Unique Group acquires Oceanwide S.a.S.
Unique Group, the leading integrated subsea and offshore solution provider, has acquired Oceanwide Safety at Sea in a deal that joins two global leaders in the diving industry.
Oceanwide is market leading in the design, construction and maintenance of self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboats. Its integration into Unique Group represents great opportunity for investment in new products and better access to its global customers.
Founded in 2002, the company will be wholly owned by Unique Group but will continue to be managed by its founders, Rob Bunders and Klaas Kapteijn, with the current workforce being retained.
Oceanwide will be able to expand its services across the regions where Unique Group has existing facilities, including the Middle East, Singapore and the USA. Oceanwide will use Unique Group’s capital to invest in research, development and continued innovation. This is Unique Group’s first acquisition since it announced an ambitious growth plan earlier this year, and the acquisition of a Rotterdam office will open up access to new clients across the Antwerp, Hamburg and Bremen seaports.
Harry Gandhi, founder and CEO of Unique Group said: “As a customer of Oceanwide’s for many years, we are well aware of the quality of its products. No other company can match Oceanwide’s position in the market.
“This acquisition brings a true global market leader into the Unique Group and provides Oceanwide with the platform to extend its capabilities internationally and pursue a number of new and exciting growth opportunities.
“Unique Group has a reputation for expertise in the offshore diving sector and this acquisition can only enhance that.”
Rob Bunders, joint founder of Oceanwide S.a.S said: “This transaction gives Oceanwide a partner to take our business to the next level.
“As well as bringing operational and financial benefits, we can also invest in innovation with a specific focus on new materials and new technology for the next generation of our product.
“Our customers will continue to receive a quality service, but with presence in new locations, we can be even more responsive and faster to market.”
Oceanwide S.a.S.
Oceanwide Safety at Sea started in 2002 as a service company providing repair and maintenance services to all types of lifeboats. In 2003 the company acquired the original moulds, prototype certificates and all approval rights from “Mulder & Rijke” in the Netherlands. With the vast experience of the employees at the time, who all have worked for many years in this specialised business a new Hyberbaric Lifeboat was developed. The first SPHL was delivered in November 2003 to Comex in France, which was the start of a long-term commitment to the safety within the diving industry.
All lifeboats are build under MED and Solas and the SPHL’s have a prototype approval by Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Furthermore, in May 2011 American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) approved the SPHL Hull 106, being a 9,5 meter SPHL for 12 divers.
For the service the company is certified by Germanischer Lloyd and Lloyds Register and is working according to the rules of “Lloyds Register Yacht and Small Craft Services, TECH. NOTE 531”. As of March 2011 the company is also certified for the ISO 9001:2008.
Contacts – for all enquiries please contact:
Frazer Blyth
Blue Water Energy
T: +44 (0) 207 2905090
M: +44 (0) 7793 041618
E: [email protected]
