Houlder has announced a new sales team within its Marine Equipment business. Led by John Virando, who has joined Houlder from fabricator Oceantech, the marine equipment sales team also comprises Judith Henter, Equipment Sales Account Manager, Maria Tilemachou and Dan Allington, both Commercial & Proposals Engineers.

Maria Tilemachou pictured (left) at the recent North East Business Awards with Houlder’s award for innovation

This dedicated team, operating from Houlder’s growing Tyneside base, is responding to an increased level of interest in the company’s innovative equipment from across Europe and further afield. Examples include the US, Azerbaijan, Taiwan and China. Given Houlder’s recent successful track record, the team is concentrating its efforts on identifying further offshore wind clients and projects with challenging technical requirements. They will also identify opportunities for wider applications of Houlder’s equipment design skills in the Oil & Gas, Defence, LNG and Marine sectors.

Andy Lovell,  Houlder Marine Equipment’s Commercial Director commented “It is an exciting time for Houlder and our Marine Equipment business.  The new marine equipment sales team builds on our reputation for being a people focused business. It ensures our client facing skills match our customers’ expectations and effectively respond to procurement opportunities. “

Houlder’s positive attitude towards, and investment in, innovation has been rewarded recently by the North East Business Awards, National Instruments’ Engineering Impact Awards, The Employee Ownership Association Awards and the British Engineering Excellence Awards.

 The company’s clients include Van Oord, Boskalis, EON Climate & Renewables, MPI Offshore, Saipem and Siemens Wind Energy. In a sign of global ambition, Houlder has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ship and Ocean Industries R&D Center (SOIC), Taiwan as part of their commitment to develop offshore wind infrastructure locally.  Houlder’s recent work closer to home includes supporting the installation and operation of East Anglia One, Horns Rev 3, the Walney Extension, Galloper and Rampion Offshore windfarms.

Andy Lovell concludes, “John Virando (pictured) and his marine equipment sales team mean we are better placed than ever to engage with the offshore wind sector and wider offshore marketplace. They are very much looking forward to introducing more clients to our award-winning equipment.”