On the outskirts of the city of Birmingham, UK, scientists are continuing a seafaring tradition that goes back for centuries.
Almost a hundred miles from the nearest coastline, Lilley & Gillie has established a Technical Centre that is at the cutting edge of bridge equipment design.
Lilley & Gillie, part of the Charente Group of companies, has invested almost a quarter of a million pounds in constructing this dedicated maritime testing facility in the heart of the West Midlands. As well as taking new products to prototype stage, the Technical Centre can undertake equipment proving tests to ensure that all products meet or exceed the provisions of EN 60945. This standard specifies the general requirements for, and testing of, marine navigational and radio communication equipment and systems. The standard has to be met in order to satisfy regulations appertaining to equipment operating both internally and externally on board ships.
Glenn Heathcote, Lilley & Gillie’s managing director, said:
Establishing the Technical Centre represents a major investment in the company's future. Although you could argue that navigation is steeped in seagoing tradition, it's always been at the forefront of modern technology.
Developments such as ECDIS, BridgeDirect! and new bridge display technology ensures that we are always able to provide the best, which naturally seafarers always demand.
The Lilley & Gillie Technical Centre continues a long tradition of research and development associated with the design and manufacture of navigational equipment. It has its roots in the long established firm of Walker Marine Instruments, which became part of Charente in 2002, a natural complement to the Lilley & Gillie range of navigational products and services. Products include the Chernikeeff brand, strong in the military sector, and it was placed under the Lilley & Gillie wing and the manufacturing plant in the centre of Birmingham was retained.
Modern design practices are at the heart of the philosophy at the Technical Centre.
David Edwards, Lilley & Gillie's design and development director said:
We wanted to take some of the very best design principles and proven industry components and make kit robust enough to stand up to the rigours of use aboard ships.
Our customers deserve the very best in navigational equipment, and that's what they have come to expect from Lilley & Gillie and Walker Marine. That's an enviable reputation, and one which we're proud to be maintaining through our investment in tomorrow's technology. The Technical Centre gives us the ability to develop new designs in bridge equipment, evaluate the equipment and bring it to the market as rapidly as possible.
The Lilley & Gillie paradigm is one of continuous development through innovation over almost two centuries. Its axiom of quality and reliability is widely acknowledged. The Technical Centre continues to move forward through design innovation, implementation, harmonised adaptation and multi discipline integration