BCP's marine engineers are the "best in the world"

Local marine innovators in hot demand as leisure boat business brings £1bn per annum to UK economy

A spokesperson from the British Marine trade association has remarked that the quality and innovation of marine engineering coming from England’s South coast is second-to-none, heavily contributing to an industry worth £3.97bn per year to the UK economy.

Ross Wombwell, Head of Technical Services at British Marine comments that Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is a vital marine cluster, “with over 40 miles of coastline, 2 ports, 3 harbours and a wealth of brilliant boat designers and manufacturers”.

Poole-based marine engineers Timeless Tube, who make beautiful handrails for yachts and motorboats are part of this thriving local economy. Timeless have teamed up with local hinge experts PE Marine Designz to make bespoke stainless steel concealed gates and shrouding that are revolutionising marine design.

Timeless Tube MD Tom McMillan says: “We’re part of a pioneering collection of smaller local businesses delivering exciting design alongside the work of marine giants such as Sunseeker. High-end innovations that are used on yachts and motorboats across the globe”.

McMillan continues, “We’ve recently experienced a huge boost in demand for our marine railings – whether we’re making replacement rails for a tender boat in Christchurch or sophisticated gates for a superyacht in Monaco. There has been a notable increase in trade from the small leisure boat industry. We’re expanding our inhouse fabrication team to meet this demand.”

Timeless have recently been awarded £15,000 by BCP Council to develop pioneering new tube products for marine applications and to expand their existing range. “We’re delighted to receive this support from the Council because it recognises the importance of our work and the vital local supply chain that we are part of.” says McMillan.

Councillor Philip Broadhead, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy at BCP Council, adds:

‍“Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have some of the best talent in the marine industry in the world, and it’s time we started shouting about it. That’s why I’m delighted that we were able to award a grant to Timeless Tube as part of our Bounce Back Challenge Fund.

We’ve got a world class natural environment and a burgeoning economy to match, and we’re doing everything we can to unlock the potential of our coastline of opportunity. Supporting growing businesses such as this, in one of our vital local industries, is paramount to seeing that potential realised.”

In 2019 £1 billion was generated in the UK from new and used boat exports alone, with over 10,000 new boats produced for domestic and international markets.

‍