Meercat strengthen management team

Meercat Boats has appointed John Buck as the company's Business Manager. John comes from a strong production engineering and manufacturing management background, having worked over the past three years on the build and sale of new commercial vessels.

Ric Haselhurst, who joined Meercat Boats as Production Manager in 2016, has been promoted to Head of Production.

In addition, several longstanding members of the Meercat team have marked significant work anniversaries including Lead Hand, Czes Ostrovski, celebrating 12 years, Fabricator, Lukaz Malek, 11 years, Production Foreman, Slawomir Guzynski, 10 years and Office Manager, Carolyn Gamblin, 7 years.

Commenting on his appointment, John Buck says, “I am delighted to join Meercat Boats. The business is highly regarded as a builder of superior quality and highly versatile workboats. I look forward to helping take Meercat to the next stage in its development.”

Glenn Springett, Meercat Boats’ Shareholder Director, comments, “We are thrilled to have John on board. He brings a wealth of experience spanning business development, fabrication and production management and therefore is ideally suited to his new role at Meercat Boats”.

Since 2007 Meercat Boats has delivered multi-role steel workboats to European port harbour servicing, Scottish fish farms and UK wind farms. The company has vessels undertaking port and harbour servicing, civil engineering, aquaculture support, rescue and the renewables operating in the UK, Middle East, Europe, Africa, Saudi Arabia and Australia, in addition to other locations.  Clients include BAE Systems, Williams Shipping, Associated British Ports, The Scottish Salmon Company, Dawnfresh, Zamil Offshore and Port of Plymouth.

The company was acquired by leading civil engineering specialist, Topbond plc in Spring 2018. Topbond plc had purchased a Meercat vessel in 2016. The acquisition ensures financial stability for the successful workboat builder.