Oceania Marine acquires superyacht interior manufacturer SMI

Oceania Marine has reached agreement to buy Specialist Marine Interiors (SMI), and should take over operations by 1st October. Oceania Group, the largest refit and repair facility based in Whangarei, New Zealand explained that the purchase of SMI was the “logical expansion to their existing shipyard facilities”.

The two companies have a long association through refit and new build projects, and are located close to each other in Port Whangarei, New Zealand.

Oceania Marina explained that the principle of SMI, Grant Willis, is fully committed to marine projects in Croatia and has decided to base himself there for the duration. As a consequence the business was offered to Oceania Marine.

Martin Gleeson, managing director of Oceania Marine commented, “Marine interiors are often an important part of our projects at the shipyard and with the opening next month of the Port Whangarei Marine Centre we see this requirement growing. When SMI was offered to us for purchase, two main aspects motivated us to say yes. Firstly, SMI is a key sub-contractor and we wished to preserve the quality and competitive pricing that they offered us. Secondly, adding the SMI brand with its world class reputation and innovative processes to our stable would add massive value to Oceania Marine’s offerings to clients.”

SMI operates an interiors factory and currently employs 20 staff completing the interiors for projects including superyachts, warships and luxury residences.

Oceania Marine commented, “SMI, while retaining its own identity – SMI Ltd, will be incorporated into Oceania Marine Group, who is totally committed to upholding SMI’s demonstrated core values those of flexibility, absolute quality and total customer satisfaction.”

Oceania Marine has appointed Doug Black as General Manager, and he will be tasked with driving sales to grow the company. SMI has work in hand which Oceania Marine will complete, including a large new interior for one of its refits currently underway in Refit Shed C at Oceania Marine’s North Shipyard.

For more information, visit Oceania Marine.

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