News in brief: Triple success for MPE Interiors
WIRRAL-based manufacturer and outfitter MPE Interiors has completed three new contracts in the UK and Ireland to upgrade passenger ferries for Stena Line and P&O Ferries.
Director Cliff Grainger said the contracts involved a range of furniture, soft furnishing and ceiling improvements on ferries at different shipyards. He said the projects highlight MPE’s broad range of skills and services to the ferry and wider maritime sectors on both sides of the Irish Sea.
The Birkenhead firm’s core skills include joinery, polishing, spraying and upholstery work. It offers the complete maritime fit-out package including design, manufacturing, refurbishment, installation and maintenance of furniture, soft furnishings and upholstery.
“This trio of contracts further boosts our experience and track-record in the passenger ferry market,” said Grainger. “We have a strong understanding of what our customers’ require in this niche market which enables us to maintain high standards of delivery.
“We have completed work on the Stena Horizon which operates between Rosslare in the Republic of Ireland and Cherbourg in France.
“This involved rebuilding and refurbishing more than 200 chairs, as well as upholstery work and curtains. Our specialist staff travelled from Merseyside to Rosslare to deliver the furniture and materials.
“This mobility and flexibility is a key selling point as it enables us to operate between our Merseyside manufacturing hub and vessels located in any shipyard in the UK or Ireland.”
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ACCESS Hire and Finance, a provider of credit hire services to road traffic accident victims, has secured a £750,000 invoice finance facility from Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance.
Established 11 years ago, the business, based in Whitefield near Bury, is a supplier of hire cars to victims of road traffic accidents. It employs 27 staff and also assists with accident related finance, helping to fund repairs and maintenance for car garages.
The company achieved turnover of £3.6m in the year to November 2014 and is expected to see its revenue jump to £4.2m in its current financial year as a result of the additional funding.
Director of Access Hire and Finance, Chris McCormack, said: “We operate in a niche sector that doesn’t fit the criteria for funding set by the big banks.
“Secure Trust Bank took the time to understand our needs and had a firm grip on our business from the start. Having this new facility in place provides us with the headroom to focus on the day-to-day running of the business and puts us in a much stronger position to achieve our growth objectives.”
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SAFETY seal manufacturer Roxtec has extended its range of products with an innovative new seal specifically for underground power cables serving structures including electricity substations and wind turbines.
Managing director of Bury-based Roxtec, Graham O’Hare, said the new Roxtec UG sealing system was ideal for power cables entering foundations or basements because it protects against flooding, humidity and continuous water pressure.
“This specialist product has been developed by our experts in the field,” said Mr O’Hare. “It has an innovative, specially-formulated high elastic EPDM rubber to seal cable ducts below ground.”
