BMT Acquires Verweij & Hoebee
To strengthen BMT’s market position in blue water surveys, BMT Group Ltd, acquired marine survey and consulting engineers, Verweij & Hoebee.
A co-founder of the Association of Marine Surveyors and Consulting Engineers, Verweij & Hoebee was established in 1913 in the Netherlands and has built a strong reputation as a leading provider of both blue water (coastal) and brown water (inland) Hull & Machinery (H&M) surveys in Europe.
Bruce Verweij, Managing Director, comments: “This acquisition actually gives us the best of both worlds. As a part of the BMT group we can fall back on the many facilities within the group, share our knowledge with them (both technical knowledge and that of the markets) and make use of BMT's international network to reach new customers. Whilst at the same time, we can remain a smaller specialist company serving a niche market in Europe.
The long-term relationship we enjoy with many of our customers is based on trust and personal contact. We can now offer these customers a wider service, whilst retaining the identity and personal service for which the company is renowned. As no family successor is available, the invitation to join the BMT group has allowed the continuity of our "family company" (which will become 100 years old in July 2013) within a larger family.”
With a team of 14, Verweij & Hoebee has offices in both Amsterdam and Rotterdam and has been in the ownership of the same family since its formation.
Peter French, Chief Executive of BMT Group explains: “We’re very pleased to be able to welcome Bruce and his team to BMT. This acquisition complements the wealth of experience and technical expertise that our surveying companies have in marine casualty investigation, H&M surveys, audits and specialist independent consultancy. Having Verweij & Hoebee as part of the BMT group will allow us to offer a much wider and in depth service to the Northern Europe market and will support the continued growth of our worldwide network of H&M surveyors.”
