DESMI
PUMPING SOLUTIONS FOR MARINE AND BEYOND
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DESMI
I PROFILE
UK-based D is successfu sectors. Man
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DESMI Ltd was the very first subsidiary of DESMI outside of Denmark. DESMI Ltd ully engaged in delivering pumping solutions to the marine, industry and defence naging Director Lee Roberts outlined the exciting future for DESMI as the whole group of companies gears up for growth. Report by Phil Nicholls.
ounded in 1834, Danish company
F
“We offer a consultative sales approach,
DESMI has specialised in the develop-
working closely with our customers to
ment, manufacture, sale and service
ensure we provide the best possible
of pumps and pumping solutions for the
solutions for them. We also have local
marine, industry, defence and utility sectors.
aftersales support in the UK, providing
Marine is the largest part of DESMI Ltd’s
spare parts and engineering capability
business, but over the years, the company
on short response times.”
has expanded into other segments as well. “DESMI offers a large range of well-
The parent group is one of Denmark’s oldest companies, with a proud history of
designed and built pumps, suitable for the
supplying good, reliable solutions to cus-
harsh environments of the marine world,”
tomers. Throughout this time, DESMI has
explained Managing Director Lee Roberts.
maintained an innovative approach and explored the opportunities of the global market. In 2022, the DESMI Group was sold to a global equity company that is investing heavily in the business. “This will make us a more global operation,” said Mr Roberts. “We have now outgrown our day-to-day processes, so we need to take the business to another level.” DESMI Ltd has a comprehensive facility in the UK, complete with sales, support and service capabilities. The main manufacturing
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DESMI
I PROFILE
“
DESMI offers a large range of well-designed and built pumps, suitable for the harsh environments of the marine world
“
is carried out over in China and at
there are 11 employees. The
the group’s Head Office in Denmark.
UK office of DESMI enjoys an
However; the UK operation has the
annual turnover of around £4.5m
engineering capability to build pump sets
to £5m on a standard year, while
and create bespoke pumping solutions for
larger defence projects can increase
customers locally.
this amount considerably.
Globally, there are around 1,000 people employed within DESMI, while in the UK
Pumps for any vessel Within the marine sector, there are thousands of DESMI pumps at work on the seven seas. For more than 60 years, the group has supplied pumps to the world’s fleet – from the largest container ships to the smallest fishing vessels. Regardless of the size of the ship. DESMI understands the owners’ demands for many years of trouble-free operation. DESMI offers complete pump packages that have been designed to meet the cus-
188 Inside marine
tomer’s requirements regarding reliability
Dedicated service
and efficiency. Also on offer are ballast
This extensive range of products is supple-
water management systems, scrubber
mented by an equally impressive package
pump solutions, cargo pumps and much
of customer support provided by DESMI
more for the marine sector.
DeServe. Alongside comprehensive man-
As part of the group’s extensive portfolio
uals, DESMI DeServe handles everything
across multiple sectors, DESMI also sup-
from installation, commissioning, service
plies sprinkler systems, oil spill response
and sale of spare parts on behalf of all
equipment, helicopter refuelling systems,
segments and DESMI companies. This level
fire-fighting equipment, as well as many
of worldwide support makes it even easier
other products.
to own a DESMI product.
Despite such a comprehensive range
The dedicated service branch gives
of products, Mr Roberts was still able
customers transparent and useful
to pick a project to highlight: “We sup-
insights into how their solutions are per-
plied a complete package of pumps
forming. DESMI’s customers rightfully
to a Scottish shipyard, which have been
expect their products to work reliably
installed on one of the largest inter-island
and efficiently for years; the DeServe
ferries operating in the Highlands and
team are there to ensure those expecta-
Islands of Scotland.”
tions are met.
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DESMI
I PROFILE
Even when the team talk about spare parts, it is never just about the part. The after-sales service from DESMI is about looking beyond the part, and even the pump, to focus on the entire system. The aim is to find the service solutions that will keep that system running reliably and energy-efficiently for years. DESMI DeServe covers all DESMI solutions, plus a wide range of competitor pump brands.
Sustainability and growth The DESMI Group has built long-term relationships with suppliers, mostly focused on companies close to the
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few years. This challenge has had a detrimental effect on the group’s delivery times. However; the shortage is now showing slight signs of improvement, as global availability starts to improve. As it is now under new ownership, DESMI is looking to increase in size and turnover during the next few years. The group is production facility in Denmark. Such dedi-
currently implementing the necessary
cation to maintaining a short supply chain
strategies to facilitate this growth. It is the
is part of the group’s strategy to limit its
ambition of the new owners, that DESMI
carbon footprint.
grows to at least twice its current size.
“As a business, we are doing what we can
This is an exciting time at DESMI as
to increase our sustainability on a day-to-
the group steadily builds. Managing the
day basis,” Mr Roberts explained. “However
delivery of this expanding range of prod-
small the steps may be, we are doing our
ucts is part of the motivation for working
bit to help. From a sales perspective, we
at DESMI Ltd.
supply equipment to increase the energy
“Every day is so different in my role,
efficiency of our pumps and pumping sys-
as we don’t only work in the marine
tems. This goes some way towards helping
industry but in other business areas
our customers to reduce their own carbon
as well,” said Mr Roberts, in conclusion.
footprint – by monitoring and cutting their
“The range of pumps we supply – and
own energy costs.”
the variety of industries we supply
DESMI has been affected by the global shortage of raw materials over the past
into – makes for an interesting and exciting working day.”
n
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