Herculean taken over
Shetland marine and industrial electrical engineering firm DH Marine has taken over the Lerwick shop Herculean which supplies trailers and cleaning, caravanning and fishing equipment. The change took effect last week.
Former owners Brenda and Gordon Laurenson, who established Herculean 20 years ago, are continuing to operate the shop at Gremista but as employees of DH Marine. Speaking from a trade show in Edinburgh on Tuesday, Mr Laurenson said it was going to be an exciting future being part of a new operation.
One of the immediate attractions is the novelty of holidays, the pair having been previously confined to a few days off at Christmas and New Year. “We’re going to have a bit more freedom and more help in the shop as well,” he said. It also means relief from the pressures of being self-employed. Mrs Laurenson said: “It’s hopefully going to make our lives a bit easier. After 20 years you lose enthusiasm and this gives you a fresh start again.”
Mrs Laurenson said she had been affected by the expansion of Tesco in Shetland due to its decision to sell goods like tents, airbeds and sleeping bags at what she called “knock-down prices”. She did not blame the retail giant for hastening their decision to sell up but said it had meant cutting back on the stock she sold and being wary of what she ordered.
The Laurensons once employed five people to help them out when the company was involved in more industrial work, such as servicing pumps for the council and the water authority.
DH Marine started 10 years ago and provides specialist electrical and engineering services to industry and businesses, including the fishing fleet.
