KPM Marine has had a meteoric rise since first appearing at Seawork in 2009 and carrying off the coveted Spirit of Innovation Award for its Run Dry Pumping System.
A year later KPM was Spirit of Innovation Award category winner for Vessel Design with its Triple Stage Shock Mitigation Seating. Completing an unprecedented Seawork treble over consecutive years, KPM was runner-up for the top Spirit of Innovation Award again in 2011 with the Eco-Mast Renewable Onboard Power Generator.
Each subsequent Seawork sees a wealth of new designs from the prolific Jules Morgan, including a vastly expanded range of shock mitigation seating systems for RIBs, other fast craft, and wind farm support vessels. Such has been the uptake for these products with new orders that KPM Marine has had to expand both its design department and the project management team. A new high-speed CNC machine never stops working at the Birmingham factory. And before Seawork 2013, KPM will have launched a new interactive website designed to be a technical resource, providing the ability to download drawings and technical data sheets in 3D models, DXF and DWG formats.
One of KPM’s focuses at Seawork this summer will be its Sea-Ka-no modularised workboat fit-out system, with a half cabin demonstrator on the stand complete with a virtual reality programme. The core principle of Sea-Ka-no is the use of specially designed KPM Uni Trac that is fitted to floor, wall and roof voids in the cabin. It is the same principle used in commercial airliners, which can be stripped out and fitments repositioned in a matter of hours. The manufacture of modular systems in its factory is much faster than fabrication onboard the vessel. All components and sub-assemblies can be bolted into the vessel quickly and precisely. KPM service skirts and roof runs allow wiring to be accessed or plugged into at any point. This predictable build process eliminates indecision and confusion, significantly reducing build time and cost.
It is not only effective ergonomics and comfortable habitation that is addressed but also regulatory compliance. The formula is definitely proving popular, with KPM currently providing an installation quote every day in the UK and abroad. An entire 21m wind farm support vessel can be fitted out by three people in three weeks. KPM expects to double in size this year, with increased sales of seating , complete bridge and habitation spaces.
Jules Morgan told MJ: “We have recognised that the vessel build cost, as competition increases, needs to fall. With multiple vessels being built it allows standardisation and the cost of build can be taken out at design stage rather than during the build, which creates delays and unforeseen cost.”
As well as on KPM’s stand at Seawork, the Sea-Ka-no system can also be seen on the floating pontoon in fit-outs of vessels for East Coast Charters, Workships, Solent Seas Marine, and Alicat.
