Two of the biggest names in marina design and construction, Hampshire-based Walcon Marine and SF Marinas from Sweden, have signed an agency agreement enabling Walcon Marine to sell SF Marinas' products in England, Scotland and Wales.

Founded in 1984 SF Marinas specialises in the design and construction of large floating breakwaters and has agencies in thirty-two countries selling its products. Walcon Marine is taking over the agency in England, Scotland and Wales following the retirement of Roy Gaston who successfully represented SF Marinas for many years.

The SF Marinas products, particularly its floating breakwaters, will complement the Walcon product range and the company will now be able to offer an expanded mix of pontoon berthing options and breakwaters. It gives the company the ability to provide a complete design and construction service to customers in the UK whose sites are not naturally protected and who require substantial and effective floating breakwaters to protect the boats in their marinas. The two companies will jointly exhibit at both the London Walcon Marine and SF Marinas have worked jointly on a number of projects before including Malahide Marina near Dublin, the marina at Cahersiveen in the south-west of Ireland and also closer to home at Gosport Marina. SF Marinas has also installed its pontoons and breakwaters at many other major marina sites around the UK and Ireland including Mayflower Marina in Plymouth, Malahide and Dun Laoghaire in Ireland and Brixham Marina in Devon.

This new agency has natural synergies as both Walcon and SF Marinas are manufacturers of high quality pontoon equipment and there are only minor product overlaps in some areas of equipment. As a long-term arrangement it will benefit both companies and enable them to gain a greater market share in this highly competitive field.

Clive Kemp, commercial director of Walcon Marine, said: "We have known and respected SF Marinas for many years and are now delighted to be able to offer their excellent equipment as an agent for the company. It will give us greater flexibility in design and product selection and our combined strengths will be a formidable force in the industry. We look forward to a long and happy working relationship."

Lars Odhe of SF Marinas, said: "To have our products represented in the UK by Walcon Marine is a natural step as we both place great emphasis on quality, design and innovation.

"I feel sure both our companies will benefit from this new arrangement and it will enable SF Marinas products to be offered as part of an extended Walcon Marine range."