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BAE Systems steps in to keep ship firm afloat

Published on: 8 Jan 2019

A key supplier to BAE Systems has thanked the defence tech giant for stepping in when it faced collapse.

Just before Christmas 2017, the hopes and dreams of the 50-strong Burgess Marine team at Portsmouth Naval Base were nearly sunk after an unpaid invoice for a superyacht left the business foundering.

However, a well-planned and swift change of ownership to The SMS Group has made the business buoyant again and the team are looking forward to an even more successful 2019.

Burgess Marine, who had been resident at Portsmouth Naval Base as suppliers to BAE Systems for 15 years, found themselves in severe financial difficulties due to an unpaid account in a different marine sector.

The SMS Group’s commercial and communications director Nick Warren explained that the senior management team of Burgess Marine engaged with BAE Systems from the start of their difficulties.

He commented: “We were only able to do so thanks to the highest quality relationships and the ethos and ethical awareness of BAE Systems’ own supply chain team - together with BAE Systems’ proactive and partnering approach to the customer / supplier relationship.

“Thanks to BAE Systems we weathered a terrifying storm, their help and professionalism helped protect jobs and save custom. As a management team we’re eternally grateful for their proactive support and understanding.”