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Vumsee Polisetti

Dr. Sweigart

Engineering Applications

8 April 2019

Hovercraft: Industry Case Study

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Griffon Hoverworks is a hovercraft manufacturer who has been in the business for over

50 years. Their hovercrafts are used for a multitude of purposes including; passenger ferries,

mobile medical clinics, and cargo carrying. The company has recently relocated to Merlin Way,

Southampton UK.

Dr. E.W.H. Gifford founded the company in 1976 and was an early hovercraft pioneer.

The company was founded because Dr. Gifford had a unique library of knowledge that could be

applied to corporate principles. There was a merger between Bland Groups and Griffon

Hoverworks in 2008 which lead to the creation of Griffon Hoverwork Limited.

Their market has generally been made up of professional government buyers and the

purchasing of these products for personal use is extremely limited due to the price and

complexity of the crafts. They have little practical use outside extreme circumstances which the

government could use for relief and aid. Griffon Hovercrafts also have a diverse range of

function, making them perfect for military use. Fast - Attack/Amphibious attacks are attractive

benefits of purchasing hovercrafts as well as easier border control. Hovercrafts thrive where it is

generally difficult or impossible for boats to venture and maneuver in. These hovercrafts also

have the ability to carry and transport other military vehicles across areas such as beaches

whether there is a tide or not. The Griffon Hovercrafts can carry up to 22.5 tons of weight.

Product performance is tested through the design process, allowing them to give their

customer a large amount of power in the customization of the hovercraft. Another factor in their

success as a company has been their ability to focus and invest in lean manufacturing and

excellent customer service, allowing them to gain more customers and retain them

simultaneously. Consulting is a key aspect to their business which is also another PR booster as
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well as leaving clients feeling satisfied with their purchase. Clients will approach Griffon

Hovercrafts to look over plans for docks/bases and to conduct feasibility studies for a hovercraft.

This gives the company topical authority over hovercrafts and gives them a larger market share.

One major hurdle that the company had to get over was convincing people that

hovercrafts had major applications in emergency situations. In their early days, hovercrafts were

not seen as efficient or very mobile. They were bulky and noisy. Once their designs started to get

more minimalistic and increasingly efficient, potential clients were able to see the benefits it

would have in normally inaccessible situations. Now these hovercrafts are being used more and

more for military applications. In 2000/2014, India entered these crafts into its services. In 2008,

Avon and Fire Rescue Service also adopted the use of these hovercrafts.

The company has around 114 employees and a yearly revenue of $19.6 Million Dollars in

yearly revenue. Competition for this company is rather high in its area as there are 21 main

hovercraft companies in the world, 10 being situated in the UK.

Griffon Hoverworks is unique in that it has stood the test of time. For over 50 years, it

has constantly improved, adapted, and crafted hovercrafts to be even better every single time. It

has identified mistakes that could cost lives on the field. Their delivery schedule is impeccably

on time because of their use of lean manufacturing methods which allows them to provide an

overall better consumer experience.

They also provide pilot training along with the hovercraft. There is an experienced team

of training personnel who give their clients a wide range of training to ensure maximum usage of

their craft. Some forms of training include; pilot crew training, hovercraft military tactic training,
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and engineering training. With all of these, Griffon Hoverworks has proved itself to be a viable

hovercraft company.