Tony's Marine Service (TMS), a Northern Ireland marine engine and boat service specialist is celebrating 25 years in business in 2015.

Located in Coleraine on the North Coast of Northern Ireland, TMS was founded in 1990 by local man Tony Hodges.

TMS offers repairs, servicing, diagnostics, winterisation, boat modification and upgrades, valets and storage to private boat owners and clients across the public and private sectors.

It has an on-site chandlery store which stocks a selection of chandlery goods, safety equipment and maintenance products.

Operating under its own Xtreme Boat Sales brand, TMS also offers a range of boats for purchase and is the sole distributor in Ireland for US-manufactured Glastron sports boats and cruisers.

Hodges, who continues to adopt very much a hands-on approach to running the business, said that 2015 was set to be a very big year for TMS.

"I am very proud that, 25 years after establishing the business, TMS continues to go from strength to strength with new customers coming onboard on a regular basis.

Hodges is planning an exapnsion in his anniversary year and aiming for expanded sales across the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and beyond with some new promotions in 2015.

"with the economic outlook now looking more positive than for many years, I believe it is the right time to move the business into a new gear with the clear aim of expanding our operations, both geographically and in scale.

Tony's Marine Service (TMS) was established by Hodges in 1990 after he'd spent several years working as a mechanic at Coleraine Boat Centre on the banks of the River Bann.

TMS moved to its present site in 1992, which now incorporates a purpose-built workshop facility capable of holding up to four boats, an engine re-build room, an office, shop, store and a staff area.

Xtreme Boat Sales, the boat sales arm of TMS, was established in 2004 and operates from the same site.

#marine – Although there has been a small but steady recovery the Irish Marine Federation (IMF) says in its latest bulletin to members, a reliable barometer of boating actiivty, the Irish boating trade is still a long way from getting back to anything that resembles a normal level of business.

'Our major dealers are relying on business generated from overseas clients, however, there has been some business done with Irish clients. Whilst consumer confidence remains low this trend will continue, says industry spokesman Steve Conlon.

The IMF's original estimate of quarter four of 2013 as marking the beginning of a consumer recovery now seems to be slipping further back.

Chandlery

Chandlery companies report a flat season with some exceptions in demand largely driven by the odd occasion of better weather or special events. The sector in common with others in the retail sector report low growth or at best flat with a halt to the downward trend of previous years.

It is expected the rise in the cost of Sterling will help counter the increase in online selling from UK based mail order companies.

Marinas

Business trends at marinas across the country vary with Dublin based marinas being the worst affected in terms of a loss of regular annual contracts.

There is an estimate of a 28% loss in annual contracts on the east coast. Cork marinas continue to have few or any vacancies with the marinas further west suffering a decline of approx 12% according to the IMF. 

In spite of the industry wide decline there has been growth in seasonal contract business for some marinas and some marinas also report strong visiting numbers.

The federation says 'It is too early to say as to whether overseas visitors are down overall this year but the Failte Ireland survey may give us an accurate national picture for the first time'. 

Boat Hire

Irish Boat Rental Association (IBRA) members reported a better than expected start to the season with a tailing off in September. Overall the business remains flat although preseason bookings were up slightly. The bad summer can be blamed for the slow up take from the domestic market, the Federation says.