Halyard buys Cerambond

By IBI Magazine

Halyard Group, a UK manufacturer of marine silencing systems, has announced the acquisition of Cerambond, a specialist manufacturer of exhaust hose and silicon exhaust products, previously a division of Rediweld Rubber and Plastics. As a result, Halyard claims, it becomes the first company worldwide to manufacture entire marine exhaust systems in-house.

Halyard Group, which has four manufacturing sites located in Salisbury, Portsmouth and Wimborne, specialises in systems to reduce noise and vibration on pleasure boats, commercial craft and superyachts with marine engines up to 2,000hp. The Group already manufactures GRP silencers and stainless steel exhaust injection elbows, and the addition of exhaust hose manufacture through the purchase of Cerambond is a logical extension to the Group's activities.

Cerambond is located in Portsmouth, close to an existing Halyard manufacturing site. Following the takeover, the Halyard Group will employ 80 people and turnover will exceed GBP4m per annum. Over 30 per cent of Halyard's production is exported to the yacht and commercial craft sectors in the European Community and the Far East.

Cerambond's staff adds a further niche manufacturing skill to those already on offer within the Halyard Group. Following the announcement of the acquisition, it is intended that all Cerambond employees will continue with the firm, including divisional manager George Bruce, who brings over 35 years of hose building experience.

Halyard Group managing director James Grazebrook commented "Cerambond is the final link in the vertical integration planned by Halyard three years ago. We now manufacture every single component in the exhaust systems we supply. This enables Halyard to offer a total bespoke service for marine engines up to 2,000hp worldwide, while continuing to hold the largest stock of marine exhaust system components anywhere in Europe. In addition, Cerambond brings useful sales into new sectors including aviation, motor vehicles and ocean safety equipment."

(6 March 2003)