Wills Marine looks to expand its presence in the commercial marine sector, bringing bespoke RIBs to meet the needs of working operators.
Wills Marine is a family-run marine business based in South Devon, offering boat sales, servicing and technical advice. The company dates to 1963, when it began building specialised river boats.
While it has traditionally served the leisure market, Wills Marine is now looking to grow its presence in the commercial sector, offering customisable rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for a range of working applications.
Its Grand Boats Drive series is central to this expansion, with configurations tailored to the specific requirements of individual operators. From seating arrangements and console positions to specialist equipment and lifting points, the company works with customers to identify solutions suited to how their boats will be used.
“We’re quite new to the commercial industry, but we’re not new to boats,” explains Ollie White, operations and sales manager at Wills Marine.
Making its Seawork debut next year, the company plans to showcase the Drive 950, a “highly customisable” 9.5m rib, alongside its smaller 6m equivalent Drive 600.
White highlights how the Drive can be “configure[ed] however you want within the deck space available”.
“The most recent customer wanted a custom-made rear radar arch because of where the boat is being used. There are low hanging bridges, so it needed to be within a certain height. So, we made a custom arch for his boat - there’s not another like it,” White explains.
Additionally, the rib included telecom and a centralised console to suit the intended security details.
White says flexibility is central to the company’s approach. “We make things happen,” he says, explaining how Wills Marine works with customers to find solutions for their specific requirements.
White highlights how the company is currently in a growth stage, pointing to partnerships with established marine brands, including Mercury, alongside other collaborations that “have come about over the past 12 months”.
The company has invested in its workshop facilities, with one dedicated to new boat builds and another used for servicing and repairs. These capabilities allow it to support customers beyond the initial sale, combining boat customisation with ongoing technical support.
Looking ahead to Seawork
White finds that their previous experience in the leisure industry provides them with an unique approach to the commercial industry.
“We focus on the boat. So, whether it’s a company or it’s an actual person, the boat is the priority, so we make sure we do right by the customer by making sure the boat’s right.”
At Seawork, Wills Marine hopes to introduce its range to a wider commercial audience while learning more about operators’ needs.
