acquisition of Blackhill positions Supacat to collaborate on significantly larger renewable energy, nuclear and marine projects in the South West. It underlines our commitment to continuing the expansion of our renewables and marine business through appropriate teaming agreements, joint ventures or acquisitions,” said Nick Ames, Managing Director of Supacat Group .
Supacat has already transferred some of its marine and renewable engineering projects to Blackhill’s Woodbury site, including the production line for the RNLI Launch & Recovery System and refurbishment work for the BOLT wave energy converter “Lifesaver” for Fred. Olsen Ltd.
This year Supacat has expanded its marine business through the acquisition of MDS Marine and BUKH Diesel UK, creating a one-stop shop for sales and support in the inboard and outboard propulsion market for 200HP to 500HP diesels powering ribs, tenders, utility vessels and super yachts. Supacat also signed a new distribution agreement with BUKH A/S Denmark to create a new sales & customer support service for the UK & Ireland marine engine market. Last year Supacat launched its revolutionary Supacat Multi-purpose Vessel 24 (SMV 24), which has since secured James Fisher Marine Services as launch customer with the first vessel making its maiden charter in May.
[mappress mapid=”14958″]
Press release; Image: Supacat