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        • Home
        • About
          • SMI Team
          • What We Do
            • Business Overseas and in the UK
            • Research, Technology & Innovation
            • Improving the Business Environment
            • Networking Opportunities
            • Marketing & Other Services
          • A Brief History
            • The Award Fund
            • Donald Maxwell Student Award
            • Marine Science & Technology Business Person of the Year
            • Past Presidents and Chairs of BMEC/SMI
          • Governance
            • The Board and Honorary Officers
          • Testimonials
          • Maritime Partners
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        • Directory
        • Specialist Groups
          • Commercial Marine Group
            • CMG Council
            • CMG News
          • Digital Technology Group
            • DTG Council
            • DTG News
          • Maritime Autonomous Systems Group
            • Understanding and Valuing the MAS industry
            • Shaping the Future MAS Workforce
            • Influencing the Maritime Regulatory Framework
            • Providing value to MASG members
            • MASG Council
            • MASG News
          • Maritime Defence & Security Group
            • MDSG Council
            • MDSG News
            • AUKUS
          • Marine Science & Technology Group
            • Biennial Review of UK Marine Scientific Industries Survey
            • SMI MSTG Business Person of the Year
              • SMI Marine Science & Technology Business Person of the Year 2025 Nomination Form
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          • All Events
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          • LAUNCH PACK – CoE Digital Directory
          • CoE Playbook
          • National Shipbuilding Office
          • MarRI-UK Research Capabilities
        • Resources
          • UK Export Support
          • Document Library
            • Maritime Sector Newsletters
              • EMSA Newsletter
              • ISCO Newsletter
              • ICE Newsletter
            • Public Consultations & Reports
              • UK Consultations and Reports
              • EU Consultations and Reports
            • Society of Maritime Industries Annual Members' Directory & Reviews
          • Diversity in Maritime
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • Useful Links
          • Terms of Use
          • Maritime Autonomous Systems Regulatory Working Group (MASRWG)
          • UK Maritime Sector
            • GREAT World Class Marine Capability
            • National Shipbuilding Strategy
            • Maritime 2050
            • National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) Centres of Excellence Playbook
          • Student and Early Careers Hub
            • Maritime Career Path Map
        Newsletter Signup

        Rivertrace continues growth path with acquisition of Solar Solve

        Rivertrace continues growth path with acquisition of Solar Solve

        Rivertrace, the UK based Quality-Assured Company and market leader with over 30 years of experience developing environmental monitoring solutions for the marine market, has completed its acquisition of Solar Solve Ltd, a manufacturer and supplier of anti-glare window roller sunscreens in the marine, offshore, aviation, agriculture, and commercial sectors.

        The purchase, which was finalised in November following nine months of negotiations, represents the latest step in Rivertrace’s growth strategy. Rivertrace has grown more than 25 percent in the past five years and is now looking to consolidate the two businesses with further potential acquisitions on the horizon.

        Solar Solve will continue to operate as an independent entity with all its current staff retained. The four Rivertrace directors have been appointed to the Board of Solar Solve. The two family-owned companies, both of which were founded in the 1980s, are export oriented with distributors, OEMs and end-user customers, selling to over 65 countries across the world. The synergistic effects of the acquisition include Solar Solve being able to benefit from Rivertrace’s systems, processes, engineering experience, and infrastructure, while Rivertrace will be able to build on the legacy established by Solar Solve’s founders.

        Mike Coomber, Executive Chairman of Rivertrace said:

        “Our plan has been to grow Rivertrace organically through the introduction of new products, expansion of our distribution model and infiltration of new markets and applications. We have been looking for a smaller business to purchase for the last year and Solar Solve has offered us a great opportunity.

        “We are delighted to have secured the acquisition of Solar Solve, which has succeeded and grown due to the dedication and hard work of its owners, John Lightfoot MBE and Julie Lightfoot MBE, to join the ever-growing Rivertrace family. We will work with the key stakeholders of Solar Solve, its employees, customers, and suppliers to expand the business in line with our strategic goal.”

        Further information can be found by visiting www.rivertrace.com

        News

        Material Nature Risks Facing Maritime Industries and Support Available for Members on TNFD.png
        12 May 2026

        Material Nature Risks Facing Maritime Industries and Support Available for Members on TNFD

        The UK’s maritime engineering, marine science and technology, and business services industries will increasingly need to manage a variety of…

        7 May 2026

        Captain Ben Vickery, Royal Navy, Joins Exail for Mine Warfare Systems Development in the UK

        6 May 2026

        Secretary of State Visits Artemis Technologies as Region Accelerates Delivery of Clean Maritime Innovation

        SEE MORE NEWS

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        12 May
        12 May 2026, 09:30 – 14:00

        Navigating the UK Defence Ecosystem: Opportunities for Marine Science and Technology

        The Society of Maritime Industries' (SMI) Marine Science and Technology Group (MSTG) is running a seminar to provide a high-level overview as to how non-traditional defence suppliers including...
        01 Jun
        1 Jun 2026 – 5 Jun 2026

        POSIDONIA 2026

        Posidonia brings the whole shipping world to its exhibitors. The international shipping community attends in strength with national pavilions and thousands of visitors.
        09 Jun
        9 Jun 2026, 08:30 – 11 Jun 2026, 17:00

        Seawork 2026

        In 2026, we are once again partnering with Seawork, Europe’s largest commercial marine and workboat exhibition, to host a dedicated SMI Hub within the exhibition.
        01 Sep
        1 Sep 2026 – 4 Sep 2026

        SMM 2026 (Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology trade fair)

        When it comes to meeting up with all the leading protagonists of the global maritime industry, there’s no place like SMM, one of the leading international maritime trade fairs. 
        13 Apr
        13 Apr 2027, 09:00 – 15 Apr 2027, 17:00

        Sea Asia 2027

        SMI will once again organise the UK Group Pavilion at Sea Asia in its role as the official Country Pavilion organiser. The event will return, bigger and bolder on 16-18th March 2027. To register...
        07 Jun
        7 Jun 2027, 09:00 – 11 Jun 2027, 10:00

        NorShipping 2027

        SMI will once again organise the UK Group Pavilion at Nor-Shipping. The event will return, bigger and bolder in 2027. 
        19 Oct
        19 Oct 2027 – 22 Oct 2027

        Kormarine 2027

        Join SMI in the UK Pavilion at Kormarine a leading international marine exhibition held biennially in Busan, South Korea. Kormarine highlights cutting-edge advancements in shipbuilding, maritime...
        SEE MORE Events

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        Marine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge)

        This exciting biennial challenge is open to teams of students studying at UK universities.

        Learn more
        The Society of Maritime Industries (SMI)

        Society of Maritime Industries Limited 28 - 29 Threadneedle Street, London,
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        UK Reg. No: 00883132

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        E: info(at)maritimeindustries.org

         

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