A Royal Engineering visit from His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Richard Cripwell CB, CBE.

Last week saw Offshore Electronics Ltd host the Guernsey Government House at their manufacturing facility in St Peter Port. Having close connections within the States of Guernsey, the Economic Development team, consisting of a representative of the committee Deputy Steve Falla and team member Mandy Robillard joined His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Richard Cripwell and Marco Ciotti, ADC to the Lieutenant-Governor to meet the team behind its success and learn more about one of Guernsey's largest manufacturers.

Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell CB, CBE was installed as the new Lieutenant-Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey at a ceremony in St James on the morning of 15th February 2022. Since taking up this role, the team at Government House have embarked on many visits around the island to learn more about the range and variety of innovative businesses operating within the Bailiwick.

As one of the largest employers and exporters of product in Guernsey, it is key for the Government to understand how they operate and what enables Offshore to be able to deliver contract electronic manufacturing services efficiently and competitively. This will include everything from logistics and how product moves both in and out of the island, through to recruitment challenges. They can then work together to find solutions which will help benefit the economy and the wider island community.

Managing Director Steve Marshall and Materials Director Annah Jones, showed the guests around the 20,000sqft facility, explaining the difficulties they have overcome during the last 30 years of operation and showcasing the products they manufacture and what industries they service.

It was clear from the moment that Lt-Governor Cripwell stepped through the door that people were at the forefront of his agenda, spending most of his time talking to staff about their work or department and listening to their individual experience at Offshore. As the 'contract electronics people' Offshore's goal is to put in engineering knowledge into every level of their business, and having someone engage with the staff that knows the engineering field was very rewarding to see.

Whilst being fascinated that such a facility was managing to operate yet hiding in plain sight, Lt-Governor Richard's engineering background sprung into life whilst seeing some of the newly invested equipment in action. With dramatic advances in technology, equipment and processes it was noted that the investments over the last three decades were a huge part of the businesses success.

Lastly, the Lt-Governor wanted to focus on what the future looks like and what the next generation of management ambition's were. Together with Jeff De La Mare, the new board-members, and the management team it was agreed that by maintaining the relationship with the States of Guernsey, the Economic Development team and the continuation of the successful apprenticeship scheme, the potential is there to grow Offshore Electronics and manufacturing in Guernsey for many generations to come.

His Excellency Lt-Governor Richard Cripwell left the team with one final message that he looks forward to monitoring Offshore's success and seeing those ambitions come to light, and Offshore Electronics hopes to be able to welcome him back when they have done just that!