Hampshire: Spectrum CF and Pitmans advise Meercat Workboats on sale to Burgess Marine
Burgess Marine, which claims to be Britain’s largest independent ship repairer, has acquired Hampshire-based multi-purpose boat-building company Meercat Workboats.
Simon Davies of Spectrum Corporate Finance and Sean Kelly of Pitmans advised Meercat on the sale of the entire issued share capital to Burgess Marine.
Meercat currently builds custom road-transportable multi-role workboats up to 18 metres in length at its yard in Portchester. The company will retain its own brand name.
Burgess Marine, which has its headquarters in Dover, is already building two wind farm support vessels for Mainprize Offshore. The company will complete these builds and then launch the two new vessels as Meercats.
The acquisition of Meercat complements the other arms of the Burgess Marine business.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Burgess Marine managing director Nicholas Warren said: “The acquisition of Meercat is very much in line with our plans for longer-term strategic growth: Meercat builds boats, Burgess Marine repairs ships, and Trafalgar Yacht Management manages yachts.
“Our intent is to develop Meercat by gradually expanding the company’s product range and facilities.
“We’re looking at barges, canal tugs, larger class approved workboats and the potential for further Sure Build style aluminium builds.”
Burgess Marine also has facilities at Southampton, Portsmouth, Gosport, Poole, Avonmouth and Devonport.
