The company has added a new and extensive workboat portfolio to its existing Bulldog range of multi-role workboats.

The new range of craft consists of a revised range of standardised workboats, support vessels, landing craft, anchor handling vessels and aquaculture support vessels, ranging from 9m to 36m, with a 24m aquaculture vessel, for the tuna market, currently in-build.

SMS Group has also strengthened its existing team to both promote and develop the products.  David Rutter has joined the company as Small Boats Manager. He brings with him an unrivalled and extensive knowledge of workboats, small boats and other commercial and naval vessels.  David, a former Royal Marine, has been in the industry for over twenty years and has Autonomous Surface Vehicle experience and a proven track record in workboat sales. His first-hand knowledge of landing craft, fast boats and some of the harshest marine environments bring a unique perspective to both the senior team within SMS and the company’s developing customer base.

Commenting on his appointment David says, “It’s fantastic to be assisting in the development of the new workboat range with my colleagues at SMS. It really is good news that as a UK boat builder we’re able to offer such a wide array of vessels at extremely competitive prices.  We have the ability to offer bespoke packages, as well as a variety of leasing and financing options which puts us in a very good, and somewhat unique place, within a challenging and competitive market.  At SMS we really can be different.”

The SMS Group also has formed a strong bond with James Walker from Walker Marine Design (WMD).  The team are working very closely in the development of new vessels.

Chris Norman, Managing Director of SMS, said: “These really are exciting times ahead for all at the SMS Group and even more so with the arrival of the new workboats team.  David has got a proven track record for both sales and business development. He’s well-respected and well-known, and James and his colleagues at WMD just know how to ‘get it right’.  It’s a great combination and something we’re already very proud of.”

Chris added: “As SMS we are already well-known for our extensive work within the defence sector, the superyacht space and of course our extensive network of national facilities. This new investment helps to secure our prominence within the UK, and international, workboat space too.  As usual we’ll be exhibiting at Seawork and, if the coming few weeks go as planned, we’ll have a further very exciting announcement to make which will coincide with the exhibition.”

SMS’s sister company the Wight Shipyard will also be exhibiting at Seawork with its first of class hybrid harbour patrol vessel.

SMS Group can be found on stand PG146 and the Wight Shipyard on berth VB02