First Marine applies an analytical, total operations approach to the design of manufacturing and construction facilities that recognises the importance of developing the "soft" aspects of the organisation in order to realise the full potential of new facilities and production methods. The approach follows a series of logical and integrated steps which, when implemented, ensures that the shipyard is fully able to achieve competitive levels of throughput and performance.

A product-oriented philosophy dictates that vessels in the targeted product mix are analysed to establish the type and quantity of interim products.

Through the application of group technology principles, product families are defined and associated with stages of production. Only then is it possible to define the required equipment, process lines and assembly areas and hence to develop layout options.

First Marine are world leaders in shipyard layout design and engineering for both greenfield sites and for the expansion and development of existing yards. They are at the forefront in the development of shipbuilding technology and members of our staff have been closely involved with the design of some of the world's largest shipyards in the Far East.