Email News August 2010
Welcome to the August edition of Email News from Marine South East
Welcome to the August 2010 edition of Email News which comes from Marine South East.
If you have articles that you would like to be submitted for publication please email sarah@marinesoutheast.co.uk
Posted 2010-07-06 15:08:21
Survey to streamline future business support - initial findings
Thank you to all those companies who have completed our on-line survey looking at future business support requirements for the marine sector.
Some interesting results are beginning to emerge: a strong majority of companies believe that collective action is important, especially in the areas of innovation and capability promotion; business leadership is clearly seen as vital, particularly in the area of skills development; and interestingly a very strong majority feels that collaboration limited to local areas (eg city or county) is too restrictive.
These are important findings which we can use to help shape Government thinking about post-RDA business support. But we do need as many responses as possible, so we urge you please to spend a few minutes completing the survey if you haven't already done so.
Please click on the link to complete the five minute survey:
http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/survey/
Posted 2010-07-21 10:07:42
Free LeanBenchmark tool for SME's in South East for limited time only ....
Do you want to discover how lean your performance is compared to others in your sector? Benchmarking Lean Performance provides a focus for improvement that can give your business that vital competitive edge.
Lean Benchmarking provides a 'snap shot' of your current business performance compared to others around you. The resulting gap analysis clearly highlights the future potential performance and the most appropriate focus for improvements to increase your performance.
Normally priced at £99+Vat, MAS South East are offering SME manufacturers in the South East a FREE LeanBenchmark report for a limited time.
Why use lean benchmarking?
* This easy-to-use online self-assessment tool will identify competitive threats, highlight improvement opportunities and can help enhance your overall business performance.
* Learn how lean principles can improve productivity and increase profits
* Kick start your improvement activity and stay ahead of the competition
To receive your voucher code call 0845 6092121 or email nicolalyons@mas-se.org.uk
For more information on LeanBenchmarking go to
http://www.mas-se.org.uk/resources_local/test-1
Posted 2010-07-21 09:42:25
Do you care about water sport and leisure in London and the South East?
The Environment Agency is encouraging people to have their say on the future of water sport and leisure development in London and the South East with the launch of a public consultation for its Enjoying Water project.
Working with a range of partner organisations the Environment Agency has been developing its Enjoying Water plan that aims to place the environment at the heart of future opportunities to develop water recreation. The final plan will help decision makers such as local authorities take an informed view on how to create, protect and improve water sports and leisure development across London and the South East.
In developing the plan the Environment Agency has already spoken to more than 220 recreation users and managers of water based activities, and sites to gather their views, and is now encouraging anyone else with an interest in water sports and leisure pursuits to visit http://www.brighton.ac.uk/waterrecreation and comment on the findings and opinions already expressed. The consultation is open from 5 July until 30 September 2010.
Following the completion and evaluation of the public consultation, the final Enjoying Water plan is scheduled for launch at the end of the 2010.
More information about the consultation process can be found in the download section of this website by going to
http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/docs/general
Posted 2010-07-21 09:50:53
Sponsorship opportunities for the 2010 Student Sailboat Challenge & Boatshow Visit
Each year the Solent Education Business Partnership run a Sailboat Challenge for year 9/10 students during the Southampton Boatshow.
The students work in teams of 5 to design, develop, test and race their craft whilst learning about wind power, stability, rigging and ease of manufacture relating to a real-world problem.
There are a minimum of 16 teams each producing a yacht and we are looking for companies who would be keen to 'sponsor a yacht'. Sponsorship would be £100 and they will get to have their logo on the sail and be part of all the marketing and press releases.
The challenge is open to all secondary schools in Southampton and South West Hampshire. In developing their proposals, students gain an insight into the marine industry and to consider this as a career pathway. They are also encouraged to apply their knowledge in new ways that are relevant to the changing business environment.
Solent EBP are looking for company sponsors to fund this school challenge, which is designed to inspire the designers and engineers of the future. The Challenge will be scheduled to engage Year 9 or 10 students at a time when they are considering their future study and career options.
There are huge difficulties in the UK in recruiting science and engineering students to degree programmes, and industries requiring scientific professionals find it increasingly difficult to recruit – notably in specific areas of engineering and materials science.
The programme will offer sponsors an opportunity to actively address the difficulties in recruiting design & engineering experts by getting in at a very early stage and enthusing young people in the subject.
If you are interested in supporting this initiative please contact:
Ian Henser
Business Broker, Solent EBP
Tel: 023 8072 5736
ian.henser@solent-ebp.co.uk
Posted 2010-07-22 12:27:44
Feedback from Small Onshore Wind installation workshop
On 17th June the WICO project hosted a workshop during the Seawork 2010 exhibition in Southampton. The event focused upon the opportunities small wind systems represent to marine businesses.
Many marine companies will have access to coastal locations with significantly better wind resources than further inland. For these locations wind turbines of various designs and sizes will be strong contenders within a low-carbon energy strategy. The power generated by a wind turbine increases as a cube function of the wind speed. This makes sites with higher mean wind velocities very much more attractive.
As individuals or companies, generating our own electricity to both cut bills and reduce our carbon foot-prints is an attractive idea. Installing a small wind device is one of a number of ways to achieve this but how do you know if it is the right technology to choose?
During the event a range of expert speakers explained to a marine sector audience how site selection, wind resource assessment and planning procedures have to be considered when contemplating the installation of small wind power devices.
Francesco Matteucci (Tozzi Nord) explained the importance behind accurate wind resource measurement and the techniques employed to achieve this. He also highlighted that the particular characteristics of a site can have a significant impact upon the power generated.
Brendan Webster (Marine South East) spoke about the work the WICO partnership has been undertaking to compare and analyse public policies and planning regimes and the impact they have upon the uptake of small wind installations. Of particular interest was the likely emergence of 'permitted development' status for small scale wind devices in the UK.
Alan Banks (CEO Envirobusiness) gave a detailed explanation of the UK's new system of Feed-In Tariffs for renewable energy generation and how it is making small wind turbines increasingly attractive and financially viable.
Stephen Crosher from quietrevolution, a leading UK turbine manufacturer described how vertical axis turbines might be the right type of device for installing in places where nearby buildings and other obstructions create turbulent air-flow. Under test quietrevolution turbines actually generated more power in turbulent wind conditions.
To download the presentations from this event please go to http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/wico/downloads
To subscribe to the free WICO newsletter please go to
http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/wico/news/#subs
Posted 2010-07-08 14:03:58
Activity at Hythe Marine Park goes from strength to strength
Throughout 2010, activity at the SEEDA owned Hythe Marine Park has increased significantly. Last year, SEEDA (assisted by their managing agents CB Richard Ellis) and in conjunction with Yacht Project Associates , created ’Solent Refit’, a unique refit and repair facility for large yachts.
Solent Refit was set up in order to maximise the use of the unique facilities offered on the site, which includes a ship lifting facility capable of handling yachts up to 70m long, together with extensive working deep water berths, moorings and lay-up areas for even larger vessels.
Solent Refit operates across a large part of the 12 acre specialist marine industrial park and there have been various vessels which have been slipped, or worked on within this facility over the last few months.
Recent activity has included the successful launch by Yacht Project Associates of the first Palmer Johnson Sportsyacht built in the UK, within one of the industrial units on the site over the last two years. The new vessel, with a length of 52m and a weight of 320 tonnes, was manoeuvred across the site, positioned on the specialist rail system and launched via the heavy slipway in July.
Although mainly occupied by tenants there are still some workshops and offices available to let on site to marine related companies. Offices ranging from 200sq ft upwards are available on flexible lease terms to assist start up and small businesses. Plus there are moorings and berths which are available for short or long term periods. Other marine businesses who wish to take advantage of these facilities should contact Jon Diaper of CB Richard Ellis on 023 80206344.
Further information on the accommodation and facilities available at Hythe Marine Park can be found at http://www.hythemarinepark.com and details on the services offered by Solent Refit can be found at http://www.solentrefit.com.
Posted 2010-07-22 10:49:11
Helping save lives at sea. Expertise in Management and Engineering Sciences supports the RNLI
Management scientists and engineers at the University of Southampton have joined forces with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to reduce the operational costs of its fleet. The RNLI is wholly dependent on charitable giving; saving money on operational working means the donations can be used more effectively to save more lives.
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership has been signed between the two organisations. Two talented graduates will be appointed to work as Associates at RNLI headquarters in Poole for two years, supervised by Professor Douglas Macbeth of the School of Management and Professor Ajit Shenoi of the School of Engineering Sciences. Dr Arni Halldorsson from the School of Management and Dr James Blake from the School of Engineering Sciences are also involved in the initiative.
The RNLI currently supports 300 lifeboats based at 235 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland. The sophisticated vessels are engineered to high standards so the volunteer crews can carry out rescue operations in the worst sea conditions. Equipping and maintaining the fleet can be expensive.
A Tamar class lifeboat costs £2.7million to buy and equip, but has a working life of around 50 years.
The Management Associate will develop computer models to capture the commercial and logistics issues around the costs of building and maintaining the lifeboat fleet. The Engineering Associate will look at the technical design issues involved in deciding how frequently the boats and their equipment need maintainance, to manage these costs. The two Associates will work closely together as the projects are interdependent.
Recruitment is underway for these posts and the Associates are expected to start work in autumn 2010.
For further information contact:
Sophie Docker, Media Relations Officer, University of Southampton Tel: 0238059 8933
email: S.Docker@soton.ac.uk
Posted 2010-07-06 16:43:07
Global Maritime Environmental Congress 7-8th September 2010 SMM Hamburg
Hamburg Messe and Congress is joining hands with key members of the maritime community to organise the very first GMEC – Global Maritime Environmental Congress taking place 7th - 8th September 2010, during SMM, the world’s leading shipbuilding trade fair.
The emergence of innovative shipping technologies - as well as new international shipping laws and regulations - has made it possible for the maritime industry to focus on the real need to address every aspect of sustainable and environmentally-aware shipping.
The congress will comprise of representatives from all relevant governments, environmental organisations, navies, NGOs, classification societies, port authorities and the marine equipment industry.
The aim is to seek out new international standards of regulations for shipping associations that can help make the maritime industry a strong and positive leader in environmental protection.
Take this unique chance to participate at GMEC! Share your experience and visions to help set the green course towards achieving a healthy marine environment - and become an agent of change for the maritime industry.
GMEC will be held at:
CCH - Congress Center Hamburg
Am Dammtor / Marseiller Straße
20355 Hamburg, Germany
For more information and booking details please go to:
http://www.gmec-hamburg.com
or
Nele Andersch
telephone +44 (0)1590 - 67 99 77
andersch@referencepoint.de
http://www.referencepoint.de
http://www.hamburg-messe.com
Posted 2010-07-06 15:28:26
Sharpen up your business image and increase your profits at a FREE half day design workshop, 6th October 2010 Port Solent
Designing Demand is an innovative programme developed by the Design Council to help businesses use design more effectively. The programme focuses on how design drives improved performance and produces a stronger bottom line.
Design can affect every aspect of your business from the first impression created by a company letterhead, the design of a product or packaging, to consistent communication which builds customer loyalty.
The Designing Demand programme has delivered support to more than 2000 businesses across the UK and feedback has been extremely positive with more than 88% saying that their strategic design projects were critical to their business success.
To maximise your profits through better design reserve your space now on this FREE half day interactive workshop which will demonstrate how the different aspects of design can impact on your business.
This event is now fully booked.
