WesCom Group: The latest news on acquisitions, products, staff, events and more
by WesCom Group 21 Dec 2023 00:21 PST
WesCom Group's new product focus at Metstrade 2023 © WesCom Group
Exhibition Report: WesCom Group's new product focus at Metstrade 2023
METSRADE is an annual marine business-to-business exhibition in Amsterdam, which boasts over 18,000 visitors and has become a staple of the marine calendar for introducing new products and meeting customers.
METS 2023 is something of a milestone as the first official showcasing of Wescom Group's new range of marine safety products, including distress beacons, emergency rations and medical supplies. The extended survival solutions range is the result of a combination of recent acquisitions, and internal investment in expanding our European production facilities, to create world-leading safety products that will continue to reinforce Wescom Group's reputation in quality. The new capabilities allow Wescom Group's extensive global distribution network the economic benefits of a single source partner that offers trusted large-volume manufacturing, with logistical expertise in handling time-sensitive and highly regulated products, combined with access to a new range from globally recognised brands that extends Wescom Group's reach in marine bridge and life-raft survival solutions.
Wescom Group CEO Ross Wilkinson states, "The new range being showcased at METS exhibition is the culmination of Wescom Group's organic and acquisition growth strategy, combined with our vision to offer greater value to our global partners and expand on our reputation for excellence in Survival Solutions. We are delighted to have this opportunity to share our plans with our partners."
David Duffin, Vice President Marine Sales Wescom Group, says, "At METS 2023, we launched to our key partners and distributors seven new products the Wescom Marine team has been developing over the last year. Wescom Marine now has the complete life-raft emergency pack offer including pyrotechnics, emergency rations and first aid kits which will enable our distributors to source these key items from one supplier from 2024 onwards. In addition, it was fantastic to see the enthusiasm of visitors (and our sales team) on our METS stand for the sMRT brand of new emergency beacons. We look forward to working within our current network, whilst welcoming new partners and distributors for these key products to grow the Wescom Marine business for years to come."
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New capabilities showcase
Our METS stand prominently featured Wescom Group's latest maritime solutions, including extending the Comet and Pain Wessex brands to include our German-made emergency rations and drinking water and introduced the new ANP Pharma brand of SOLAS and Category C First Aid Kits. The combined range including our world-leading pyrotechnics, positions Wescom Group as a single source supplier for time-expiring survival equipment for bridge safety, life-rafts and lifeboats.
METS was also the ideal platform to highlight our extension of distress signalling into electronics, with the launch of the sMRT ALERT DSC Man overboard device and the preview of our SHIELD + and SHIELD Personal Locator Beacons. The exhibition's highlight was the exciting news that the sMRT ALERT earned a 'Special Mention' at the prestigious METSTRADE DAME Design Awards. This recognition underscores the company's commitment to excellence and innovation in the maritime industry, highlighting the dedication of the entire team.
Marcus Pickering - Marine Marketing Manager stated, "METS has always been a key event to introduce the latest safety innovations and the combination of new stand design, DAME recognition and seven new products made this a stand-out event in 2023." Ryan Pettit, Managing Director, Wescom Electronics, says, "At METS 2023, Wescom Group showcased innovation with our sMRT ALERT earning a 'Special Mention' at DAME Design Awards. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to excellence and highlights the dedication of our team in advancing maritime safety."
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New-look stand launched at METS
The new Wescom Group stand design at METSTRADE featured a fusion of tradition and innovation, showcasing not only established brands like Pains Wessex and Comet Marine but also newer additions to the Wescom Group family - sMRT and ANP Pharma.
Seán McCrystal, the Marketing Director highlighted, "The new stand design provides a platform to highlight our latest brands and new products, while continuing to focus on the unique capabilities of our pyrotechnic distress signalling heritage. METS offers a unique opportunity to spend time with partners, customers and the press and we hope the new look stand allowed us to clearly present our combined survival solutions vision."
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Innovations section added to Wescom Group website
A new innovations section has been added to the Wescom Group website. The section highlights our new safety and survival products and includes product information, photographs and data sheets.
Sean McCrystal, Marketing Director says, "As a global leader in Survival Solutions, our mission is to advance human safety through the provision of top-tier survival solutions, instilling unwavering confidence in our customers when it matters most."
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Welcome to TJ Tracy, VP North and South America
We give a warm welcome to TJ Tracy, who has joined our global team as Vice President -- North & South America. TJ Tracy, who brings a wealth of marine safety and defence industry experience, will focus on growing our North and South American business. This includes our Pains Wessex and Comet products as well as our expanding portfolio of survival solutions in the Americas.
TJ Tracy has worked at a senior level in major maritime brands. He says, "I am very excited to join Wescom Group at such an exciting time for the Americas region and look forward to growing the portfolio for both Defence & Marine."
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