Marine repair company I.M.E Group Ltd acquired by Damen
Marine repair company I.M.E Group Ltd has been acquired by the Dutch shipyard Damen, following close collaboration between the two parties since the opening of Damen Services’ UK Service Hub in 2021.
This acquisition supports Damen’s strategic goal of providing full lifecycle support, expanding the range of services available to clients throughout the UK in their day-to-day operations.
IME was established in 2006 by Paul and Tina Langford, providing electrical, engineering and fabrication services for the global marine, petrochemical and industrial sectors. With over 40 staff, it provides a 24/7 marine repair and maintenance support from its HQ in Southampton, including dockings, refits and repairs, mechanical and engineering repairs, motor and generator rewinds and electrical repairs and installations.
Paul Langford, Founder and Managing Director of I.M.E, said:
“From the very beginning, our collaboration with Damen Services and Michael Nolan, Service Hub Manager UK, has felt like a natural fit. We share a commitment to quality, responsiveness, and putting the customer first. Becoming part of the Damen Services family is a great step for us at I.M.E, and we’re excited to continue delivering exceptional service, now with even greater reach and resources behind us.”
Damen is an international shipyard group based in Gorinchem, The Netherlands. It manufactures marine vessels, including tugs, defence and security vessels, ferries, dredging vessels, cargo and workboats. It also offers repair services and chartering, alongside digital integration and brokerage.
Damen opened its UK Service Hub in 2021 with the aim of providing lifecycle support to operators of Damen vessels in the region working with local suppliers. The company operates a global network of such hubs, offering its clients fast and reliable local services.
When planning to open its UK Service Hub, Damen Services selected the strategic location of Southampton due to its proximity to the marine traffic and large number of work boats in the English Channel area.
In 2023, the close cooperation between Damen Services and I.M.E led to the two companies signing an MoU. With this, Damen Services received access to I.M.E’s facilities, including office space, workshop, yard and equipment, and was able to grow its service operations in the UK.
Edwin van der Poel, Director at Damen Services UK, commented:
“This development demonstrates the close synergy between our two organisations during the past years. We have cooperated well together, growing our relationship and aligning our values and standards. By bringing I.M.E into the Damen Services family, we take the next step in the development of our services offering to our UK-based clients, ensuring them of seamless, round-the-clock support they can count on.”
Damen Services UK has further expanded its support to UK clients with the recent opening of an office in Portchester. The new office is located adjacent to a docking site with synchrolift facilities.