southampton: growth & opportunity


us, Williams Shipping has a clear set of values and a clear approach to how business should be done. That’s why there is such great synergy between the two organisations.”


Williams added: “Having a firm of lawyers that understands our business and our culture is so important to us.”


Diversified business


Williams Shipping has four divisions: marine, logistics and cargo, marine lubricants and shipping containers.


Logistics, transport and cargo activity is centred on its site at Millbrook in Southampton, where it operates 20 trucks and 40 trailers. Tugs, barges and boats are based at the Eastern Docks. Williams also has smaller satellite bases at Pembroke Port in Wales and another in Aberdeen. Willbox was started in 1993 when a customer asked whether the company could supply a container for hire. Williams stores and delivers marine lubricants for major oil companies’ customers, as well as supplying its own customers along the Solent.


A broad range of clients is drawn from construction, civil engineering, shipping, renewable energy, oil and gas, marine and inland waterways. “We are becoming more of a national business,” noted Williams.


Annual turnover of £20 million is divided roughly evenly between the four divisions and average turnover growth is around 6%.


The company has many competitors in each of its four divisions. “But no other company does all the things we do,” Williams believes.


Although Williams has a highly loyal 100-strong workforce, recruitment isn’t easy in this sector. “Skill shortages are our biggest challenge. You have to offer people training, opportunities, respect and engagement,” said Williams. “These are areas we are working very hard on to attract and keep talented people.”


Having celebrated Paris Smith’s 200th anniversary in 2018, Taylor was happy to offer ideas to Colin Williams on how his company could celebrate its own milestone year. “Colin and I agree that the most important thing is to focus on your people and celebrate with them first. Make them feel valued. After all, we wouldn’t have a business without our staff.”


Braced for Brexit


Williams has formed a subsidiary in Dublin in preparation for Brexit. “We also have all the necessary licences


we need to run our transport operations in mainland Europe, which account for around 10% of our haulage business,” he said.


“Brexit will create short-term challenges. But our business has been incredibly resourceful for 125 years. Being resourceful is what we do every day,” he added.


Taylor observed: “What we are hearing from businesses is that they just want to know the rules of the game after Brexit, especially at ports. For example, the idea of creating freeports could have a significant positive impact on Southampton and the region.”


Buoyant future


Williams says the company relies primarily on organic growth. “The port of Southampton is expanding and we can feed off that. The cruise liner business is growing, with new types of vessels fuelled by gas, so we see lots of opportunities here. Another newer area for us is the energy sector – we transport wind turbine blades from a manufacturing site on the Isle of Wight.”


The UK’s creaking Victorian infrastructure presents a massive backlog of maintenance work that Williams supports. Three of its barges carrying cranes are currently being used by a construction company on the river Thames for building a new sewerage system.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019


“There will continue to be a lot of government investment in the coming decades on marine and sea defences to cope with rising sea levels and coastal erosion,” said Williams. “When we assess new opportunities we are not looking at what the market is doing now, or next year, but what it will look like in 10 and 20 years’ time.”


The sixth generation of the Williams family is already showing an interest in the business. “Eric and I are just looking after the company – we are the custodians for future generations,” said Williams.


Having a 125-year pedigree adds a goodwill element to the business that is hard to measure. “Goodwill doesn’t appear on the balance sheet but creates lots of value. We get a great deal of support from everyone who deals with us. People trust the company and our good name. That’s important to us,” said Williams.


parissmith.co.uk


businessmag.co.uk


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