| |
|
|
31/3/2010
AUSMARINE
Mike Brown
|
|
 |
|
the article
|
Lex Baddiley Marine Engineering (LexMarine), celebrating 100 years of the Baddiley name in the marine industry, has a history that shares much with that other Brisbane centenarian, Norman R. Wright and Sons (NRW).
Both are indelibly associated with Bulimba, Norman Wright learning the shipwright trade in the yard of the same man, John Hawkins Whearat, who built Alex Baddiley's first workshop. For many years LexMarine has been responsible for the engineering fit-out of the vessels built by NRW; in recent years the two companies have even shared premises. The founders of both companies were keen sailors, although Alex Baddiley left racing to Norman Wright and concentrated on family leisure sailing on Moreton Bay in his boat 'Helen' which he kept in commission until she was well into the antique class.
Alex Baddiley the founder of the dynasty, and great-grandfather of the current owners David and Paul, was born in Beaulieu, England, just a few kilometres from where a large percentage of the ships of Nelson's navy were built, although there is no record of whether the family's marine heritage goes back that far. As a child, he came to Queensland with his parents and settled in Ipswich, where he married Mabel.
In 1909 he set up business as a marine engineer, a brave venture for a 20 year-old. His three sons, Malcolm, Kenneth and Colin, followed him into the business, and were followed in turn by their three sons Bruce, Clive and Lex.
In 2001, Lex, with sons David and Paul (who now run the business), shifted to premises in the yard of NRW. In 2005 they expanded to an additional workshop in the new Rivergate Marina Shipyard in Murarrie. These new premises, among businesses offering the gamut of other marine services, are very well geared to deliver LexMarine's comprehensive range of marine engineering products, fit-outs, services and repairs. The workshop is located in the heart of the hardstand maintenance area, and a 15-metre marina berth directly in front of the workshop allows vessels to be serviced afloat. A LexMarine speciality is engine line-ups, stern gear repairs and vibration troubleshooting, and the service marina berth so close to the full workshop facilities allows delivery of outstanding service in this area.
For larger vessels, Rivergate has marina maintenance berths up to 60 metres, and travel lifts with 300 and 75-tonne ratings.
Since moving into the Rivergate site, LexMarine has re-equipped with new machinery incorporating the highest technology. This puts the company among the most technically advanced in the marine industry. The propeller tuning equipment, for instance, is astounding in its capabilities, and will be put to work servicing propellers on site and Australia-wide. Computerised propeller sizing, prop re-pitching and balancing, and Propspeed application are all services that LexMarine is renowned for.
Other services include: . New vessel fit-out
. Hydraulics
. Exhausts
. Pumping equipment
. Shafts
. Rudder gear
. Bearings
The list of recent new fit-outs is distinguished, and includes the latest generation of Brisbane River City Cats and the 30-metre 'Lionheart'. Refits include the classic sailing yacht 'Hurrica', nearing the end of her four-year refit, and the NRW-built Brisbane pilot boats. Lexmarine has recently acquired an NRW-built ex-Queensland Water Police vessel 'Sandy Cape' which is available for charter. As well as the commercial work, an endless stream of cruising cats and keelboats takes advantage of Lexmarine's abilities.
In an era of texting and brief emails, for a company to receive testimonials from customers that are printed and sent through the postal system argues for a very high standard of customer service; LexMarine has a drawer full of them.
The proven quality of the staff training gives a clue to the standards that apply here. In 2008 Jess Turner, a Lex Baddiley Marine Engineering apprentice, won an award that was not just within the industry, and was not even a state award. Jess won the Australian Vocational Student Prize, presented to him by the Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
For a company to thrive through four generations, to stay abreast or in advance of industry standards all that time, and to constantly aim for excellence (and achieve it), is extremely rare. Congratulations to Lex Baddiley Marine Engineers for doing just that.
For further information contact:
Lex Baddiley Marine Engineering, Queensland. PH: (07) 3890 3366, FX: (07) 3890 5445,
Email: sales@lexmarine.com.au. Web: www.lexmarine.com.au
|
|
|
|
|
services
click to download Flash Player 