February 2021 | Armada Engineering expands it's operations in Barcelona

 Armada Engineering, a Falmouth based leader in marine hydraulics, has expanded its workshop in Barcelona, as part of its commitment to deliver worldwide services to the growing superyachts sector.

The new workshop is located at MB92 Barcelona, one of the largest superyacht refit shipyards in the world, with a huge 220m dry dock.

Armada Engineering Managing Director Joff Collins says: “In August 2019, Armada Engineering opened a new facility inside MB92 Barcelona, in order to offer an even better service to our key superyacht customers. After just one year of operation, we had begun to outgrow our workshop and started to look for larger facilities to service our growing number of customers.”

“We are happy to announce that we are now fully functioning in a new larger workshop inside MB92. This new space offers a 5 tonne crane and better access through a 15m entrance, so we can now service even larger vessels.”

Project Manager Jon Else said: “Since opening in Barcelona, we have worked on over 20 superyachts, including some of the most luxurious in the world. We have provided the full range of services, everything from fault finding to overhauls and complete refits. Over 1000 hoses have been fitted and over 100 cylinders serviced and resealed. We have removed and overhauled passerelles and doors and assisted original equipment manufacturers in a multitude of removals and fittings.

“The new facilities allow us to work more efficiently, especially on large equipment. It is a really exciting development for the company and will enable significant further growth over the years ahead.”

The chief engineer of a 58m sailing yacht, whom we cannot name for reasons of confidentiality, said:

“We had Armada Engineering onboard after a mechanical failure of the lift keel had left the system inoperable. The team in Barcelona led by Jon were extremely helpful, knowledgeable and professional in every aspect of the job. From diagnosing the issues and safely lowering the keel, to designing and installing a temporary locking nut signed off by the local Lloyds surveyor to allow the vessel to be re-floated while waiting on parts to be manufactured. Alongside the keel work we also contracted Jon and his team to take on a lot of other hydraulic work onboard which was always completed to a very high standard. The guys would always find a solution to any problem and keep us in the loop of their findings. We found the team at Armada Engineering to be a pleasure to work with, always friendly and willing to go the extra mile to get the job done. I would highly recommend Armada for anyone looking to get hydraulic and engineering works completed while in Barcelona.”

A total contingent of 5 staff from Falmouth are currently based at Barcelona.

This the latest development in a period of rapid growth for Armada Engineering, which has seen a string of new contract wins since its management buy-out in 2017.

It comes at a time when the global market for superyachts has experienced impressive growth. Over the last 20 years, the worldwide fleet of superyachts above 24 metres in length has almost quadrupled, from 2,000 in 1999, to nearly 8,000 in 2020.

Joff Collins says: “We are continually building on our experience in this area, having worked on some of the world’s largest and most sophisticated superyachts. The new workshop is part of our strategy to grow this part of our business even further. With the current disruption with air travel, having key staff based locally in the Mediterranean is a further asset for us.

“Over recent years Armada has carried out projects in Europe, USA, South America, Egypt, Japan, China, and South Korea. This is a truly global customer base. Our team thrives on the tough technical challenges created by this market and can be mobilised to any location in the world.”