PC Maritime strikes deal with major chart agent Lilley & Gillie

In a move to provide investment for development projects and to strengthen its distribution worldwide, marine software company PC Maritime has combined forces with leading Admiralty chart agent John Lilley & Gillie Ltd. Lilley & Gillie are acquiring 50% of PC Maritime, with 50% retained by founders and owners David & Anne Edmonds.

The agreement exploits the natural synergy between the two companies. Lilley & Gillie (with sister companies Walker Marine Instruments, DPM UK and DPM Singapore) is a long-established chart agent and navigation instrument manufacturer with worldwide distribution; PC Maritime's core product, Navmaster, is a proven electronic chart system with a substantial customer base in both leisure and commercial market sectors. The combination provides a complete electronic navigation package of chart data, ECS or ECDIS software and hardware for the shipping market where Lilley & Gillie operate, and PC Maritime will continue independently in the recreational and superyacht sectors.

"Our partnership with PC Maritime considerably increases the package of bridge equipment we can supply to our customers now, and it gives us access to PC Maritime's technical expertise to develop new electronic products and services," said Graham Knight, managing director of Lilley & Gillie. "ECDIS is likely to become a mandatory fit on SOLAS vessels and probably the next major purchase for shipowners retrofitting equipment on the bridge. PC Maritime's Navmaster product range is already well-known for quality and, just as important I believe, for excellent technical support including remote diagnostic techniques. Looking further ahead, we will jointly develop technical solutions to enable us to deliver improved services to our customers."

"I am very pleased we are combining forces with Lilley & Gillie", said PC Maritime's managing director David Edmonds. "Lilley's investment in PC Maritime will finance our software and internet developments, which will benefit all our customers in commercial and leisure sectors. We have strong domestic sales for the Navmaster product line, and we can now strengthen export sales via Lilley & Gillie's distribution network as well as through other channels we are establishing. "

David Edmonds will continue as PC Maritime's managing director, Anne Edmonds as marketing director and the company will remain at its existing premises in Plymouth.


David Edmonds (left), managing director of PC Maritime, and Graham Knight (right), managing director of Lilley and Gillie

1 June 2004