Exhibition Report: Wescom Group’s new Product focus at METSTRADE 2023

28/11/2023

METSRADE is an annual marine business-to-business exhibition in Amsterdam, which boasts over 18,000 visitors and has become a staple of the marine calendar for introducing new products and meeting customers. METS 2023 is something of a milestone as the first official showcasing of Wescom Group’s new range of marine safety products, including distress beacons, emergency rations and medical supplies. The extended survival solutions range is the result of a combination of recent acquisitions, and internal investment in expanding our European production facilities, to create world-leading safety products that will continue to reinforce Wescom Group’s reputation in quality.

The new capabilities allow Wescom Group’s extensive global distribution network the economic benefits of a single source partner that offers trusted large-volume manufacturing, with logistical expertise in handling time-sensitive and highly regulated products, combined with access to a new range from globally recognised brands that extends Wescom Group’s reach in marine bridge and life-raft survival solutions.

Wescom Group CEO Ross Wilkinson states, “The new range being showcased at METS exhibition is the culmination of Wescom Groups’ organic and acquisition growth strategy, combined with our vision to offer greater value to our global partners and expand on our reputation for excellence in Survival Solutions. We are delighted to have this opportunity to share our plans with our partners.”

Stand Overview

The new Wescom Group stand design at METSTRADE featured a fusion of tradition and innovation, showcasing not only established brands like Pains Wessex and Comet Marine but also newer additions to the Wescom Group family – sMRT and ANP Pharma. Seán McCrystal, the Marketing Director highlighted

“The new stand design provides a platform to highlight our latest brands and new products, while continuing to focus on the unique capabilities of our pyrotechnic distress signalling heritage. METS offers a unique opportunity to spend time with partners, customers and the press and we hope the new look stand allowed us to clearly present our combined survival solutions vision.”

New Capabilities Showcase

The stand prominently featured Wescom Group’s latest maritime solutions, including extending the Comet and Pain Wessex brands to include our German-made emergency rations and drinking water and introduced the new ANP Pharma brand of SOLAS and Category C First Aid Kits. The combined range including our world-leading pyrotechnics, position Wescom Group as a single source supplier for time-expiring survival equipment for bridge safety, life-rafts and lifeboats. METS was also the ideal platform to highlight our extension of distress signalling into electronics, with the launch of the sMRT ALERT DSC Man overboard device and the preview of our SHIELD + and SHIELD Personal Locator Beacons. The exhibition’s highlight was the exciting news that the sMRT ALERT earned a ‘Special Mention’ at the prestigious METSTRADE DAME Design Awards. This recognition underscores the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the maritime industry, highlighting the dedication of the entire team.

Marcus Pickering – Marine Marketing Manager stated, “METS has always been a key event to introduce the latest safety innovations and the combination of new stand design, DAME recognition and seven new products made this a stand-out event in 2023.”

New Product Introductions

• Emergency Rations: Compact, durable nutritional packs, ideal for lifeboats and liferafts.
• Emergency Drinking Water: Compact, flexible, ready-to-use convenience for global maritime needs.
• First Aid Kits: SOLAS and Category C First Aid Kits, ensuring mandated compliance, rugged packaging and comprehensive contents.
• ALERT Distress Beacon: Advanced DSC Man Overboard recovery technology compliant with Class M 2024 ECC AMRD.
• SHIELD Distress Beacon: 406 MHz technology with Return Link, providing visual alerts and seamlessly managed with the Beacon Management App.
• SHIELD+ Distress Beacon: Advanced integration of 406 MHz, AIS, and VHF DSC technologies, designed to meet the Class M 2024 ECC regulation.