More than just boats

CTruk, which has already established itself as an innovator in composite vessel design, recently signed the lease on a 6400m² site on the Colne Estuary, a few miles upriver from its current Brightlingsea base. The company plans to use the Fieldgates site in Haven Road, The Hythe, East Colchester to build the larger vessels required for offshore wind farm projects further out to sea.

CTruk is pressing on with refurbishment of the existing building on Fieldgates in order to move some production activity over early next year. However, the company also has ambitious plans to build a brand new production facility, offices and training centre on the currently derelict site. As such, it has applied for a grant through Round 6 of Regional Growth Fund (RGF). Funding support would see CTruk invest to transform from boat builder to ‘Advanced Composite Technology Centre’ creating over 120 new private-sector jobs (including 15 new apprenticeships) over the next few years.

“CTruk has driven innovation in offshore wind vessel design since its inception,” said company chairman Peter McIntosh, “and we intend to continue to apply our unique approach to design and build with the larger accommodation vessels required for the challenging sea conditions further offshore. This requirement is the main driver for our planned expansion, but the technology centre, with its in-house training facility, would also see us well placed to diversify into other commercial marine sectors, set up overseas agreements and also apply our composites expertise to non-marine manufacturing opportunities.”

CTruk expects a decision on grant funding support in early 2015.

By Jake Frith