An expanding engineering company which supplies unique marine railings for clients across the globe has expressed delight after receiving a £15,000 grant.

Timeless Tube will use the money from the BCP Bounce Back Challenge Fund to develop pioneering new tube products for marine applications and to expand its existing range.

The Poole-based company was founded 34 years ago by Malcolm Cole who designed the world’s first-ever oval tubing.

Initially used for yachts, orders soon started coming in from architects as well as marine clients.

Timeless Tube was acquired by Tom McMillan, Managing Director, in 2016 and employs six people but is in the process of expanding.

It is currently recruiting additional metal fabricators, welders and polishers to meet the increase in demand from marine work.

The business has teamed up with fellow Poole business and hinge experts PE Marine Designz to make bespoke stainless steel concealed gates and shrouding.

Timeless Tube says it is revolutionising marine design but is keen to let Dorset boat owners know that it offers railings for refits and refurbishments.

Apart from working on larger orders for new boats, the company has the capacity to provide railings for existing craft with the renovation market a key part of the marine sector.

Tom said: “We’re part of a pioneering collection of smaller local businesses delivering exciting design alongside the work of marine giants such as Sunseeker.

“High-end innovations that are used on yachts and motorboats across the globe.

“We’ve recently experienced a huge boost in demand for our marine railings – whether we’re making replacement rails for a tender boat in Christchurch or sophisticated gates for a superyacht in Monaco.

“There has been a notable increase in trade from the small leisure boat industry.

“We’re expanding our inhouse fabrication team to meet this demand.”

Commenting on the £15,000 grant from the BCP Bounce Back Challenge Fund, Tom added: “We’re delighted to receive this support from the council.

“It recognises the importance of our work and the vital local supply chain that we are part of.”

Cllr Philip Broadhead, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy at BCP Council, said: “Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have some of the best talent in the marine industry in the world, and it’s time we started shouting about it.

“That’s why I’m delighted that we were able to award a grant to Timeless Tube as part of our Bounce Back Challenge Fund.

“Supporting growing businesses such as this, in one of our vital local industries, is paramount to seeing that potential realised.”

“We’ve got a world class natural environment and a burgeoning economy to match, and we’re doing everything we can to unlock the potential of our coastline of opportunity.

“Supporting growing businesses such as this, in one of our vital local industries, is paramount to seeing that potential realised.”

A spokesperson from British Marine, the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry, described the quality and innovation of marine engineering coming from the south coast as “second to none”.

Pointing out the industry is worth £3.97bn per year to the UK economy, Ross Wombwell, Head of Technical Services, pictured left, said Dorset had a vital marine cluster, “with over 40 miles of coastline, two ports, three harbours and a wealth of brilliant boat designers and manufacturers”.

In 2019 £1 billion was generated in the UK from new and used boat exports alone, with more than 10,000 new boats produced for domestic and international markets.