Liverpool-based welding and fabrication specialist manufactured and installed new water-tight doors for two Isle of Man Steam Packet vessels – Manannan and Ben-my-Chree

Liverpool marine fabrication firm Wren Industrial has manufactured and installed a collection of new water-tight and fire-rated doors for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

The welding and fabrication specialist has a long-standing relationship with the famous ferry firm, which is renowned as the oldest continuously operating passenger shipping company in the world – founded in 1830.

The latest contract involved ‘through-night’ door maintenance onboard freight, passenger and vehicle ferries the Manannan, which operates between Liverpool and the Isle of Man, and Ben-my-Chree.

Wren Industrial, which was founded in 1990 and recently bought by Merseyside entrepreneur and former member of the Armed Forces Jonathan Willoughby, designed, manufactured and installed the new doors.

Wren engineers travelled to the Port of Heysham in Lancashire to carry out the installation work while sailing overnight to avoid disruption to service.

“The installation of new doors on the Manannan and Ben-my-Chree involved full removal and replacement of a number of doors,” said Mr Willoughby.

“This included all the fixtures and fittings from handles and locks to seals and latches. The new doors were designed and fabricated with mild-steel which we treated at our manufacturing hall in Liverpool, before being transported and welded into position.

“They will be used by passengers and crew and are made to a high grade, water-tight and fire-rated specification.”

Mr Willoughby, who has 25 years’ experience in the oil and gas sector, also runs welding and fabrication company Yorkwall Engineering in Ellesmere Port.

He is aiming to double turnover at Wren in the next 12 months. The purchase forms part of a broader ‘build and buy’ strategy which will see the addition of more complementary engineering companies, eventually merging all into one new brand name.