Maritime Progress has been particularly busy following the recent Sea Asia Event in Singapore. Sales director, Debbie Egan and marine technical manager Andy Goldsmith have had much to do following their return from a very successful trip.

Debbie Egan comments, "This has been one of the busiest exhibitions we have attended and, with more enquiries than ever before, we have had to work hard to update not only potential customers but also our agents and distributors about new products and technical developments. The next few months will be particularly busy building up new relationships and responding to the needs of our existing and potential clients.

One aspect of our business which came very much into prominence while talking to delegates and customers was the question of the reliability and durability of some products on the market. No matter how well a catalogue is produced and how clear the presentation, it is vital that the product being sold actually does the job and gives value for money in the long term. For Maritime Progress, this can be described as "Quality", and this word not only describes the reliability of our products but also the service which the company provides to its customers before, during and after delivery.

Reacting to customer needs

According to Andy Goldsmith, "Listening to the requirements of customers and potential customers and then acting promptly is vital for us and is a quality issue. We take our responsibilities seriously to engender trust and we value their comments. In addition to service, product quality is also vital in the marine environment. Adhesive signs, for example, need to be permanent and to stay in position regardless of conditions in their designated environment. Signs which won't stay in position soon have to be replaced and are uneconomical. To many of our customers, our retentive luminescent low level lighting and instructional signs have a startling capability, surpassing expectations in many cases. Products which do not even approach these standards might not be adequate for the job".

Following on from Sea Asia, although already active in the USA, South America and the Middle East, Maritime Progress will look more closely at these particular markets and endeavour to attain an even closer liaison with agents and distributors. We shall be discussing their needs and focussing on their suggestions and requirements. It will be interesting, later in the year, to look back at Sea Asia when we have had time to assess further the results of what we feel was a busy and worthwhile visit to Singapore.

Singapore city and container terminal viewed from the cable car that attaches Sentosa Island to the main island of Singapore.