And what a year it’s been!
Penzance Dry Dock was to due close; in July, we saved this historic site from the risk of redevelopment.
It has not been an easy undertaking and we have overcome more challenges than most new companies in our first year of business. The site was secured but had few staff and little working capital, an empty order book, no commercial borrowing or investment, and the large overheads for a barely operable site the team had to bring back up to standard.
The team have put their heart and souls into the Dry Dock with many sleepless nights, strategising, meeting stakeholders, and managing to cause a stir in the industry. The hard work has been paying off; leading to substantial growth and gaining the Dry Dock many sought-after contracts.
Completed 10 vessel projects in the Dry Dock (4 Work Boats, 3 Barges, 1 Ferry, 1 Defence, 1 Survey).
26 additional projects in Wet Dock, Tidal Dock, Mobile Repair jobs, Fabrication and Manufacturing.
Launched the first apprenticeship scheme in over 25 years at the Dry Dock.
Grown the company, creating a range of jobs, and have now quadrupled staff numbers.
Helping young people to work through the Kickstarter scheme.
Entered new markets, Offshore renewables, and Shipbuilding.
Opened Penzance Dry Dock to exporting opportunities.
Won high-value government contracts.
Utilizing all the operational spaces available.
Taking on projects that have never been seen at Penzance Dry Dock in 200 years.
Represented the UK on a trade mission to Zanzibar.
Attended the National Shipbuilding Office Roundtable.
Won the Rising Star Award and were finalists for 4 other awards.
What the Penzance Dry Dock team has achieved in such a short space of time is remarkable, and we have even more ambitious plans for the years to come.