• Defence

JF acquires Cowan Manufacturing

James Fisher has expanded its Australian presence with the acquisition of Cowan Manufacturing, a specialist diving and recompression company.

The move is a significant step in expanding the group’s presence in the region. Together with JFD, the acquisition further enhances the group’s capability within the defence and commercial diving sectors as well as broadening the group's offering to the Australian navy.

Cowan Manufacturing is recognised worldwide for the design and manufacture of lifesaving recompression and hyperbaric chambers and its advanced manufacturing base will complement JFD’s existing high-tech facilities there.

Toff Idrus, general manager of JFD Australia says:

‘This move means JFD in Australia will extend its existing RAN (Royal Australian Navy) hyperbaric repairer accreditation, and that will include the manufacture of high-tech steel and aluminium equipment such as the submarine rescue vehicles which are so important to our business.

We have long been considered the world’s ‘triple-0 number’ emergency response for distressed submarines and now, with Cowan Manufacturing, we can further enhance this capability with the world’s best recompression and life support systems for divers and submarine crews in need of emergency support anywhere in the world.’

Craig White, general manager of Cowan Manufacturing adds:

‘The acquisition is a very positive step forward and one which enhances our reach within the Australian and Asian defense sector, expanding our opportunities to tender large and diverse projects.

For the last 30 years we have been the preferred supplier for recompression chambers for the Royal Australian and US Navy as well as supplying vessels to various other countries such as Royal Thai Navy and Saudi Defense Forces, but the acquisition opens the Cowan brand under JFD to the worldwide market.’