News category: hythe marine services

Sarah Powell Joins Hythe Marine As Head of Sales

Post author By admin
Post date February 25, 2021

Meet the Newest Member of The Team

With twenty-five years of sales and account management experience, Sarah Powell has quickly become a key player in the growth of Hythe Marine Services (HMS).

Her in-depth industry knowledge will lead HMS in new directions and further develop the existing client relationships that the company is built upon. We spoke to Sarah to get to know more about who she is, her career, and her goals for the new role.

Introducing Sarah Powell

Throughout her career, Sarah has held a range of roles including Strategic Director and Commercial Manager within a range of sales industries.

These roles generally involved Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and Services, covering exhibitions, finance, industrial and retail hygiene equipment and recycled aggregates. Her latest role now sees her joining the marine services industry as Head of Sales for Hythe Marine Services, part of the Hythe Group.

In her free time, Sarah loves nothing more than being out on the water.

“I am a sailor and have spent most of my life afloat in anything from small dinghies to racing yachts. I fell in love with paddleboarding 4 years ago while on holiday in France and try to get afloat most weekends, even in the winter.”

Sarah tells us she loves paddle boarding due to how much easier it is to get set up than a boat, and the fact her dog can (reluctantly) hitch a ride!

After moving down south five years ago from North Wales, Sarah loves to explore all the beautiful countryside and coastline the area has to offer.

Career Successes

When we asked Sarah about the proudest moment of her career so far, she told us “I am extremely proud of a lot of what I have achieved in my career – from winning business from major competitors, to becoming the preferred supplier for the largest players in the retail and grocery sectors.”

She also spoke about the work she put into developing relationships over the years, and, as a result, the level of trust and respect those clients have in her.

Sarah puts her success down to a focus on understanding her customers’ unique needs and challenges, in order to provide the right solutions. Sarah explained, “Success comes down to being dependable and trustworthy, and always doing what you said you were going to do. Never tell someone you can do something when you can’t.”

Using this foundation, Sarah has created relationships that evolve into partnerships. As opposed to the usual customer-supplier dynamic, this gives companies the ability to grow with their customers.

What Will The New Head of Sales Be Doing?

In Sarah’s words, “From a really solid foundation under the leadership of Josh, I want to build a strong commercial structure with which to support his existing customers and develop new relationships across new markets including the construction and renewable energy sectors.”

To achieve this goal, Sarah will be managing the relationships within the existing customer base to ensure they receive the best support and services we can deliver on a day to day basis. There will also be a large focus put on developing new relationships and growing the commercial business.

And as a crucial part of her role, Sarah will be working closely with the team at HMS. Sarah explained, “I’ll be liaising with the existing estimators, workshop teams and account managers to ensure a consistent approach and communication, all the while keeping the customer experience at the forefront of our minds.”

Sarah’s Goals and Vision for Head of Sales at HMS

Sarah has significant experience in creating and implementing a commercial structure from scratch. And although HMS is a little smaller than the large organisations Sarah has previously worked for, the process and deliverables are all scalable. Sarah told us, “The foundations and ethics are of the same importance whether you are a large bluechip company or an SME.”

Sarah joked that the only difference at HMS is that there may be more ‘characters’ at HMS than anywhere she’s worked previously!

Speaking on her vision for her role, she explained, “I want to create and embed a very strong commercial structure within HMS that ensures we provide the very best service and support for our customers now and for the future. Integrity, trust, resilience and reliability are key factors for us and our customers.”

As an agile, innovative and intelligent business, HMS has a lot to offer across a wide range of industries. Sarah is particularly passionate about the planet and the future of sustainable and renewable fuels.

HMS is ideally placed geographically, technically and operationally to be able to support these sectors on and offshore, and Sarah and the team see that as a large part of HMS’ future.

Get in touch with the team through our contact form, or connect with Sarah on LinkedIn directly to discuss your upcoming projects.

Hythe Marine Services’ First Apprentice on His Move to Hythe Building Services

Post author By admin
Post date January 21, 2021

Henry Barker was one of the first apprentices hired by Hythe Group’s original company, Hythe Marine Services. Alongside Rhys Smallman, Henry joined the team as an Apprentice Pipefitter and Welder in September 2012 just after finishing school.

After completing his apprenticeship, Henry became full time with Hythe Marine Services, until his recent move to Hythe Building Services.

We spoke to Henry to find out about his career, company changes and the importance of personal growth.

Henry’s Career at Hythe Group

Although Henry’s apprenticeship with Hythe Marine Services started in September 2012, this wasn’t the official beginning of his career. Henry explained, “Luke Fitzgerald (Director of Value Engineering) used to bring me into the HMS workshop on Saturday mornings so I could gain experience. This opportunity led to an offer for an apprenticeship position once I finished school.”

Henry’s Pipefitters Apprenticeship lasted for four years. During the first year, Henry completed his Level 2 NVQ at PETA, an engineering college, before spending six months onsite with Hythe Marine Services. Over the final three years, while Henry was completing his Level 3 NVQ, a PETA assessor would visit monthly to determine his progress.

Throughout this time, Henry was also working toward his Level 3 City and Guilds qualification at Southampton City College.

Henry told us, “I completed my apprenticeship in the summer of 2016. Since then, I have worked on numerous projects for HMS. Most notably in Portsmouth dockyard but I’ve also worked at Southampton General Hospital, Whitman’s Laboratories and in Italy for two weeks working on a superyacht.”

In 2019, Henry moved from Hythe Marine Services to Hythe Building Services.

Changing Sectors: From the Marine Industry to Building Services

Since his move in 2019, Henry has worked on various projects at different sites across the south coast, and in HBS’ fabrication workshop.

When asked why he decided to move companies, Henry said, “After working mostly in Portsmouth dockyard for seven years, I wanted to experience a new challenge and see what the outside world was about. Luckily for me, that opportunity was there for me at HBS, who were happy to take me on.”

Henry will be using the welding and pipefitting skills learned during his time with Hythe Marine Services, as they are still a fundamental part of his role. However, this career move also offers the opportunity to learn new skills.

“The thing I look forward to most about working with Hythe Building Services is the opportunity to be working at different places. Although some of our projects are fairly long, it’s nice to get out and about on the different sites. I enjoy seeing where all the pipework actually goes and how all the different systems are put together.”

Apprenticeships with Hythe Marine Services

Although the companies are separate entities, it’s important for them to have strong cross-sector relationships. When employees move across companies, it forms a new link between each team. These connections are crucial for the strength of Hythe Group as a whole.

Similarly, the experienced generation passes down their knowledge and skill to the younger employees and apprentices. Without this, decades of expertise would be lost.

Henry is a prime example of the value in educating young people in trades. Henry had the opportunity to go to college to learn his trade, whilst working on jobs alongside experienced workers. This involved a lot of hard work on Henry’s behalf to get to where he is today. However, he also recognises the role his fellow team members had in his success.

Henry told us, “I owe a lot of praise to my fellow workers at HMS who put in the time and effort to help me get to the stage I’m at. Hard work and a positive attitude are still needed, and I hope I set a good example to my fellow workers.”

If you’re interested in finding out more about apprenticeships with Hythe Marine Services, take a look at the following articles:

How has Hythe Marine Services Evolved over the years?

We asked Henry whether the company has changed over his career. He told us, “HMS has evolved massively since I first joined the company. It was a relatively small company back when I first started, and over the years it’s grown a lot, with the open projects seemingly increasing every year. The company has welcomed many new faces since I’ve been there, and each one of them has helped to push the company in the direction it’s at today.”

Henry also mentioned that he believes Hythe Group is different from a lot of other companies because of the diverse amount of work the group of companies undertakes, and the endless opportunities available to people. He explained that there are always new things to be learned, and new experiences available somewhere within the company.

Read more about the History of Hythe Group.

Interested in working with the Hythe Group team or enquiring about our services? Get in touch today.

Senior Weld Inspector Paul Stone becomes European Welding Specialist

Post author By admin
Post date January 12, 2021

Anybody with a drive for continuous personal development will be well situated at Hythe Group. This is certainly the case for Paul Stone, a long-standing member of the team, who isn’t planning on putting down the books anytime soon.

In his latest achievement, Paul Stone, Hythe Marine Services’ (HMS) Senior Welding Inspector, has obtained European Welding Specialist status with The Welding Institute (TWI).

Having this qualification has given Paul additional industry expertise, allowing him to advise and oversee welding processes and technology.

We spoke to Paul to find out what went into obtaining this certification, what it means for his career, and the opportunities it creates for HMS as a company.

Becoming a European Welding Specialist with The Welding Institute

“TWI is the world’s largest provider of training in non-destructive testing, welding, welding inspection and a host of allied disciplines. Training with TWI leads to internationally recognised qualifications, delivering tangible benefits to individual careers and increasing business capabilities.” – The Welding Institute

Gaining this internationally recognised qualification isn’t an easy feat. Paul completed five separate modules on-site at TWI, on topics including materials and their behaviour, design, construction, and fabrication.

As a Senior Weld Inspector, Paul has a considerable amount of experience and industry knowledge of welding. This new qualification expands on his existing expertise, adding an extra layer of assurance for the team and customers of Hythe Marine Services.

Paul explained, “The course without a doubt was valuable to me. I learnt a lot of extra things about different welding processes. It’s good welding knowledge to have for the company and myself, plus I have the course materials for myself and the team to refer back to on future projects.”

How will Paul’s European Welding Specialist Qualification Impact his Career?

When asked about what becoming a European Welding Specialist means for his career, Paul told us, “On a personal level, we always want to try and better ourselves. I actually wish I’d done it twenty years ago. If I had my time again, I would have gone on to become a Welding Engineer.”

Previously, after obtaining his senior weld inspector certification, Paul stopped going after new development opportunities. But adding this newest string to his bow has kickstarted him to start learning again.

In true Hythe Group spirit, Paul commented on how his drive to learn sets a good example for the younger staff. They can see from Paul that he’s still wanting to learn new things and continue to develop industry knowledge, encouraging them to follow in his footsteps.

Read more about Paul’s career, expertise, and history with the marine industry in our article Get To Know Hythe Marine Services’ Head of Welding.

What does this Achievement Mean for Hythe Marine Services?

Having European Welding Specialist status gives potential customers and existing customers confidence that HMS employ people with a strong knowledge of welding processes.

Having a dedicated workforce that is interested in continual improvement also gives the company assurance in their staff. Soon, Paul is hoping to complete his European Welding Technologist qualification.

Paul said, “Going back to when I first joined HMS, we were a small team and over that period we’ve grown as a company. We have more welders and plater fabricators that are doing welding tasks, and they’re getting their qualifications as well. I think it’s important for our staff to have official education behind them as it gives potential and existing customers confidence in our work.”

Read about the importance of staff training in our recent news article, Hythe Marine Services Welders Achieve Certified Visual Weld Inspector Status.

Personal Development and Training at Hythe Group

Paul commented that the training staff are put through at Hythe Group is second to none. If a member of staff is interested in doing a course that’s beneficial to the company and the personnel, the senior staff won’t think twice about it.

HMS and the newer Hythe Group companies are a team of dedicated, driven and empathetic people that are passionate about the work they do.

Paul demonstrated this unmatchable attitude, as he put the future of the company in the hands of the younger generation.

“All of us that have been here from the start have put in a lot of hard work to get the company where it is. I’m very keen for us to push on for the future, and the younger generation is the future of Hythe Group. Josh Mathias (MD) would tell you the same. We’ve got to try and push the younger generation. If you didn’t have the youngsters coming through and learning the skills of the trades, the company would crumble.”

Interested in quality assured welding services? Speak with our team via the button below.

From Pipefitting Apprenticeship to Full-Time Pipefitter

Post author By admin
Post date September 25, 2020

welder inside a pipe pipefitting marine engineering

Meet Hythe Marine Services’ latest recruit Conor Green

10% of the workforce at Hythe Marine Services (HMS), a marine engineering company, is made up of apprentices. This means the growing workforce pass down decades of in-house knowledge and industry expertise, to pursue Hythe Group’s overall goal of continuous upskilling and development.

Hythe Group as a whole promote and drive apprenticeships and training through all levels of the business and three Hythe Group companies.

One example of this is Conor Green, who recently went from pipefitting apprentice to full-time pipefitter with Hythe Marine Services.

What Does a Pipefitter Do?

Usually starting out as juniors or apprentices, pipefitters are skilled tradespeople who install, repair, maintain, assemble, fabricate and test pipe systems. These piping systems will usually include pipework, valves and pumps.

Within the marine engineering industry, pipefitters are a crucial part of the workforce as they are responsible for ship piping systems on naval and commercial vessels.

What Does a Pipefitter Apprentice Do?

A pipefitter apprenticeship program involves a combination of practical experience within an engineering company and theoretical study with a college or university.

As well as working towards their certification, pipefitter apprentices gain hands-on experience in the relevant skills required to be a pipefitter. These skills include welding, plating and fitting pipes.

Depending on the level of the qualification, the apprenticeship will be between 2 and 4 years.

Meet Conor Green

We spoke to Conor to find out what his apprenticeship involved, what it’s like to be part of Hythe Group and life as a pipefitter in the marine engineering world.

What Does a Pipefitting Apprenticeship Involve?

My apprenticeship was four years long and split up into different sections. The first year was in the dockyard completing the Level 2 part of the qualification. Year one was mainly paperwork based with four days in college and one day a week on placement.

We had lecturers going through each module, and we had different tasks to complete in the workshop to learn the basics of engineering and hand skills. On Friday’s I was with Hythe Marine Services, where I’d get hands-on experience working on jobs with the tradesmen to learn the ropes.

After that first year, I spent all of my time with Hythe Marine Services getting practical experience. Depending on what jobs were on at the time would determine who I would be working with. I’d go out on jobs with different teams, watching them work and help out, or I’d be in the workshop working on a set task to develop new skills.

Alongside this, I was completing my Level 3 NVQ in pipefitting which meant I would complete tasks according to the certification requirements, take photos and complete write-ups to document what I’d done.

In the fourth year of my apprenticeship, I’d completed all the necessary qualifications which meant I could spend my time solely gaining knowledge and getting hands-on experience with the tools and learning from my mentor.

This was my favourite year of my pipefitting apprenticeship as I could focus on the skill of the trade rather than having to worry about the paperwork.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Pipefitter?

I wanted to carry on with further education but I didn’t like the idea of just going to college. I went to some open-evenings in colleges and at the dockyard to learn about the available apprenticeships. Hythe Marine Services were there and I liked the idea of learning on the job and getting experience whilst being paid.

I chose pipefitting specifically because I liked the idea of getting to learn different skills like plating, welding and engineering.

What Was Your Favourite Project You Worked on?

During my pipefitting apprenticeship in Portsmouth, I got to work on loads of different jobs. The one I most enjoyed was in the 2nd year of my apprenticeship at Southampton General Hospital.

Myself and a group of pipefitters went to rip-out and reinstall a brand new piping system in the boiler house at the hospital.

I got to be on the job from start to finish so I saw all the aspects that went into the project, such as getting the materials, planning the installation and the piping itself.

The boiler house was still powering Southampton General Hospital, so we had to work to strict timeframes. If we needed to rip a pipe out, the boilers would get turned off so there were only certain windows we could work within.

We had to plan the day to the exact hour. For example, we would only have about a 3-hour window to complete a task because that’s how long the boiler could be off for. We had to plan during the days leading up to it how the job would be done, and complete all the pre-fab to ensure the pipes are fitted. This was so when the boilers were switched off we knew we weren’t going to overshoot it and cause major problems for the hospital.

I liked the aspect of planning and getting to see a long-term job from start to finish, and the tape-off of the project and the final handover.

What Advice Would You Give to Somebody Considering a Hythe Group Apprenticeship?

I would highly recommend it. When you go to college it’s all done by the book and it’s not real life. By doing an apprenticeship, you actually get to see what it’s like because you’re on the job. You might go to college and you might love it but when you get to the job it could be completely different. When you’re learning on an apprenticeship you see what it’s actually like and get to gauge whether it’s right for you.

I chose to stay on with Hythe Marine Services because they’re a friendly company to work for and I know the procedures, rules and how things go. After four years working with the team, I get on with them all and know them really well. I feel like there are still things I can learn and experience to get and knowledge I can gain.

What’s Your New Role?

Now I’ve got my Level 3 NVQ diploma, I’m now a qualified pipefitter. In my new role, I’ll now be getting very hands-on with all the tasks, gaining more confidence and experience in my trade.

I’ll be doing various different jobs in the trade, by myself and with others. Now I’m fully qualified it’s about getting more experience and tying everything together.

In the long term, my goal is to cement myself as a valued member at the core of Hythe Marine Services.

How to Become a Pipefitter Apprentice with HMS

Find out more about our apprenticeships, including pipefitter apprenticeship jobs, via our Apprenticeships page.

Or, you can read more about what it’s like to be an HMS apprentice from our interview with Hythe Marine Services apprentice Tyrrell Ford.

Hythe Marine Services Signs Armed Forces Covenant

Post author By admin
Post date June 26, 2020

On the 24th July 2020, Josh Mathias, Managing Director of Hythe Marine Services, signed a commitment for his company to honour the Armed Forces Covenant.

We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country. Through this covenant we dedicate ourselves to help those that have served or are serving our country, in any way we can.

An Enduring Covenant Between

The People of the United Kingdom Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their Families.

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Hythe Group sign armed forces covenant

1.1 Section 1: Principles Of The Armed Forces Covenant

We Hythe Marine Services Ltd will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:

No member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen
In some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.

2.1 Section 2: Demonstrating our Commitment

Hythe Marine Services Ltd recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by:

promoting the fact that we are an armed forces-friendly organisation;
seeking to support the employment of veterans young and old and working with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), in order to establish a tailored employment pathway for Service
Leavers;
striving to support the employment of Service spouses and partners;
endeavouring to offer a degree of flexibility in granting leave for Service spouses and
partners before, during and after a partner’s deployment;
seeking to support our employees who choose to be members of the Reserve forces,
including by accommodating their training and deployment where possible;
offering support to our local cadet units, either in our local community or in local schools,
where possible;
offering a discount to members of the Armed Forces Community;
any additional commitments Hythe Marine Services Ltd could make (based on local circumstances).
Offer additional training to all personnel who are interested in our skills & want to pursue a trade

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.

I you would like to know more please contact our team via the button below.

Hythe Marine Services Achieves CE Accreditation for Structural Steelwork

Post author By admin
Post date April 9, 2020

The CE accreditation marking of construction products became mandatory in the summer of 2014 at which time fabricators were legally required to demonstrate compliance with BS EN 1090, a required European standard for the execution of steel and aluminium structures and construction products. The associated accreditation falls under the UK Construction Products Regulations (CPR).

Driven by customer demands and a commitment to continuous improvement, Hythe Marine Services (HMS) set CE marking accreditation as a primary strategic target to attain in 2020.

Value for our Customers

As of March 2020 HMS is now approved to fabricate steel and aluminium structures to an Execution Level of Class 2 as classified within the UK Construction Products Regulations. HMS level of accreditation comprises all supporting structures made of steel up to strength class S700 and structural components made of aluminium alloys. This typically includes buildings with between 2 and 15 floors.

Each product produced by Hythe Marine Services will follow a regulated process. The European Commission website explains, “It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to carry out the conformity assessment, set up the technical file, issue the declaration of conformity if requested by the customer, and affix the CE marking to the fabrication. Only then can this product be traded on the EEA market.”

We spoke to Hythe Marine Services, Compliance Manager, Paul Lessiter, who told us, “Just having the CE marking shows your prospective customers that you have gone through very stringent process controls in your production process. It shows that you’re checking things like materials, consumables, whether machines used are calibrated, that welders are qualified, that you’re putting the right people on the right jobs at the right time, and that you can certify all of this with full traceability.”

Responsibilities of Manufacturers using CE marking

As a CE accredited manufacturer, Hythe Marine Services has an obligation in ensuring its structural steel fabrications are safe and maintain the high standard required by BS EN 1090, ISO 3834 and the EEA market.

All components that comprise the fabrication are strictly controlled and audited. Line Managers in conjunction with an appointed Responsible Welding Coordinator, are responsible for the quality of the supply chain, the qualification of the fabricators, the traceability of materials, the approval of weld processes, the contractual and technical approvals. Auditing programmes are maintained and implemented through Paul Lessiter the Compliance Manager for HMS.

Looking to the future

HMS has embarked on a clear strategy of improvement, setting objectives from within the company that drive best kaizen practices across all of its functions, engaging with the marketplace and looking at potential future demands. The Company looks to demonstrate its achievements through an ongoing commitment to associated ISO Certifications.

Would you like to discuss a project?

Turnkey Belzona Solutions with Hythe Marine Services

Post author By admin
Post date April 7, 2020

Discover the processes and training behind Belzona applications.

Hythe Marine Services (HMS) is a highly competent applicator of all Belzona Polymeric Engineering Composites and Protective Coatings. Belzona marine coatings and metal repair composites are ideal solutions for the marine industry due to its ability to withstand extreme weather and long-term wear.

“Our products are specifically designed to cope with harsh offshore conditions and have exceptional resistance against erosion and corrosion.” – Belzona

What is Belzona?

Belzona are an internationally renowned manufacturer of repair and refurbishment services as well as coating inspection and application training. Their unique technology provides solutions to wide ranging repair needs, from full turnkey systems to in-situ repairs. Their mission is to ensure customers have the correct materials and knowledge to protect against erosion, abrasion, corrosion and chemical attack.

“Our approach to refurbishment and protection avoids the need for replacement, reducing repair and maintenance costs, and above all, downtime.” – Belzona

Founded in 1952 by entrepreneur Jorgen Svendsen, Belzona is now a global leader in repair compounds and industrial coatings. Hythe Marine Services understand the importance of providing bespoke and effective solutions to every client and Belzona’s materials, applications and training help make that possible.

Belzona commented that, “In recent years the Hythe Group have invested extensively in team training which has resulted in qualified members of the Group reaching Belzona Certified Trained Contractor status.”

What is Belzona used for?

Hythe Marine Services works with Belzona to protect and repair common erosive forces such as cavitation, impingement and entrainment. This ensures long term solutions against the effects of water erosion and corrosion in marine equipment. From mechanical parts through to damaged ships or offshore structures, Hythe Marine applies Belzona processes and materials to ensure exceptional defence against harsh offshore conditions.

By utilising a wide range of rapid and cold-curing marine coatings and metal repair composites, repairs can be safely carried out in-situ, to reduce downtime and the need for hot work.

“When hot work isn’t achievable we use Belzona. Using this method we got the system back in action in a fraction of the time of conventional methods!” Hythe Marine Belzona Applicator

What makes Belzona special?

“It’s our mission to exceed customers’ needs and expectations by providing long-lasting, quality repair and maintenance solutions” – Belzona. With over six decades of experience, the Belzona specification consists of the highest standard of long-term repair and protection, with the team priding themselves on sourcing the best raw materials available, to enable the highest quality manufacturing.

The company also has a cycle of continuous improvement, working to improve the standard of Belzona material application through theoretical and practical training programs. These programs enable Belzona certified engineers at Hythe Marine Services to learn and perfect their application skills.

Verified Belzona training

Hythe Marine Services have various engineers that are extensively trained to eliminate the risks of incorrect application practices. Belzona commented that, “To enable our reputation to remain as world leaders in our field we acknowledge the need for providing training whilst working alongside contractors.”

Belzona has state of the art training facilities where courses have been developed following internationally recognised Engineering Standards. Each course enhances application skills and provides the technical and practical knowledge required to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the marine industry. After completing training at Belzona headquarters, applicators can earn their verified status.

What Belzona services does HMS provide?

Within Hythe Marine Services, Belzona materials and processes are used for a variety of projects including sea tube repairs and initial sea tube protection measurements, steel pitting repairs, cold plate bonding and rubber seals.

“It is comforting to know that when a Certified Trained Contractor such as Hythe are involved then the level of application will be of a very high standard.” Steven Stay, Independent Area Consultant, Belzona Polymerics Ltd.

Hythe’s verified applicators are trained in a vast range of Belzona services to match all project needs, such as Belzona’s ceramic erosion resistant coating, which prolongs the life of marine equipment against weathering and water wear.

Looking for Belzona solutions?

Alister O’Neill Appointed as Production Manager at Hythe Marine

Post author By admin
Post date February 29, 2020

An introduction to Hythe’s newest team member.

Alister O’Neill first came into contact with Hythe Marine Services (HMS) as a subcontracted welder whilst working for Elta Fans Ltd. After gaining years of experience working within the marine, automotive and military industries, Alister is now joining Hythe Marine as a Production Manager.

Under his new role, Alister will be taking the lead on project, team and production processes. His extensive background within the marine industry and with welding inspection will be a valuable addition to the workforce at Hythe Marine.

Hythe Marine Services’ support to customers has been continually growing at a manageable rate. Josh Mathias, Hythe Marine’s Managing Director, told us “we have been able to take our time employing the correct person to ensure the continuation of quality service and on-time delivery”.

To support this growth, a significant part of Alister’s new role will involve the Quality, Safety, Health & Environment (QSHE) side of the business. Some of his main focuses will be quality control, business and production efficiencies as well as health and safety. Alister will also have a direct line to the welding and compliance team, in order to improve and maintain high production standards.

From Apprentice to Production Manager

At the start of his working life, Alister was an apprentice at FBM Marine on the Isle of Wight. Skills gained during his apprenticeship included welding and making aluminium parts for ferries and lifeboats. After his apprenticeship, Alister worked as a chargehand, whilst continuing to provide welding services within the marine and automotive industries.

Alister’s next role was as a welder with Elta Fans Ltd., a leading manufacturer specialising in large bespoke fans. It was with Elta Fans that Alister continued to develop and obtain additional qualifications to become a Certified Welding Inspector. In this role, Alister was subcontracted to Hythe Marine where he spent a lot of time on-site working with, and getting to know, Hythe Marine Services.

Alister’s career has demonstrated the rewards of working hard and maintaining high standards. The move to Production Management was after a production-based Foreman role where Alister told us, “I worked my way up from the Foreman of a large factory to the Production Manager of a smaller site.”

After Elta Fan’s Ltd, Alister moved to his new role as a Works Manager at Veotec (now part of the Woz Group). He stayed with Veotec for 5 years, making high-end separators, eliminators and filtration equipment for the oil, gas and marine market. The role at Veotec involved managing the majority of the production process – “After design, the entire production process was down to me, all the way through to packaging, shipping and transport.”

Due to company changes, Alister turned down a new position within the company which would involve a relocation. Because of this, he completely changed his role, company and industry and moved to Eberspächer UK. At this company, Alister was the Production Manager for a multi-million pound foreign military project. His main responsibility was setting up a lean production line to facilitate the production of 1,500 units at the lowest cost. “I was there to set up a 5S, lean manufacturing production line,” and it was after this project that Alister took on the role of Production Manager at Hythe Marine Services.

In a snapshot, Alister is “Very efficient, hard-working with a strong ability to multitask.”

Prioritising quality is always at the forefront of his work and projects, and he believes that nothing substandard should ever leave a site. Customers pay for a good product and the team should be proud of everything they produce.

Years of experience in welding and an inspection background has honed Alister’s strong attention to detail. He stated, “I’m very practical. Coming from a welding background and the marine industry I understand what it takes, from the ground up, to produce a product.”

The Role of a Production Manager

For Alister, the role of a Production Manager means being the central hub of a project to find and iron out any problems. Another key aspect of the role is collating and communicating information to make everybody aware of how the products will be produced, “I see the role of Production Manager as the main link or conduit between the workforce, project and design engineers.”

Within a Production Manager role, it’s necessary to plan and react appropriately to external and internal factors. These may include changes in demand, the capacity of machine and floor and availability of skills. The overall responsibility is to ensure outputs are at the required quality, specification and within cost parameters.

As well as the Production side of the role there is a strong focus on people-management, creating a multifunctional workforce. Alister believes in investing time with people to develop their skills. In terms of allocating roles within projects, Alister said: “It’s about matching the right team to the right job based on reading people, their ways of working, and the work they turn out.”

When asked what he’s most looking forward to in his new role Alister stated, “I have a strong understanding of the marine industry, particularly within the welding and fabrication services side of the business and am looking forward to getting more involved in these areas!”

Bespoke machining services at Hythe Marine

Post author By admin
Post date January 28, 2020

Meet the man in the machine shop.

Being part of the Hythe Marine Services (HMS) team means working alongside highly skilled individuals who are leaders in their fields. Just within the machining side of the business alone there are a huge range of in-house abilities and specialist knowledge. Some of the services provided include bespoke Precision Machining and CNC Profiling for one-offs and small batch capabilities.

Every single project has rigorous quality checks, both throughout and after completion. As well as this, the company focuses on continuous improvement for procedures and staff development.

Imagine being given a piece of machinery you’ve never seen before and then being asked to recreate it within a couple of days. This is one of the common challenges faced by the Hythe Marine Machine Shop team.

The Man in the Machine Shop

Before joining Hythe Marine seven months ago one member of that team had been in the aircraft industry for twenty-one years. Straight out of school he began his apprenticeship with Highbury College and J M Automatics. During these four transformative years he developed skills he still uses on a daily basis. These years included his first experiences of tool-making, and learning how to replicate, in precision detail, a bespoke object.

Since the start of this young machinists career, he has worked hard to continually learn and perfect his skills, stating that, “The harder you work on a project, the more pride you have when you finally see the finished result!”

This drive and dedication meant it wasn’t long before he was on the production line where projects were varied and challenging, building parts for helicopters and aircraft as well as pretty much any other bespoke items requested by customers. After many great years at J M Automatics he felt it was time for new challenges and for the last 7 months has been a Mechanical Fitter/Machinist at Hythe Marine Services.

The Jump From Aircraft to Marine Engineering

Moving to a new industry and company after 21 years takes courage. Gone was the familiar environment and in its place were dockyards, boating terminology and Navy abbreviations. Initially, this change was a struggle but the welcoming atmosphere at Hythe Marine meant this machinist quickly settled in and became part of the team.

Daily Life at Hythe Marine

Even with years of experience in the tool making industry, there are always new problems to solve. Working at Hythe can be a high-pressure job with numerous teams working in tandem to get the job done. Much of the work is an internal process with raw materials coming in and leaving as high quality finished products.

“There are the welders who work with the Pipe Fitters, who work with the Fabricators, who work with the Machine Shop. There are so many trades coming together to create a great finished product. Every day is a learning curve, even to me who’s been doing this for 22 years. A lot of the projects are bespoke one-offs that require reverse engineering to recreate an object. This process of working out the mechanics behind an item is something I’ve enjoyed since childhood.”

What goes on in the Machine Shop?

Being a Hythe Machinist involves a lot of work on the manual milling machine, which uses cutters to create horizontal and vertical profiles, and drill or tap holes.

“My previous company required me to work to extremely precise, millimetric accuracy measurements. Precision that is still present in my work at Hythe.”

What the Hythe Marine machine shop is working on often depends on customer’s drawings, specifications and timeframes. The wide range of knowledge and skills within the team means Hythe Marine are able to manufacture and install all types of systems. This spans from complex pipe systems through to structural and non-structural fabrication.

Occasionally the team comes across parts that are unknown, so there are always opportunities to learn and improve.

“If the customer wants it, and Hythe is able to do it, we just get it done.”

What’s it like to work at Hythe Marine?

When asked what to say to someone considering working at Hythe Marine, they simply said, “If there’s an opportunity at Hythe Marine then grab it with both hands and don’t let go. Training and opportunities here are invaluable.”

A clear theme from this chat was the familial atmosphere at Hythe. From his very first day, it was clear he felt like part of the team, with everybody always ready to help each other out. “If you’re ever struggling with something, somebody will always stop and help you out. From the apprentices to the experienced heads, they all have a minute to help. Everyone’s friendly and working together. It’s a really nice place to work.”

Heritage, history and growth: a lifetime of naval architecture design

Post author By admin
Post date October 14, 2019

Hythe Marine Service (HMS) is the leading turnkey provider of design, engineering and repair services to the marine, civil engineering and waste management sectors.

This family run business is known predominantly for their delivery of quality engineering and fabrication work, combined with their ability to seemingly drop everything to complete what others might refer to as “mission impossible” projects.

What many people don’t realise however is that there is a hidden gem within this modest business. In-house HMS retains an experienced team of shipbuilding engineers and designers, with full SC clearance, and a vast background in commercial and MOD projects. Design talent that dates right back to the 1960’s.

The roots of Hythe Marine’s relationship with design, many people may know better, under the company names Mathon Engineering, and then later as Avrotech Design. Two companies with a rich historic connection to naval architecture that were absorbed by HMS a number of years ago.

Who were Mathon Engineering and Avrotech Design?

Mathon Engineering, was set up in May 1961 and specialised in the supply of contract designers to the government, who then set them to work on varied projects; such as the construction of Type-45 battle ships, right through to submarines and super yachts. Mathon Engineering worked closely with the MOD, as well as warship design and construction company, Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd.

Mike Cook-Yarborough, who worked for Mathon Engineering and Avrotech Design in the 60’s and 70’s commented, “The most impressive projects we worked on must have been the support work that we completed for the Royal Navy and BAE Systems. This included working on naval ships such as HMS Bulwark, Tyne, Severn and Mersey and some others that we can’t talk about!”

Mathon Engineering Netherland BV opened in 1970 supporting all the major shipyards in Holland, before later being renamed as Avrotech Design.

“Whilst working in Holland I completed many concept designs for tankers as well as a high-speed passenger catamaran car ferry, the first of its kind. The reputation that came with Mathon Engineering and Avrotech designers and engineers was outstanding, their skill at that time, was unrivalled,” Mike commented.

Since being absorbed by HMS a number of years ago the team have been busy working on a range of extensive design projects, from naval submarines to carrier ships and bespoke super yachts.

Building the future of naval design talent

HMS has been working on submarine designs for many years in Barrow, under the request of BAE. The team are leaders in the field, through their innovative use of a lifetime of naval design pedigree and industry knowledge, partnered with the introduction of new modern technologies and applications.

When asked about the future of naval architecture and design Josh Mathias, Managing Director at HMS commented, “Our reputation for providing bespoke solutions to unique projects, by combining both modern and traditional craftsmanship, has been the best source of new projects for our team. We have secured a number of contracts around the globe through our ability to combine the skills of the past, with the talent of the future. Many people don’t realise that the roots of our business came from naval architecture and design. Simply put, it’s in our blood.

It is however imperative that our team retain and develop the skills brought on-board from Mathon and Avrotech to take us forward into the future. This is why apprentices make up 10% of our workforce. We are making great strides toward shaping the talented designers and engineers of the future, something myself and the team are incredibly proud of.”

Firm Foundations

HMS have a strong presence in Southampton, Portsmouth’s naval base, Trafalgar Wharf in Porchester as well as Plymouth, Rosyth and Barrow-in-Furness. The team are deployable 24/7 around the world and are continuously working to create a one-stop-shop of dependable, innovative in-house capabilities, from one-off bespoke projects through to full refit projects and management packages.

Speak with any member of this close-knit team and you will quickly realise that their emphasis on continually inspiring their workforce, and instilling rigorous quality standards, is an ethos adopted by everyone.

A lifetime of pedigree, mixed in with Josh’s vision for technological advancement and personnel development, seems to be a winning formula for the crew at HMS and personally we can’t wait to see what the next fifty years bring.

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