Concept Group International is a provider of turn-key design to manufacture solutions. CGI utilise the most current digital systems and automated hardware to consistently ‘fast track’ the development of products to market. An independent partner to multiple transportation & product sectors; CGI’s technology centre is widely considered to be the most advanced of its kind. Investment in the transfer of knowledge and technology is one of the key factors in CGI’s plans for expansion and supporting academic institutions is just one of the ways to achieve this.
Joe Molloy and Steve Rowbotham at CGI have both been instrumental in the progress of the boat design so far, by agreeing to machine all of the scale models for towing-tank testing. After supplies of tooling foam from John Burn Ltd were delivered, CGI set about machining the hull shapes to a level of surface quality and finish that was so good that we didn’t even need to sand the finished models before painting them. Delivery of our models has always been exactly to the agreed timing plan, and their work is second-to-none.
FP Creative is an independent creative communications agency. Their passion is eye-catching design, engaging interactive multimedia, beautiful print, jaw-dropping photography & video and inspirational words. Their clients demand that they differentiate themselves and it is their unique blend of creativity and efficiency that enables them to win the trust of some of the worlds most famous brands. Through true integration they can help your brand reach the right channels. By implementing only those services that benefit you most, they can guide your communications and create new and diverse strategies to ensure your success.
Mike knows Matt Franey, the owner of the business, through incredible work that FP Creative have done for Bentley Motors over the last few years. When Mike asked Matt whether he’d be up for helping with producing the promotional material for the project, his response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic and positive. Matt’s team has already produced some stunning material for us, and a number of exciting projects are in the pipeline. We can’t thank them enough for the time and passion they’ve dedicated to our project.
Global Beach helps clients manage their brands in a digital world. Consumers now have many ways of interacting with a brand; Knowing how to retain an influence over this interaction is where they come in. Global Beach works with clients to provide them with the necessary tools to understand where their users are interacting with their brand. Once they understand the interaction points, they help their clients to develop the right strategies for managing and influencing these interactions in all their digital forms.
MD Peter Cameron agreed to design and build the Project Torpedalo website for free at the end of 2009. By the end of January 2010, the site was designed, coded, tested and ready to be launched. Global Beach will be supporting the project through its entirety by updating the core functions of the website and adding interesting content as the design of the boat progresses. Through clever linking to our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr accounts the site is quickly becoming the central hub of the project, where fans, supporters and sponsors can follow our progress.
John Burn Ltd specialise in materials for the tooling & composite industry as well as the rapid prototyping market and foundry industry. Being at the forefront of materials supply, they have been able to contribute to the development of new innovative materials for industry. John Burn is unique in that not only does it have one of the most comprehensive stocks of Epoxies and Polyurethane Resins, tooling and modelling boards but it also stocks a wide range of consumables and ancillaries to complement these products. In May 2006 John Burn became the sole UK distributor of Sika Tooling & Composites including the SikaBlock® and Biresin brands.
We met the CEO, Giles Colombeau, back in 2009 just as the project was starting. Having chatted casually about the project and our goals for most of a very enjoyable afternoon, Giles made the incredible offer that John Burn would supply the project with any and all modelling and mould-making materials that we needed. In a single meeting, they agreed to provide all of the foams we need to make scale models and eventually the mould tools for the boat.
Mactra Marine is based in north Somerset, and supply a host of equipment for blue water sailing. Not only do they supply a vast range of steering equipment, satellite phones, watermakers and wind turbine equipment, but they also specialise in the design and installation of equipment & fittings for the retail sector. With first hand knowledge of the products that they sell, and a quality used equipment section Mactra is the place to look for the best equipment at bargain prices.
We first met Jim MacDonald, the proprietor, at the London Boat Show in 2010. After the show, Jim got in touch and to our delight told us that he would lend us both an electric watermaker and the mandatory manual backup for our event in December 2011. This is a huge bonus for us, and ultimately will save us about £6,000! Jim has also kindly offered to train us in how to operate, strip, repair and rebuild the units so that we can hopefully not have any watermaker issues on the trip, and if we do then we know how to sort it. Jim and his wife Ann will also be in La Gomera at the start of the voyage to see the Woodvale fleet off.
Those who sail – whether professionally or for pleasure – rely on the products and systems of Mastervolt, wherever they are in the world. After all, nowhere else will you find more choice and possibilities for your on-board electrical system. Storage batteries, generators, charging units, transformers, display panels, wiring and fully integrated systems; the extensive Mastervolt range always offers a solution for any on-board energy problem. For the market sectors of maritime, mobile and solar energy, Mastervolt develops, manufactures and distributes high-quality electrotechnical systems for independent energy supply. With its head office in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and seven of its own branches worldwide, Mastervolt sells these systems in more than 60 countries throughout the world via a network of distributors and dealers.
As with Mactra Marine, we first approached Mastervolt at the London Boat Show. We were contacted by Marc Persoon, their Marketing director, shortly afterwards, and after helping us agree the specification of the bulk of the electrical supply system Marc then confirmed that Mastervolt would supply all of the kit, including both main batteries, free of charge. The boat will feature 170Ah of installed battery capacity and a reliable distribution and monitoring network, all thanks to Mastervolt.
The Lewmar name is known and respected by boat builders and yacht owners the world over. Lewmar’s design, craftsmanship, reliability, innovation and commitment to supporting the marine industry have made their name synonymous with consistent quality and global market leadership. These are the values their company is built on. And that’s why Lewmar is the most recognised name in control-focused boating equipment. With a wide range of steering systems, anchoring system, winches, hatches, hardware, portlights and thrusters, Lewmar empowers boaters with a greater sense of control.
Lewmar’s Marketing Director, Ian Stevenson, kindly agreed to supply us with all of the hatches we need for the boat. These hatches will be our portals to the outside world, and will also separate and seal the three watertight compartments that the boat will feature. Lewmar hatches are recognised as being the best in the world, and as such they receive many requests for sponsorship from crazy people like us. Fortunately, they saw the uniqueness of our challenge and we’re so glad that they’ve chosen to invest in us.
Cycle Solutions is brought to you by Wheelies Direct, as a provider for the Cycle to Work scheme. The Cycle to Work scheme takes advantage of generous tax benefits provided by the UK Government in support of the Bike to Work scheme. This cycle plan has been set up by the government specifically in order to promote the use of bikes as an alternative mode of transport. Substantial investment is being made to develop and improve local cycle routes in order to make cycling safer and more enjoyable. The aim of the Bike to Work Scheme is to get more people cycling to work on a regular basis. This should in turn reduce traffic congestion and pollution to the environment and also improve the health and fitness of the general public.
After having supplied bikes for the hugely successful implementation of this scheme at Bentley Motors, Cycle Solutions were massively positive in supporting Project Torpedalo by providing over £2500 of cycling equipment for training. This includes a pair of road bikes, two turbo trainers and a vast arry of cycling clothing. We’re going to have to get used to wearing a lot of lycra! Special thanks go to Nicholas Price-Jones for making the sponsorship deal happen.
