Darthaven Marina Limited has acquired Marine Engineering (Looe) Limited (MEL).
Darthaven Marina, located in the South Hams, UK, has more 270 berths and a marine services team on site that maintains and repairs leisure and commercial craft up to 120ft in length.
Marine engineering business MEL was founded in Looe, Cornwall, by father and son team Henry and Ken Newton in 1951. The pair were joined in 1961 by Ken’s son Robert who was key in helping to develop the business to become the ‘go to’ supplier for Volvo Penta engines.
The business continued to expand and relocated to larger premises at Queen Anne’s Battery Marina in Plymouth, in order to be centrally located to the South West marine world.
And in 2005, Robert’s son Jamie became the fourth generation of the family to join the business.
“MEL has been serving commercial and leisure customers for over 70 years,” said John Holman, CEO of Darthaven Marina. “We are also proud to serve many customers across Devon and Cornwall and beyond.
“This acquisition places Darthaven Services in a strategic position to strengthen and expand its Volvo Penta distributing dealership and to grow our highly regarded marine engineering service team.”
Jamie Newton, MD of MEL, who is retiring from the marine engineering business to concentrate on his other commitments, approached Darthaven Marina last summer, believing the acquisition would be the right fit for the family business.
“I am confident the team at Darthaven Services will continue to provide service excellence for our customers and security for my loyal workforce who will be integrated into the Darthaven Services team,” he said.
Darthaven Marina Limited’s new operation on Queen Anne’s Battery Marina in Plymouth will trade as Darthaven Services Plymouth.
Darthaven Services Plymouth will stock, distribute and provide technical support for Volvo Penta parts and engines and offer marine engineering services to boat owners and marine customers in the Plymouth area and beyond.
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