By
Elly Yates-Roberts |
Many businesses have been hit hard by the challenges of the past two years, including those operating in the cruise industry. Despite this, UK-based marine interior outfitting firm Trimline has managed to not only survive, but is thriving and expanding into new avenues.
One such development is the Trimline App (TAPP), an in-house business management software that the firm developed during the Covid-19 pandemic to use across all its operations, from generating quotes through to gaining final sign-off on projects.
“When Nick Farrell and I acquired the business in early 2021, we worked closely with our team to look at ways that we could improve our offering to clients,” says Ross Welham, co-owner of Trimline. “TAPP has improved efficiency throughout the business and also offers clients complete transparency of their refits.”
Trimline employees and on-site tradespeople use the software to work through their daily schedule and record activities, as well as to manage timekeeping and health and safety commitments. “TAPP now runs our entire business and is used to manage all our projects, including those with Seabourn, Holland America Line, TUI Cruises, Marella Cruises and DFDS,” says Welham.
As Trimline goes from strength to strength, the TAPP software will be constantly developed to add new features and capabilities that further improve efficiency and client offerings.
With productivity at an all-time high, the business is getting ready to open its new head office in the UK. “Our staff are the foundation of our business and ever since Nick and I bought Trimline, we have been looking for premises that offer staff a better working environment,” says Welham. “The new, bespoke site will house all our UK facilities, which will help us to further improve accuracy and efficiency.”
And there is more on the horizon for the interior outfitter, which has plans to set up a European office. “A large proportion of Trimline’s resource, logistics and purchasing comes from the region, so it is the next logical step in our expansion plans for us to have a base there,” he adds.
With over 57 years in the industry, the firm’s success is indisputable and the latest developments continue to secure its role as a market-leading ship interior outfitter. The secret to these achievements? Its employees, says Welham. “Ultimately, our extraordinary team is what makes Trimline successful,” he explains. “Their experience and enthusiasm for the business has helped us push Trimline through this difficult phase.
“At the same time, everyone has helped to develop our award-winning TAPP, which now runs our business. This powerful tool, alongside our talented team, is helping us to win nearly all of the work that we bid on, and that makes me incredibly proud.”
This article was first published in the 2022 issue of Cruise & Ferry Interiors. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
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