Pride in ownership and trust in delivery – The SMS Group is excelling with fit out and marine interior refurbishments in 2021, exceeding budget by circa 25%.
The SMS Group has an enviable reputation as specialists in ship repair, marine engineering and major fabrication projects in the Commercial Marine, Defence, Cruise and Superyacht sectors.
Focusing on outfit has been key for the newly relocated SMS Group, now based inside ABP’s Southampton footprint, located less than half a mile from the new Cruise terminal.
The business has managed through the pandemic by maintaining low overheads and developing an entrepreneurial approach to fit out – completing numerous Cruise, Ferry and Defence projects, both in the UK and overseas, in a Covid-secure environment.
Dan Lockyer, Head of Interiors, talks about the SMS difference: “There are many marine outfitters in the market, both locally and internationally.
“My team and I have been fortunate enough to work for some of the best. These experiences have taught us so much.
“As SMS we’ve worked hard to completely remove the disconnect between the estimating team and the delivery team, as a Project Manager at SMS you own the whole job, start to finish. That’s the difference with SMS.”
He added: “We’re 100% focused on protecting both the customers' interests and the Project Managers'.
“Because we’re a much smaller, more dynamic team, perhaps more of a boutique outfitter, our Project Managers own all their works from ‘cradle through to grave’.
“They liaise with the customer from the outset, they quote the job, we peer-review the quote - taking the time to seek improved economical solutions.
“The Project Manager then goes on to plan the job, manage the suppliers and the subcontractors, and then ultimately deliver the works package.
“This approach ensures two things: no finger pointing, and no mistakes in delivery.”
He concludes by saying: “Peer-to-peer review is genuinely important too.
“It ensures accurate quotations and realistic project plans. With over 100 years of time served experience within our fit out team we’ve learnt plenty of real world lessons.
“We know what works and what doesn’t, and perhaps more importantly we genuinely appreciate the long-term life-time value of key customer relationships.
“If it can be done we’ll do it. If it can’t be done we’ll be honest with the customer and together agree a solution that works. We’re playing the long-term game.”
The SMS Group provides turnkey outfit solutions to all marine Operators, globally, including the provision of ‘Ride On Squads’ and mechanical / structural engineering solutions.
