Targeting dredging at Seawork

The company was has just become UK and Ireland distributor for the full range of Damen DOP pumps and wanted to promote this to the industry.

Phillip Bell, managing director, Watson & Hillhouse, said to Maritime Journal: “For the first time this year and since we took on the distribution of the Damen DOP Pump, Seawork has become more applicable to us – many of our customers were exhibiting at the show.”

“Exhibiting at Seawork, and the discussions we had with dredging contractors and others, has provided us with a greater insight into the UK dredging industry and in particular the sectors we would be best to target where the DOP pumps would be most suitable.”

He explained post-show that the company received a good level of rental enquiries for the Damen DOP pumps as well as some serious enquiries to purchase which it is now following up. “We were therefore very pleased with how the show went and would definitely exhibit again.”

Around 80% of the firm’s business comes from equipment rental, but it also deals in equipment sale, servicing and parts. It’s very much involved in the marine construction and dredging sectors providing excavator mounted and carne suspended vibrators, hydraulic drop hammers, pile pressing machines and high pressure water jetting.

Watson & Hillhouse has specialised in the provision of pile driving equipment since 1972. The firm also provides on-site equipment maintenance anywhere in the world.

The firm was heavily involved in the supply of equipment to the contractors working on the Felixstowe port expansion project. It has also supplied equipment to the Liverpool 2 project. It has also had its work cut with marine construction projects since the heavy floods that struck the UK in early 2014.

The Damen DOP submersible dredge pump is a versatile tool. At its heart there is a wear-resistant, hydraulically or electrically driven dredge pump. Different types of suction heads can be provided to suit any dredging situation.

By Anne-Marie Causer