McGruer & Co Ltd : Andy Rose ...
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Andy has supported McGruer & Co as advisor on GRP moulding and repairs since 1994 and now has a hands-on role, surveying yachts and small commercial vessels in the South Coast for insurance, finance and pre-purchase purposes. He brings the company significant knowledge of GRP / FRP construction.
During the 1970s Andy gained extensive shop floor experience with Landamore’s, Newbridge Boats and Nordic Star Marine moulding and fitting out small cruisers such as the Corribee 21 and Islands Plastics 23 and laying up industrial GRP mouldings. He also worked briefly with Lytham Marine, constructing riverside jetties and piers.
From 1973 to ,76 Andy attended Southampton College of Technology, gaining a Diploma with Credit in Yacht and Boatyard Management whilst continuing to work with various boatyards during the summer months.
On leaving college he was appointed assistant managing director for Solaris Marine, building 42 foot luxury sailing catamarans and developed the first UK use integrated programs for accountancy; payroll; buying; stock control and labour control running on small computers previously used only for scientific purposes.
In 1980 he joined Hovermarine as assistant to the design director controlling computer based systems for the design of one-off innovative sidewall hovercraft in highly structurally engineered GRP to Civil Aviation Authority, Lloyds and Det Norske Veritas.
After Hovermarine Andy established his own small business and was again hands-on, designing, tooling and building 16 foot day sailing catamarans.
In 1986 he joined Halmatic in Havant as Production Controller running a GRP mould shop for RNLI Lifeboats, RIBs, motor yachts, and sailing cruisers from 5m to 20m, all built to Lloyds specifications and certification.
Since 1989 Andy has worked independently as a management and technical consultant. Significant projects include supporting Berthon Boat Co with the construction of Lord Iliffe’s 80 foot luxury superyacht “Dalvina”; advising FBM Marine on the first production run of 12m Mersey Lifeboats in thick-walled foam sandwich Kevlar/Epoxy/PVC composite, devising business strategy and management systems for Freeman & Partners Marine Surveyors and his work with McGruer & Co Ltd.
Andy has always sailed and has raced in Solent and Lymington Points Series, Round the Island Race and Classic Yacht Regattas. He has conducted formal sea trials for completion of build on numerous sailboats, military RIBs, Lifeboats and Motor Yachts.
