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Displaying items by tag: Patrick Hurst

#BUSINESS - Water systems firm Whale has featured in The Sunday Times' Best Small Companies to Work For list for the third year running.

The 2012 edition of the list sees the Bangor-based company - and the only Northern Irish representative - rise 19 places to number 77.

Whale was particularly commended for looking after the wellbeing of its staff, its overall ranking of eighth place reflecting the faith in managing director Patrick Hurst and the employees trust in the “sound capabilities” of the leadership.

Patrick Hurst commented: “To be listed again in 2012 is just fantastic for all the team at Whale. Our employees and their attitude and loyalty is what defines the business and is core to its continued commercial success.

"The Whale team in the are a credit to the company and themselves. They have all worked hard together to continually maintain the quality and introduce innovative, market leading products."

Whale (Munster Simms Engineering Limited) is a key player in the leisure marine, recreational vehicle, shower drainage and industrial markets. The company specialises in the design and manufacture of water, waste and heating products including manual and electric freshwater, bilge and waste pumps, Quick Connect plumbing systems, faucets, showers, space and water heaters, and accessories.

Published in News Update
A Bangor-based engineering firm has won a deal to supply pump systems to French boatbuilder BJ Technologie.
The Belfast Telegraph reports that Munster Simms, which also trades as Whale Pumps, will supply bilge and shower waste pumps to the international sail boat manufacturer in what it describes as one of its biggest ever deals.
Managing director Patrick Hurst told the Telegraph that the deal was a "tremendous achievement" giving his business a solid base for the future.
The company, which is soon to move to new premises in Balloo, has been developing plumbing systems for the leisure industry more than 60 years and employs 148 people. Last year it announced a £3 million (€3.5 million) investment in research and development to increase sales beyond Northern Ireland.

A Bangor-based engineering firm has won a deal to supply pump systems to French boatbuilder BJ Technologie.

The Belfast Telegraph reports that Munster Simms, which also trades as Whale Pumps, will supply bilge and shower waste pumps to the international sail boat manufacturer in what it describes as one of its biggest ever deals.

Managing director Patrick Hurst told the Telegraph that the deal was a "tremendous achievement" giving his business a solid base for the future.

The company, which is soon to move to new premises in Balloo, has been developing plumbing systems for the leisure industry more than 60 years and employs 148 people. Last year it announced a £3 million (€3.5 million) investment in research and development to increase sales beyond Northern Ireland.

Published in News Update

Waszp sailing

The Waszp project was conceived in 2010 by Andrew McDougall, designer of the world-beating Mach 2 foiling Moth. 

The Waszp was created as a strict one-design foiler, where, as the class says “the true test when raced is between crews and not boats and equipment”.

The objective of the class rules is to ensure that this concept is maintained. Keeping possible modifications to a minimum ensures fair racing across the fleet, helps to reduce the overall cost to the sailor and reduces the amount of time in the workshop. 

The popularity of the WASZP has proven that the boat and the concept work. In October 2021, 1237 boats had been sold to over 45 countries. 

The top speed recorded on the foiling dinghy is 26.7 knots. 

60-95kgs+ is a weight range competitive across varied conditions with rigs knowns as ‘8.2’ and ‘6.9’.

The cost of a Moth dinghy in Europe is €14,400 inc VAT + shipping according to the manufacturers in October 2021.