Tuam-Based JFC Marine will today unveil to the marine world its innovative range of seaborne navigation buoys.
The range will be unveiled to the marine and fisheries communities at the ‘Innovating the future of Marine Navigation Safety’ conference being held in Galway today and tomorrow October 15-16.
The event will be hosted by Tuam based company JFC Marine who will also mark the official launch of their new navigation buoy range on the international market. The aim of the conference is to bring those working in marine together, from port authorities to those involved in aquaculture in particular those responsible for the safety of marine navigation and to discuss future advances that are needed to increase navigation safety and to highlight the value of adopting new technologies. This event is being organised in conjunction with international experts, Carmanah Sabik along with Commissioners of Irish Lights, Smart Bay Ireland Ltd. and Geo-Mara. This conference is free of charge to the public however registration is necessary in advance.
JFC Manufacturing was founded by John Concannon in Tuam, Co. Galway; JFC Marine is headed up by his son Colin Concannon who has been involved in the business for over a decade. With a turnover of €50million and plants in Ireland, UK and Poland, JFC is one of the west of Ireland success stories.
Ireland is one of the most open economies in the world with approximately 95 per cent of Irish imports and exports carried on ships. Each year, over 30m tonnes of goods, almost 4m passengers and more than 1m containers pass through Irish ports. These are the vital arteries of the Irish economy. Aids to navigation are a critical element in the transport chain, helping to ensure the safety of life, property, business and the environment. Measures that keep the sea routes open, safe and running smoothly are essential both for the economy and safety.
The aim of the conference is to bring stakeholders in this sector together and to discuss potential new innovations in navigation aids to safety, with the adaptation of technology and analysis of real time data. Attendees will hear from both Irish and International experts in this arena. Mark Devlin, representing the Commissioners of Irish Lights - the national organisation responsible for maritime safety service around the coast of Ireland; John Breslin, General Manager of SmartBay Ireland who manage the National marine test and demonstration facility for the development of innovative products and services for the global maritime sector. Eoghan Kieran and his Irish company Geomara, who conduct subsea surveys and provides expert advice and services to clients in marine sectors including oil and gas, renewable energy, submarine communications, government as well as research and academia.
Participants will also be updated by international experts Carmanah Sabik who lead the way in supplying self-contained solar powered LED marine lights and specialists in long range beacons typically in service with Lighthouse Authorities.
JFC are the first company to manufacture these type of marine aids to navigation in Ireland using plastic rotational moulding. Through a process of research and development they have developed a full range of navigation buoys and are marketing them internationally, establishing this new side of their business and growing their overall business. This conference will attract potential buyers including harbour masters and marine specialists from all around the UK and Ireland.
JFC Manufacturing, with their plant in Tuam, Co. Galway is well-known in the agriculture sector for the last three decades and are diversifying into the marine sector. The JFC Marine portfolio includes an extensive range of Aids to Navigation, Navigation Buoys and Solar Marine Lanterns as well as Monitoring and Control Systems to suit all marine applications. Having successfully trialled and tested the JFC Marine range, these are now in use by mariners, coast guards, major port authorities throughout Europe. For more information please view: www.jfcmarine.com
