Britain’s largest independent ship repairer has bought a rival marine engineering company in a deal set to create the first national network of ship repair businesses.

Burgess Marine, based in Dover, has expanded after taking over Small & Co Marine Engineering in Lowestoft, which employs about 50 full time staff.

The deal, described as more of a merger in reality, is the first acquisition since private equity group RJD Partners invested in Burgess Marine in January.

Small & Co was described by its new owners as a “major marine engineering force in the ship repair industry”, with customers in the North Sea, East Anglia, the Thames Estuary and the East Coast.

Burgess Marine managing director Nicholas Warren said: “We’ve been working on this transaction for many, many months and it’s great to finally get it across the line.

“We’re prepared to make a long-term investment in this business and in this port.

“We’re looking for a long-term lease from ABP and we’re looking forward to securing the longevity of the yard, the business and the team that’s employed here.

“Whilst on paper this is an acquisition it is in all reality a merger.

“Moreover this is a major strategic step in creating the UK’s first national ship repair network.”

"This is a major strategic step in creating the UK’s first national ship repair network...” - Nicholas Warren, Burgess Marine

The deal, understood to be worth a seven-figure sum, means Burgess Marine, which has its head office in Channel View Road, now has nine sites in the UK.

It covers HM Naval Base Devonport, Avonmouth, Poole, Marchwood, Southampton, Portchester, HM Naval Base Portsmouth, Dover and Lowestoft.

Small & Co joint managing directors Paul Kirby and Paul Harper will stay in the business.

Kr Kirby added: “By merging with Burgess Marine we’re not only protecting the business that we’ve work tirelessly to create but we’ve also gone a long way in securing the jobs and the future prosperity of the team that we’ve built up.

“This merger is good for both the business and the town.”