Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd – in Liquidation

[Allan]

BBC News website today has the story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-g ... t-28803561.

Apparently it all happened this morning – 70 of the 77-strong workforce made redundant with immediate effect.

Very sad – the last of a long line of shipbuilders on the Clyde, been there since 1902 – now no more.

[Angus Mac Kinnon]

More than sad, tragic for Port Glasgow and Greenock areas.

[Deepol]

Ah but when we become a Nation again all that will be reversed with full employment....

[alasdairmac]

Very sad news but linking this with Angus' post on the Norwegian built and owned well boat heading for Troon I am prompted to ask why none of the large number of such vessels operating here are either Scottish built or even owned. Surely this is the ship size and sort.of niche market that Fergies could have gone after?

[Angus Mac Kinnon]

No question that with the modern technology employed on these vessels nowadays it is certainly a bit of a niche market, but as you rightly intimate, Fergusons were - over the years - admirably suited to meet the demands of that market. Same thing applies to ferries and dredgers, we have rapidly dropped out of these specialist markets too. In terms of designs and craftsmanship the Ferguson Yard was as good as any, but for whatever reason, most probably commercial, the work started to get subbed out to Poland and other non-Scottish/British outfits. Similar thing happened down in Troon when the Ailsa shipyard started losing out, yet their products were also recognised as being of the highest quality. Ironically, one of the worst developments in recent years was the merging of Ailsa and Ferguson - that was not a clever idea and was more political than sensible. Wonder what ever happened to all the new apprentices that Ailsa had started, shortly before the end, in the belief that there was a future? Finally, bad enough that our shipbuilding skills have been eroded beyond recovery, but why have our ship-repairing and dry-docking skills gone the same way?

[davidships]

The last vessel at Fergusons, KYLE VENTURE, under conversion from GRAMPIAN FALCON to a live fish carrier for NW Scotland salmon interests, is apparently to be completed by the Administrators.

Anyone know the owners of KYLE VENTURE?

[alasdairmac]

Hi David, as far as I can see it's a Glasgow company called Fish and Ships (that is an S and not a C by the way) but who knows who is hiding behind it! Wouldn't surprise me if somebody like Ferguson Transport of Kishorn moved into live fish carrying as they have developed a good business in fish farm support work already and I'd have thought that with their contacts it would be a logical progression.

[StewartM]

Only thing I have heard is that they are allegedly a new player in the fish farming and processing game.

[davidships]

Thanks.
Fish & Ships Ltd (and a subsidiary Kyle Shipping Ltd) is jointly owned by Alexander Mackenzie and Douglas Gibson, who are two of the partners in Thistle Engineering Ltd of Fort William.
http://www.thistle-eng.co.uk/

They seem to have close relations with Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd

[_on_the_clyde_]

Company Directors can be found here:

http://companycheck.co.uk/company/SC447 ... ecretaries

Name : FISH & SHIPS LTD
Address : Clydeport Building, 16, Robertson Street, Glasgow, G2 8DS, United Kingdom.

[alasdairmac]

According to a story just breaking in the on-line Herald, Jim McColl has been named as the preferred bidder
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home ... 1408975433

Great news for Fergies and the Clyde - if anyone can do it this man can.

[yorkieman]

Aye Alasdair, and a very handy spot for building that new Scottish Defence Force to be based at Faslane!

[Angus Mac Kinnon]

Very astute businessman, Mr McColl, so there might well be something in the point you are making, Yorkie-mannie. His acquisition of the Glasgow engineering giant, Weir, and the subsequent big killing made on disposing of it shortly later to American interests, demonstrates his vision and skills. All the hoo-ha about ex-apprentice altruistically buying his old firm and saving all these jobs, etc, etc, all hoo-ha. Consummate businessman of proven calibre, so watch out for the ultimate game plan - which has probably little to do with shipbuilding

[alasdairmac]

You may well be right Angus, but if he does rebuild the business into one able to compete internationally in appropriate niche markets and sells it on as such then good luck to him. He'll go off with the Clyde and all of Scotland's thanks as well as a fistfull of the readies.

[Clydebuilt1971]

Give the guy a chance - or do we just let the yard close and lament it's passing?

[clydesider]

Thankfully, Ferguson Marine Engineering appears to be doing very well with the redevelopment of the yard into a modern facility as well as the construction of the two new Calmac ferries now making steady progress.
Apart from a short trip to the Garvel, the Kyle Venture has been at the fitting out quay for more than two years now. Even taking into account the receivership of the "old" Fergusons, that seems to be a very long time for a conversion job. Does anyone have an update on this?

[clydesider]

There is a notice in the Metro today calling a meeting of creditors of Fish and Ships Limited. Said company are the owners of the Kyle Venture, as noted in the posts above.

[alasdairmac]

Was wondering what was happening to it. Maybe the liquidators will be able to sell it on but Fergies could still be losers.


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[_on_the_clyde_]

Ferguson Marine owner says cash needed to finish ferry contract: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... s-45340128

[_on_the_clyde_]

BBC News - Clyde shipyard Ferguson set to go into administration
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... s-49299585

[Allan]

As the last remaining commercial ship-building yard on the Clyde, sincerely hope the Scottish Government will take on the task of resolving the current problems at the yard, and try to ensure Ferguson’s (by whatever name) can continue into the future.