A FALMOUTH-based marine hydraulics firm is opening a workshop in Barcelona as part of its commitment to expand worldwide services in the superyachts sector.

Armada Engineering will be located at MB92 Barcelona, one of the largest superyacht refit shipyards in the world.

The world’s largest superyachts can stand in the 220m dry dock. MB92 Barcelona has a further 2,000 T Syncrolift and is opening a new 4,800 T Shiplift.

An initial contingent of four staff from Falmouth will be based in Barcelona from September 2019, with further staff to be recruited.

Armada Engineering's managing director Joff Collins said: “The fast-growing superyachts sector represents a fantastic opportunity for Armada Engineering. This is an area where we already have excellent experience, having worked on some of the world’s top superyachts.

"For example, we designed the hydraulic starting system for the world’s fastest superyacht, which is owned by the Aga Khan. There is huge potential for our business to expand its superyacht customer base across Europe and further afield. Our new base in Barcelona will enable us to grow this area of our business significantly and we are really looking forward to working as part of the team at MB92.”

MB92 Barcelona is part of MB92 Group, which also has a shipyard in La Ciotat, in the south of France.

Pepe Garcia-Aubert, CEO and President of MB92 Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Armada Engineering on board as one of our team of leading suppliers on-site. MB92 is committed to providing state of the art support to superyacht owners and we offer the very highest levels of service. Armada Engineering share our vision for outstanding service as well as our pioneering approach. At MB92, we are setting new standards redefining the future for superyacht refit and we are confident that Armada Engineering, which has a strong track record in customer-focussed innovation, will help us deliver this.”

The new workshop at MB92 Barcelona is 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 and its brand relaunch in July 2018.

Joff added: “Armada Engineering is an ambitious business with customers from around the globe. Armada has recently carried out projects in Europe, USA, South America, Egypt, Japan, China, and South Korea. Our new workshop in Barcelona is the first step on our journey to grow the business further, meeting the needs of tomorrow’s worldwide marine markets.”