Southampton: SMS Group records strong start to 2021

Southampton-based SMS Group is excelling with fit-out and marine interior refurbishments in 2021, exceeding budget by circa 25%.

Focusing on outfit has been key for the newly relocated business, now based inside ABP’s Southampton footprint, less than half a mile from the new cruise terminal.

The SMS Group specialises in ship repair, marine engineering and major fabrication projects in the commercial marine, defence, cruise and superyacht sectors.

It has managed through the pandemic by maintaining low overheads and developing an entrepreneurial approach to fit-out – completing numerous cruise, ferry and defence projects, both in the UK and overseas, in a covid-secure environment.

Dan Lockyer, head of interiors, said: “There are many marine outfitters in the market, both locally and internationally. My team and I have been fortunate enough to work for some of the best. These experiences have taught us so much.

“As SMS we’ve worked hard to completely remove the disconnect between the estimating team and the delivery team. As a project manager at SMS you own the whole job, start to finish. That’s the difference with SMS.”

He added: “We’re 100% focused on protecting both the customers' interests and the project managers. Because we’re a much smaller, more dynamic team, perhaps more of a boutique outfitter, our project managers own all their works from ‘cradle through to grave’. They liaise with the customer from the outset, they quote the job, we peer-review the quote – taking the time to seek improved economical solutions.

“The project manager then goes on to plan the job, manage the suppliers and the subcontractors, and then ultimately deliver the works package. This approach ensures two things: no finger-pointing, and no mistakes in delivery.”

The SMS Group provides turnkey outfit solutions to all marine operators, globally, including the provision of ‘ride-on squads’ and mechanical/structural engineering solutions.