HALYARD Group, which manufactures marine silencing systems at Whaddon, has acquired Cerambond, a specialist manufacturer of exhaust hose and silicon exhaust products.

Halyard has, as a result, become the first company in the world to manufacture entire marine exhaust systems in-house.

The group, which has sites in Salisbury, Portsmouth and Wimborne, specialises in systems to reduce noise and vibration on pleasure boats, commercial craft and super yachts.

It already manufactures silencers and stainless steel exhaust injection elbows, and the addition of exhaust hose manufacture through the purchase of Cerambond is a logical extension to its activities.

More than 30 per cent of Halyard's production is exported to the European Community and Far East.

Cerambond is in Portsmouth, close to one of Halyard's sites, and all its employees will continue with the firm, including divisional manager George Bruce, who brings with him more than 35 years of hose building experience.

Following the takeover, Halyard Group will employ 80 people and turnover will exceed £4m per annum.

Halyard Group managing director James Grazebrook said: "We now manufacture every single component in the exhaust systems we supply.

"This enables us to offer a total bespoke service for marine engines up to 2,000hp worldwide, while continuing to hold the largest stock of marine exhaust system components anywhere in Europe."

Mr Grazebrook has been elected president of the British Marine Federation, representing the interests of about 1,500 members and 21,600 staff in addition to Halyard's 60 employees in Whaddon, Portsmouth and Bournemouth.

With activities ranging from boat builders to charter companies, naval architects to lock keepers, Mr Grazebrook will be working closely with the 50 staff employed by the British Marine Federation at its headquarters in Surrey during his two years in the role.

"The BMF has a dedicated team which works incredibly hard to support all aspects of the British marine industry," he said.

"Its members have a turnover of £1.7 billion per annum and about 40 per cent of that is sold abroad, making us one of Britain's strongest sectors for export."

Mr Grazebrook will be involved in the development of training schemes and the relocation of the London International Boat Show from Earls Court to ExCel in Docklands.