Grimsby business 3Q Industrial Supplies Ltd has become an exclusive service centre and distributor for a world-class survival equipment manufacturer in a Humber union.

Beverley-based Marine Rescue Technologies has signed up with the Europa Park company, joining life jacket manufacturer Mullion, in a move which will now see the service facility located immediately off the A180 entrance to the town tripled in size.

The agreement will cover MRT personal locator beacons.

It follows the establishment of a technical competence centre by 3Q, which also provides calibration for electrical, mechanical and pressure and temperature test equipment.

Pete Rose, director, said: “The past five years has seen major investment in training and the deal with MRT now completes an overall service and supply package which is unrivalled by anyone within the Humber region. Moving forward with the expansion of our facility, service capabilities, product and hire supply, we will look to firmly establish ourselves as the market leader.

“For me this is a natural follow on for the work we have done to get this far. Working with two world class original equipment manufacturers in Mullion and MRT, it is one of the best deals we have signed.

“It further emphasises what we are looking to do. You don’t get to work with MRT and Mullion overnight, they do not come to you without looking at the investment you are making.”

SOLAS approved, having completed a Maritime and Coastguard Agency audit, the expansion of the Gilbey Road premises will be completed by Paul Wallis Building and Joinery over the summer.

“We are local businesses, made up of local people. A lot of people, nationally, are moving in to this area, but this is organic growth of an existing business,” Mr Rose added.

The significant investment in the premises adds to training, with apprentices going through HNC and HND qualifications and training in Finland, Ireland and East Yorkshire.

Investment in additional resources to further business development has also been made, with 25 per cent of 3Q’s business now in offshore survival, a figure he sees continuing to grow.

Ryan Pettit, director and chief executive of Beverley-based MRT, said: “With Grimsby becoming the hub for green energy it is definitely the right time to introduce a service provider in this area.”

The company’s flagship product takes the search out of search and rescue, and has been manufacturing and supplying man overboard safety systems to vessels and other marine facilities in the offshore oil and gas, defence, commercial marine and renewable industries worldwide for the past 40 years.

Specifically designed to meet new international safety standards, the PLB combines industry-leading 121.5MHz, VHF DSC and AIS technologies.

Existing partner Mullion also welcomed the addition, with sister company Ursuit also dealt with by 3Q.

Jane Goodwin, managing director of the Lancashire giant, part of the £300 million Sioen Industries Group, said: “We are very pleased with this, and have been since two or three years ago when 3Q set up and started with just life jackets. This now offers the complete package with the addition of the MRT beacons. It is unparalleled and unique in this area, to offer a full service package for such equipment used in wind farm and other offshore work, as well as on oil terminals and quaysides.”

Emphasising the ability to drop off and collect on the way to work, she added: “It is supporting us by giving a very good service, as much for the end user as the individual companies.”

Read the article on the Business Live website here