International Boat Industry - December 2015

http://www.ibi-plus.com International Boat Industry | DECEMBER 2015 31

SAround a third

of Pendennis’s

workforce has

been through its

apprenticeship

scheme

TBarton Marine

runs an apprentice

scheme to pass on

skills to the

next generation

Lewmar feels

that next year

will see a recovery

in Europe, and new

product offerings will

contribute to

healthy growth

example, has 4 full time apprentices in the 64-strong

workforce, but the leader in the field is Pendennis,

which has a fresh intake of around 15 apprentices

every year. There is fierce competition

amongst West Country youngsters for

a place.

“The high standard of our

apprenticeships has already won us

two awards,” said marketing director

Toby Allies. “Currently, around a third

of our workforce has been through the

scheme. We have a 90% retention rate,

and because we widen the training to

include business studies, 17% have

achieved a management position.”

But the UK’s reputation for innovation is also a

keen weapon, with many companies using the quieter

marketplace to inwardly invest in new products

and designs. A good example is BGB Sils, a long-

established UK manufacturer that specialises in

rotating contact technology. The company has just

launched an underwater LED array that works by

induction, meaning that no holes are needed in the

hull. The Coolpoly housing is attached by an ultra-

strong underwater glue. “We’ve had a great METS,”

marketing director James Tupper said. “We have

created something that customers didn’t know they

needed.”

In summing up 2015, Pridding is upbeat,

particularly after the strong British showing at the

DAME awards. “2015 has been a positive year,” he

said. “This is our third year of consecutive growth,”

and as British design and innovation continues to

evolve, the trend seems very likely to continue.”

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