Humber Work Boats 40th Anniversary

Sharing and celebrating success in local business

1974

2014

HUMBER WORK BOATS www.humberworkboats.co.uk

GTE-E01-S3-SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

Marine and Dredging Contractors

SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 GTE-E01-S3 2

HUMBER WORK BOATS LIMITED

W

HAT began in the garden shed of an Immingham Docks stevedore is now a thriving family business, operating on a global scale as a highlyrespected marine and dredging contractor.

1974 ~ 2014

Chairman and founder John Morton heads an extensive operation that has now seen three generations engaged in day-to-day activities, and a lot of

into a contract with what is now Immingham Bulk Terminal, working for Westminster Dredging.

“That was in 1972, and we spent another two years working for another company, putting the big cranes on there, working off a steel jetty and taking everything out by barge.”

Incorporated in 1974, leading to today’s 40th anniversary special publication, Mr Morton recalled: “We expanded all the time, we just kept getting more and more work.

I had a gang of men, most of them self-employed or dragged out of the

Introduction others besides, ensuring the UK’s busiest trading estuary operates smoothly while helping create port infrastructure the world over.

“The green garden shed at the bottom of the garden of our bungalow in East Halton, that was the nerve centre,” recalled Pat Morton, John’s wife, a director in the business, before Mr Morton picked up the story that now spans the globe from a base still a short walk from that wooden beginning.

“I worked on the docks and we had a small holding at East Halton at the same time,” he said. “I was doing general stevedoring, and while I was working we purchased this little tug, The President, from Leeds Co-op. We brought it across, painted it up and entered

pub if they were unemployed!”

Jobs ranged from cleaning up rail wagons for varying loads, to – following the addition of a second vessel, The ‘Olan’, a safety / work boat – servicing the terminals.

After the first year, Mr Morton left his job in Immingham and set up Humber Work Boats, with Pat doing the books.

Like many members of the family, she has also leant her name to a vessel, in her case one that changed the direction the business was going, setting a course full of new horizons.

John developed the vision of a self-propelled back hoe dredger the ‘Pat M’, a vessel capable of not just dredging and manoeuvring, but sailing under her own power,

Owners and founders John and Pat Morton able to work operational shipping channels with little disruption.

“There weren’t any about when I did that, but there have been at least a couple built since,” Mr Morton said.

“When I suggested it, they all said ‘it won’t work’ or ‘it won’t do this’ or ‘it won’t do that’, but it did, and it hasn’t stopped working for 12 years!

“Being short of money gives you great ideas. Big companies go to a ship yard and select what they want and hand over vast amounts of cash. We have never been in that position so we have had to cut our cloth accordingly and come up with cheaper but workable solutions.”

The ‘Pat M’ is currently working on harbour developments in South America, a concept alien to Mr Morton when he launched, piloting that first tug himself.

“I would have never thought about working on the other side of the

world. Maybe Europe, perhaps some work in France, but we keep going further and further away chasing work.”

Still in the business three mornings a week, and more if required, he is immensely proud of the strong team assembled at North Killingholme Haven.

“We are very busy on the Humber, and I am lucky I have got a lot of excellent men. Various people have had a go at catching us up, but they don’t get near because of the skills built up over the years.

“I am very proud to have three generations working, and hope it continues,” he added.

Son Elliott and daughter Sally are on board as directors, with granddaughter Abigail the welcoming face of the business in the reception and grandson Ryan a key member of the Marine Civils team.

HWB Through the Years

I

NCORPORATED by John and Pat Morton in 1974 after entering into a lease on North Killingholme Haven, Humber Work Boats had set sail on a journey, with course and destination throwing up surprises for the husband and wife team who began it.

John had become a director and co-shareholder alongside Simons Group in Killingholme Wharfage Company, which developed and operated facilities at the Haven.

When he sold his shareholding in 1989 part of the settlement was the acquisition by Humber Work Boats of the land and river frontage which has been its base ever since.

He developed the marine business into a full-blown marine contracting

operation by adding a marine civil engineering arm and with it an experienced marine civil engineer, Kim Harrop, as Contracts Director in 1987. He remains in that position today after 27 years. As a result the company developed both the size of the fleet and the type and value of marine-based contracts undertaken. A heavy lift crane barge ‘Mortlift’ was acquired from the US Army for use in and around the Humber ports on a variety of heavy lift projects, providing the mechanical muscle required for some of the biggest, and highest priority jobs the industry regularly provides.

The offices and fabrication shop were built in the early Nineties to house this expansion. In addition in 1994 the company invested in a new cutter suction dredger, the John M, built in Holland by De

Hollandsche Ijssel and multicat / crane barge ’Rebecca M’, built on the Humber at Hepworth’s in Paull, to enhance its activity base.

To enhance the commercial side of the business, David Symon was appointed as financial director in 1998. Financial, marketing, management information and quality systems were developed by him to take the company forward into the millennium and he was appointed managing director in 2002, a role he still performs. The reliance on the River Humber as the main source of revenue was identified as a possible weakness and an investment strategy was put into place to eliminate this.

John’s concept of the world’s first self-propelled backhoe dredger the Pat M gave HWB a vital innovative edge too, and this was realised as she was built in Holland at

H

UMBER Work Boats Ltd is a family-owned private company which has been trading since 1974 as marine and dredging contractors. The company owns their three

a fleet of vessels for different types of marine works both around the UK and overseas.

Vessels include multicats, work boats, light and heavy lift crane barges, and backhoe and cutter suction dredgers.

and a half acre facility at North Killingholme Haven on the south bank of the River Humber which incorporates spacious office accommodation, a 10,000 sq ft fabrication shop, 250 metres of riverside frontage and extensive yard space. The company has developed its services significantly in recent years in local, national and international markets. The company owns and operates

With its highly experienced workforce the company offers bespoke solutions to its well established and ever expanding local, national, and international customer base.

Overview Heavy Lift Crane Barge Mortlift berthed at North Killingholme Haven

Vessels are available for river, harbour or coastal work either on a charter or contract basis.

The vessels are manned by fully professional and very experienced crews who are adept at providing marine solutions to our expanding client base.

Current services offered include: • DreDging – backhoe anD cutter suction, capital anD maintenance DreDging • Jetty repair, construction, anD Dismantling both in timber anD steel • pile Driving anD pile removal • FenDer removal repair anD installation • heavy liFts • steel Fabrication anD welDing • awkwarD loaD transportation • revetment anD stone placing • ploughing anD beD levelling • Diving support • work boat anD saFety boat hire • steel work boat anD multicat repair, builDing anD conversion • hyDrographic surveying services • water monitoring

The fabrication shop at North Killingholme

Shipyard De Donge and delivered to North Killingholme in 2002. Key dredging management came on board in the shape of Dredging Manager Julian Bridgewater and Hydrographic surveyor Jon Steed.

Turnover has been built steadily since from ÂŁ1.6-million in 1999 to its present level of ÂŁ6-million.

The overseas customer base was widened significantly as the backhoe dredger began to work exclusively overseas in the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands, the Canaries, the Azores, North Africa particularly in Algeria and Morocco, and currently in Venezuela in South America. The quality of service and solutions-based approach to customers resulted in other fleet vessels being awarded export contracts in North Africa.

However, Investment would not have been possible without an experienced, skilled and loyal workforce over the years, and the company is grateful for the substantial contribution made by people such as general foremen

Ivan Raithby, Mick Hindle and Andrew Mawer, skippers such as Steve Thurston, Trevor Harrison and Howard Beisly, and the skills of Jon Lee, Stuart Cadman and John Mumford to name but a few.

HWB has invested in an additional 25 people since 1999 to augment the existing workforce, many of whom are still employed at the company. Training programmes are a vital part of staff development and the company is developing an apprentice culture to ensure skills are passed on for the future, to the extent where it has engaged with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for bespoke apprenticeship training for boatmen.

Recently the company has focussed on building steel work boats and refurbishing its own distinct ‘Jotun Orange’ fleet in house. Two MCA class three vessels have been completed – Abigail of Grimsby and Dawn M of Grimsby, while MV Ryan H is currently undergoing a major refit.

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3 GTE-E01-S3-SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

40TH ANNIVERSARY

C

A

1974

2014

HUMBER WORK BO

Marine and Dredging Contractors

B Proud to be advisors to Humber Work Boats and wish them continued success.

A – Rebecca M replacing dock wall plates in Immingham.

B – Pat M being lifted onto a heavy lift ship in Alicante en route to Venezuela.

C – Shipyard workers at sunset.

D – An aerial view of North Killingholme jetties.

E – Mortlift Pile Driving for a new dolphin at Immingham Oil Terminal.

F – Pat M dredging at La Guaira Venezuela.

D

4

OATS

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F Humber Merchants Ltd.

Lightside Building Supplies and Engineering Merchant.

Building Materials, Tools, Ironmongery, Workwear, Fixings and much more.

HUMBER MERCHANTS WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE HUMBER WORK BOATS ON THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY www.humbermerchants.co.uk

sales@humbermerchants.co.uk

SCUNTHORPE TEL: 01724 860331 FAX 01724 281326 IMMINGHAM TEL: 01469 576496 FAX 01469 575038 DONCASTER TEL: 01302 888817 FAX 01302 888856 HULL TEL: 01482 329361 FAX 01482 329366 ©LW

SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 GTE-E01-S3 6

HUMBER WORK BOATS LIMITED

H

UMBER Work Boatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cutter suction dredger, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;John Mâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, has recently completed a 24-day desilting campaign to clear the channels at Hedon Haven and Stone Creek on the River Humber. The dredger worked 24 hours a day clearing a kilometre of channel and removing 20,000 tonnes of silt.

1974 ~ 2014

The works allow effective drainage of the surrounding land on the North Bank of the Humber.

Keyingham Internal Drainage Board commissioned the work to allow the land drain network to discharge efďŹ ciently to prevent future ďŹ&#x201A;ooding.

Cutter Suction Dredger John M dredging at Hessle Haven

HWB and the Environment Prior to work commencing and to support the application for a dredging licence, Humber Work Boatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hydrographic Surveying Division undertook a pre-dredge

survey and on completion of the campaign, a post-dredge survey of the project locations to establish riverbed levels and quantities removed.

Humber Work Boatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hydrographic surveying manager, Jon Steed, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The project was a triumph of local co-operation requiring both input and funding from Keyingham, Preston and Otteringham Internal Drainage Boards, the Environment Agency, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hedon Town Council, The Crown Estates, and Hull Waste

Water Treatment Works Community Fund. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Humber Work Boats completed a similar project involving Cutter John M in 2009 to clear these same two channels, which underlines the need for regular waterway maintenance of the River Humber ďŹ&#x201A;ood defence network. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over the next few months the John M will be further aiding local ďŹ&#x201A;ood defences by clearance maintenance dredging at East Halton Haven, Stone Creek and Hessle Haven.â&#x20AC;?

S H SOMERSCALES LIMITED

Stockists of Industrial Fasteners Engineering Supplies Health & Safety Products

Proud to be suppliers to Humber Work Boats and we wish them every success Celebrating

25 years in Scunthorpe

www.bapp.co.uk 5 Colin Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN16 1TT T: 01724 282112 F: 01724 861668 sales@bappscunthorpe.co.uk

S H Somerscales Limited are pleased to be able to supply Humber Work Boats with their hardwood and softwood requirements and congratulate them on a successful 40th anniversary For quality hardwoods and softwoods, wood machining services and timber supply for historical and modern construction projects:â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

Phone: 01469 560 704 Email: sales@shsomerscales.co.uk www.stuartsomerscales.com

ŠLW

W

HILE glamorous locations may not be all they promise when working in marine construction, be it the Azures, Balearics or Canaries, a black tie bash on the home front in 2012 provided some surprise prestige.

For Humber Work Boats turned muck into cut glass at the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards that year, winning both the Forrester Boyd Award for Business Excellence and the Barclays International Trade Award.

The jubilee-themed bash became more cutter suction than diamond set, as the company that has been involved in port and harbour construction and maintenance since before Her Majestyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s silver jubilee celebrations earned the highest plaudits at a 500-guest gala dinner at Grimsby Auditorium.

Record turnover and proďŹ ts wowed judges, with export work accounting for just under half of the ÂŁ6.62 million generated.

Interviewed in the night of the

win, Mr Morton said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are marvellously proud. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For many, many years we have worked ever so hard. I am really proud of everyone who works for us. The night was fantastic.â&#x20AC;?

Mr Morton also praised Managing Director David Symon.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;David has led from the front for many years now, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really pleased with his contribution to the business.â&#x20AC;?

Mr Symon returned the tribute on a joyous evening. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it

in North Africa, with record sales revenues, contributing signiďŹ cantly to record turnover and proďŹ ts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was no thought given to the competition other than making sure the entry form was thoroughly and accurately completed. The company wanted to be seen by the judges in the best possible light. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When the company was shortlisted ahead of the event we were surprised and delighted, and when the Barclays International Trade Award was announced it was

is a reďŹ&#x201A;ection of what John, the founder and owner, has put into the company over the years in terms of risking his capital, and his life by putting all his efforts into one particular venture, the Pat M, the main thrust of our export drive.â&#x20AC;?

Looking back on the awards, a crowning moment for a truly local company, Mr Symon said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;When Humber Work Boats entered, it was prompted by strong export performance

surreal as the company video â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which had been fun to make â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was shown. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was very well put together and gasps of approval were heard at the table. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Just like the Oscarsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was one of the comments passed around!â&#x20AC;?

Still harbouring no thoughts of winning, with members of the team having checked out the websites of their rivals, and seen previous accolades awarded to them, Mr Symon said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;When it was announced â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the winner is Humber

HWB Recognition

Work Boatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; there was a mixture of stunned disbelief and whoops of delight. The presentation was a very proud moment for the owners, directors and staff.â&#x20AC;?

But that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To the surprise of everyone at the table there was another award open to every entrant â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Business Excellence Awards. In a ďŹ&#x201A;ash another Humber Work Boats video appeared on the screen and the disbelief and whooping started up again,â&#x20AC;? Mr Symon recalled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On reďŹ&#x201A;ection, the feedback from customers, suppliers and third parties has been very positive and the whole experience was a culmination of hard work and dedication being recognised. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To be pitted against stronger and larger companies from different business sectors and come out on top gave the company a real boost in terms of the future. The company would encourage any business which has performed well to enter for an award. The outcome can be very rewarding, but even if success is elusive the application presents the opportunity to assess in detail your companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance and have it judged by experts.â&#x20AC;?

Winners of the Forrester Boyd Award for Business Excellence and the Barclays International Trade Award.

% 1974 ~ 2014

Olympus Welding & Industrial Supplies Ltd Grimsby are proud to be associated with and continue to be the main supplier in Welding & Industrial equipment to HUMBER WORK BOATS. " # ! " &') ) +0' 9& : 5 ''&)$ +0+7$% 0&(1 : #, ! )&5 &)$ +( /## ;,#2* "26!;; 3 /## ;,#2* "26!;, $0&(1 : 1708&5 $0+7-. +(

$$$ " # ! "

We would like to congratulate HUMBER WORK BOATS on their 40th Anniversary, wishing them all the very best in future projects with our continued support.

7 GTE-E01-S3-SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

40TH ANNIVERSARY

SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 GTE-E01-S3 8

HUMBER WORK BOATS LIMITED

HWB and the Future

1974 ~ 2014

Kim Harrop Contracts Director and David Symon Managing Director

T

HE burgeoning renewables industry and emerging international infrastructure projects are the focus for Humber Work Boats as it embarks on the second 40 years of trading.

With the Humber the scene for the offshore wind farm windfall, Humber Work Boats is keen to play a prominent role in the construction phase on both banks, with Greenport Hull and Able Marine Energy Park quite literally

on the doorstep.

David Symon, Managing Director, said: “There is a tremendous amount of optimism in the Humber currently with the proposed Greenport Hull and Able developments. We have completed infrastructure work already for Dong Energy and Centrica, and the construction phase is definitely where we are at in terms of this new industry.”

Renewables is once again uniting the North and South Banks, just like a project early in HWB’s history.

“The initial work boat company was hugely successful on the back of the Humber Bridge build,” said Mr Symon. “There was a lot of service work involved, supplying safety boats, transportation of materials and crew as well as more complex marine work.”

That window of opportunity is mirrored currently, only HWB now has extensive has extensive dredging and marine contracting experience.

“It is a very capital intensive business and it is unusual for a relatively small family company to be able to generate enough capital organically to fund investments needed for expansion to make to get where we are and keep going. It has got to be recognised that a fleet such as ours deteriorates through age, and you have are constantly looking to balance the destination of investment capital between new and old. It is fascinating the way the business has developed over the years..

Underpinning this expansion

has been the achievement of ISO9001, OHSAS14001 and ISO14001 accreditation, necessary for dealing with changing legislation and with larger corporations.”

Expanding infrastructure and the associated increase in vessel activity, means that facility repair and maintenance demands also charts highly.

“The big players on the Humber, the Oil Terminals, Associated British Ports and Cro Ports, rely on HWB to provide solutions to difficult problems and emergency situations, if they occur, as well as for ongoing capital and maintenance work .

“Without HWB on the Humber they would probably have to turn to the Dutch for help which given the critical time taken to mobilise suitable plant would be an expensive exercise.”

Mr Morton said the political and economic environment in the UK and Europe has made business planning difficult, but underlined his philosophy. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and we

don’t lie down. I have met a lot of people in the business I wouldn’t have wanted to be in the trenches with, but I have also dealt with some excellent people.

“We are certainly helping this area to keep trading, and in an emergency situation we have always been able to assemble a team, be it Christmas or on a Sunday in the middle of a Bank Holiday weekend.”

While much of the marketing focus of the business is on the work in the water, land-side there is a huge support operation based within the dedicated fabrication workshop.

Elliott Morton, John’s son, is Health and Safety director, and looks after the sprawling yard.

It hosts shot blasting, welding, fabrication and blacksmith trades, making it virtually selfsufficient.

Elliott said: “There’s not much we cannot handle here. We have a lot of steel expertise and we still work with big timbers for jetty repairs, with the large chain saws and deep drills that many people just don’t carry any more.

“We work 24/7 52 weeks a year, and it is a hugely interesting job.”

Humber Work Boats International and UK

Marine and Dredging Contractors Vessel Construction and Repairs

www.humberworkboats.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1469 540156 sales@humberworkboats.co.uk