North East maritime navigation experts to double workforce

Maritime navigation firm, Solarglide Limited, says it expects to increase its turnover by 30% in the next 12 months to £600,000 in addition to doubling its workforce following a highly successful year for the Newcastle-based firm.

The Hoults Yard, Byker-headquartered outfit is a family run business established in 2008, producing navigational products for ships and oil rigs worldwide.

Having weathered a turbulent global recession, the company has enjoyed a recent surge in demand for its products and has invested heavily in its social media strategy to increase brand awareness and drive new business.

“We have a loyal list of existing customers and we have seen a large increase in new customers coming to us. We have also increased our distributor and international agency network and developed our marketing strategy,” said Commercial Director, Paul Pringle.

“The Maritime industry suffered badly from the global recession with lots of large shipping companies and shipyards going into administration. Many organisations suffered huge losses from a decline in international trade and a large increase in fuel and bunkering costs. Less money meant smaller budgets, however things appear to be getting a lot better for us.”

The company, which also has four production staff based at its manufacturing site in Cramlington, plans to launch a string of lots of new products in 2014 as well as investing heavily in new recruits in a bid to capitalise on the burgeoning market.

Solarglide’s focus in 2013 has centered around product design, functionality, testing and market preparation and it will continue to develop its growth strategy now that is has relocated to a larger premises at Hoults Yard.

Solarglide’s current product range consists of solar screens, privacy blinds, window wipers and navigational products for seafarers and the firm boasts a collection of international clients including influential marine architects and airport control towers.

Paul Pringle, explained: “Solarglide’s aim is to make the maritime sector a safer place and our products achieve this by making the navigation process easier for crew members when faced with Mother Nature’s changing elements while at sea.

“We export 95% of our products internationally. The majority of our customers are ‘moving’ vessels so the destination of our goods could literally be anywhere in the world.

“Our plan is to increase our UK team and we will be recruiting new personnel within 2013 to be stationed at our new larger head office at Hoults Yard. I knew I wanted to be close to Newcastle city centre, and I wanted a place with the opportunity to expand with easy access for freight forwarders and couriers.

“We now have all of the ingredients necessary to be make Solarglide a true global player in our field.”

Paul Pringle’s family has a strong and proud maritime history in the region and it is little surprise the ambitious 34-year-old has followed in their footsteps.

Pringle’s grandfather was a shipbuilder on the Tyne and his father fronts the successful marine electronics company Martek Marine.

“Some said I was crazy but I decided to take a big risk and set up my own business in a global recession,” added Paul Pringle.

“It wasn’t an easy process, but over time the hard work has started to pay off and Solarglide is steadily growing year on year.”