Engine company says half year sales are 30% up on last year
Barrus has officially opened its new £2.5 milion site in Bicester, near Oxford, and announced upgrades to the company’s production and servicing facilities.
The new building and facilities were opened by Gabriella Hart and Olivia
Newall, the granddaughters of Robert Glen, who is the grandson of
the company’s founder, Mr. E. P. Barrus.
Also in attendance were Mr Tony
Stratton, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, the Rt. Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP,
local councillors, members of the Glen family, business partners and
customers.
“Bicester can take pride in the fact that Barrus custom builds the engines for 95% of the MoDs craft under 100ft at their Bicester based facilities. We also provide the power for 220 RNLI stations, RNLI flood relief craft plus the RNLI beach rescue fleet,” said Robert Glen, Chairman of E. P. Barrus Ltd, speaking at the opening ceremony.
The emergency services organisations are key customers of Barrus, including the majority of the UK Police Forces and Fire and Rescue Services, with Oxfordshire and neighbouring Buckinghamshire using Barrus supplied engines.
“Thanks to the continued support of our customers, I am delighted to announce that at our half year point sales are over 30% up on last year,” said Robert Glen. Our marine business has made a significant contribution to this sales success with the Mariner and Mercury outboard brands maintaining their number one position. The award-winning Quicksilver boat range has proved extremely popular and sales continue to grow out pacing our main competition. A significant contract for Yanmar marine diesel engines has further secured our customised engine business with the MoD,” concluded Robert Glen.
The new facilities include the latest technology in spare parts handling, capable of carrying over 22,000 product lines and equating to 17 tonnes of parts. “Our modern, new facility and the investment in spare parts systems will assist in increasing our efficiencies and more importantly the service we provide to all our customers,” said Robert Muir, Managing Director, E. P. Barrus Ltd.
