Marine signage firm is looking forward to the year ahead after expanding its offerings and opening a new office space
Founded in 2007, marine signage and décor firm Bourne Group offers a wide range of products, from International Maritime Organization (IMO) compliant signage and low-level lighting systems, to the most decorative hotel signage that includes way-finding systems, venue signage, operational placards and exterior signage.
The company is focused on expanding this range in order to meet the needs of its customers. “As ships become more focused on the guest experience, it is important that we continue to invest in new manufacturing technologies that enable us to match the innovative designs that are now demanded by our clients and designers,” explains Patrick McNulty, Bourne Group’s co-owner.
Based in South Carolina in the US, Bourne Group operates out of a 35,000 square feet manufacturing space which houses facilities for printing, digital cutting, CNC routing, laser cutting, carpentry, welding and painting. The company has also opened an office in the Netherlands, from which it will be able to better service its clients’ vessels in the European market. This office will allow Bourne Group to survey, install and project manage dry docks to allow better reach and service to cruise operators with European itineraries. “Being located near Schipol airport allows our team to access vessels in mainland Europe and, in most cases, enables ship visits during a turnaround port day as opposed to sailing with the vessel,” McNulty says.
The company has also added additional services to its business. “Bulkhead graphics that meet IMO requirements are a new service that we have added in 2018,” explains Gregg LoGuidice, co-owner at the company. “Print technology advancements over the last five years have allowed our company to offer a larger variety of decorative options to choose from and a cost-effective way for our clients to enhance a venue onboard their vessels.”
What’s more, Bourne Group is now a service supplier for both Lloyds Register and DNV to test low location lighting systems onboard vessels. Its surveyors travel globally to follow the international itineraries demanded by the cruise industry.
In the interests of improving the industry standard of managing onboard signage for its clients, as well as promoting a more streamlined approach to procure signage, Bourne Group has also created a new online platform that captures signage locations called ‘The Helm’, “This platform is designed to map all signage onboard a vessel, giving the viewer the ability to locate all vessel signage through an interactive map,” McNulty explains. “When selecting a sign, a breakdown is given for the manufacturing specifications as well as cost. This limits confusion between the vessel and the buyer that can typically result in incorrect orders being placed.”
Images and article courtesy of Cruise & Ferry Review