Thu, 22 May 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
Firmhelm, a boat building and maintenance firm, has acquired a marine electronics specialist that is based at the same harbour on North Wales’ Llyn Peninsula. Rowlands Marine Electronics Ltd operates from premises at Pwllheli Marine Centre, based at Pwllheli harbour, a few doors down from Firmhelm.
Established in the 1970s and led by owners Simon and Jane Butterworth, Firmhelm provides a wide range of boat building and maintenance services, including refurbishment, repairs, mast and rigging, hoist and crane and boat storage.
Rowlands Marine Electronics, which was founded in the 1980s, specialises in the sale, installation and servicing of marine electrical equipment, including marine navigation systems. The company works with brands including Garmin, Furuno, Raymarine, ICOM, B&G and Simrad.
Simon and Jane Butterworth said that Rowlands was "a business we've worked closely with for many years, helping to service the requirements of the region’s boat owners, sailors and fishing businesses.”
They continued: "For us, this acquisition made perfect sense, particularly as it helps us gain greater ownership in respect of the building here at the Marine Centre and what we might want to do with it in future to support of our business growth plans."
Ian Loffhagen, exiting shareholder of Rowlands, added that the deal was “great news” for the firm’s customers, as it enables the business to continue from the same location and under the ownership of a local team.
Firmhelm was advised on the transaction by the corporate finance team at accountancy and advisory firm MHA, led by corporate finance manager Sam Singleton, with support from tax director Michelle Taylor.
Sam Singleton said that the deal not only enabled the Butterworth’s “to integrate a successful complementary business”, but also to “indirectly increase their shareholding in Pwllheli Marine Centre Limited”, providing them with greater security regarding the long-term location of their operations.
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