ScotSeat Latest News

KPM Marine Awarded Prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise

Wed, 07 May 2025 08:30:58 GMT

KPM Marine has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation.

KPM Marine is one of just 197 organisations across the UK to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise - a national mark of outstanding achievement. Announced today (Tuesday, 6 May), the Birmingham-based manufacturer has been recognised for its exceptional success in international trade, exporting specialist solutions to commercial, defence, and rescue clients worldwide.

KPM Marine, a leader in marine safety solutions, was honoured with a Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2022 for designing and manufacturing marine safety seats that reduce vibration, helping prevent accelerated CTE dementia. In 2025, KPM Marine received a second King’s Award for its Predator safety pump range, which is widely used in naval, rescue, and commercial sectors for its exceptional reliability and performance.

96% of KPM’s product components are manufactured in the West Midlands, with additional production by sister company Scotseat KPM Marine in Fenwick, Scotland.

Joint Managing Directors Julian Morgan and Jonathan Young said, “KPM Marine and Scotseat KPM Marine are dedicated to UK manufacturing and safety at sea, and we are delighted to be recognised for a second time with such a prestigious award ”

The group employs 64 people between the Birmingham and Scottish sites. Our combined expertise allows us to deliver highly specialised solutions for some of the world’s most demanding environments.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed in 2023 to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 59th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

Applications for the 2026 King’s Awards for Enterprise open on 6th May 2025.

For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise

ISO Certification

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 12:52:41 GMT

Scot Seat Group have just passed our 'BS EN IS O 9001:2015' inspection with no non-conformance.

Since 2007 we have passed each inspection with no non-conformances, which is a fantastic achievement.

We want to take this time to thank our fantastic team. They continuously strive for the best, and their continuous hard work makes this possible.

Maintaining our standards

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 14:25:35 GMT

Congratulations to our fabulous team of welders

Who recently earned their British Standard Welding Certificates. This was carried out with TWI Welder Training Centre and Kilmarnock College.

Some of our experienced welders were recertified to ensure they are on top of their game. Our apprentices, who are now fully qualified through our in-house training scheme, also received certification.

Keep up the great work, everyone!

New Naval Training Boats Fitted With Scot Seat KPM Marine Products

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 10:15:34 GMT

New Naval Training Boats Fitted With Scot Seat KPM Marine Products

KPMThe Royal Navy has begun operational sailings of its newest fleet of eight officer training boats (OTB) at the Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth.

The craft were built by Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK), a German defence firm Atlas Elektronik subsidiary, to replace the BRNC's eight picket boats that had been in service since the 1960s.

The OTBs are fitted with Scot Seat KPM Marine's DNV approved lightweight suspension seats. These fully crash tested seats offer significant weight savings over traditional steel suspension seats and are designed to minimise shock and reduce operator fatigue.

Scot Seat KPM Marine also supplied lightweight modular interior furniture, emergency pumps and air systems for each boat.

KPM-Marine wins a Queen's Award for Enterprise

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 08:30:03 GMT

KPM-Marine has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise - Innovation 2022.

KPM-Marine is one of 225 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Announced today (Thursday 21 April), KPM-Marine has been recognised for its excellence in innovation.

Employing 14 people, KPM-Marine was set up in 1995. Based in Birmingham, the company specialises in the design and manufacture of safety critical products for the marine industry. The KPM-Marine range of products includes seating, modular vessel interiors, engine room air management systems, high performance bilge pumps and sea strainers.

The award recognises and celebrates the company’s shock mitigation seating that protects users against whole body vibration and severe impacts that can lead to lifechanging injury to the spine, as well as being the cause of early stage CTE dementia.

KPM-Marine recently merged with leading commercial seat manufacturer Scot Seat. This merger will enhance KPM-Marine’s innovation resources, as well as scale up its advanced manufacturing capabilities and expand its product offerings.

Julian Morgan, Joint Managing Director at KPM-Marine, said: “Innovation is at the heart of our business and integral to everything we do. We are delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has approved the Prime Minister’s recommendation that we should receive this award. Winning it is recognition of all the hard work we have put in to continuously develop new innovative products and drive the company forward through these unprecedented times.”

Jonathan Young, Managing Director of Scot Seat, said: “This award is thoroughly deserved and testament to the dedication and vision of the entire team at KPM-Marine.”

Now in its 56th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

Applications for Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2023 open on the 1st May 2022. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise .

Scot Seat Buys into KPM Marine

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 08:00:06 GMT

Scot Seat has merged with KPM Marine, the maker of safety-critical products for the marine industry.

The companies first met at Seawork2008, where KPM Marine picked up the Innovation Award for its Predator Bilge Pump. Scot Seat Founder Alex Young and KPM Marine Joint Managing Director and Designer Julian Morgan immediately realised there were skills and technology synergies between both firms. They agreed to combine their resources and work together to design the Scot Seat KPM Marine S2 range of shock mitigation mechanisms starting with the S2J Jockey seat, which won the Innovation Award at Seawork2009.

A close working relationship developed, which has resulted in extensive design and capability sharing over the years.

Scot Seat has acquired 50% of KPM Marine after buying out co-founder John Key on his retirement. The remaining 50% KPM Marine shareholding will be retained by Joint Managing Director and Designer Julian Morgan.

Jonathan Young, Managing Director at Scot Seat, said: “We are delighted to be combining with KPM Marine; they are the perfect fit. This merger allows us to continue scaling up our capabilities and expand our product offerings. We believe we are well-positioned to become the manufacturing partner of choice for more clients.”

Julian Morgan, Joint Managing Director at KPM Marine, said: “Scot Seat’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, plus its experienced management and staff make it an ideal partner. Together we will be able to improve our speed and scalability and capture a greater proportion of the market.”

Scot Seats utilise SKYDEX for Survivor Seats on RNLI Severn class lifeboat

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 13:32:06 GMT

Scot Seats have designed and built replacement seats for the survivor space of RNLI Severn class lifeboats.

Jonathan Young, Managing Director of Scot Seats said, ‘The objective was to improve the existing seating to enable this magnificent all-weather lifeboat to continue saving lives at sea for many years to come. Utilising SKYDEX Impact Mitigating Seat Cushion Inserts linked to Scot Seats manufacturing provided an effective solution. Both our companies are proud to support the RNLI.’

SKYDEX Seat Inserts are designed to fit in all types of marine seating. From jockey and bench seats on RIBs and open boats to wheelhouse and cabin seating. SKYDEX technology utilizes geometries and polymer structures to provide high performance cushioning and impact absorption.

Scot Seats-KPM Marine provide specialist shock mitigation seats for maritime applications that are used globally by rescue services, military operators, police forces and commercial boat operators. Scot Seats Group are dedicated to improving the comfort and safety for all transportation seating.

About the Severn Class

The Severn class is the largest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet. Since 1996, lifeboat volunteers from the wild Atlantic to the North Sea have relied on Severn class lifeboats. A programme of life-extension refits will give Severn crews a range of crucial new equipment, including many safety enhancements. The new gear will be housed in the original hull, making the vessel fit for another two decades of lifesaving.

About the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) charity saves lives at sea. RNLI volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations and around 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 143,100 lives.

Mobile barber seats are a cut above

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 14:41:45 GMT

Scot Seat remodelled Trim-IT mobile van seats

Van conversion business Bri-Stor Systems recently approached Scot Seat to create stylish and comfortable seating in a vehicle for mobile barbers, Trim-IT. This ambitious hairdressing business, which recently appeared on Channel 4 show ‘The Money Maker’, has created a booking app so that customers can book a mobile barbershop to their home, office or even the gym.

Our team remodelled the van’s original foam design to give it a more aesthetically pleasing look and changed the fabric choice to a Carbon Silvertex textured vinyl from Sprading EU. The material is antibacterial coated, which is incredibly important in the fight against Covid-19.

Not only was our work complimented by The Money Maker, AKA Eric Collins, we have also been commissioned to provide more sets of cushions for the Trim-IT fleet.

Scot Seat help create “no ordinary police van”

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 13:23:50 GMT

Scot Seat helping North Wales Police

North Wales Police have added a specially converted “welfare van” to its fleet which will help support officers while they are out dealing with incidents. Built by Cartwright Vehicle Conversions, the vehicle will provide shelter, hot drinks and toilet facilities for officers as they work out in the field.

Scot Seat supplied two rear facing, San Carlos High Back Seats and two San Carlos Deluxe High Back Recliner Seats, as well as our Multi-Van M1 tested bonded rail to fit the seats on.

You can watch the full report from the BBC below

SCOT SEAT UTILISE SKYDEX FOR SEATS ON RNLI E CLASS LIFEBOAT

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 13:32:44 GMT

Scot Seat utilise SKYDEX for Seats on RNLI E class lifeboat

Scot Seat have designed and built replacement seats for RNLI E class lifeboats. Jonathan Young, Managing Director of Scot Seat said, ‘The objective was to retain existing seat designs and improve the cushion performance. The refit project needed to be completed quickly to ensure that lifeboats had minimum time out of service. Utilising SKYDEX Impact Mitigating Seat Cushion Inserts linked to Scot Seat manufacturing provided an effective solution. Both our companies are proud to support the RNLI.’

SKYDEX Seat Inserts are designed to fit in all types of marine seating to enhance comfort and cushion durability. From jockey and bench seats on RIBs and open boats to wheelhouse and cabin seating, SKYDEX technology utilises geometries and polymer structures to provide high performance cushioning and impact absorption.

Scot Seat-KPM Marine provide specialist shock mitigation seats for maritime applications that are used globally by rescue services, military operators, police forces and commercial boat operators. Scot Seat Group are dedicated to improving the comfort and safety for all transportation seating.

About the E Class

E class is the fastest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet and was specially designed for London’s busy River Thames. With its powerful tidal currents, submerged debris and heavy traffic, the Thames can be incredibly dangerous for those on and around the water. Fast, tough and manoeuvrable the E class lifeboat was designed to handle these river conditions. The crew consists of 4 people who sit on jockey and bench seats, with capacity for 20 casualties.

About the RNLI

SCOT SEAT COVID 19 RESPONSE

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 12:32:43 GMT

Dear all,

In light of the Government’s announcement on 23rd March and seeking guidance from relevant authorities we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close Scot Seat Direct Ltd (also trading under Scot Seat Group and Scot Seat KPM Marine) with the aim of re-opening on 14th April 2020. This will be reviewed and will only happen if this is safe to do so.

T his decision has been made to protect our employees, associates and customers which in turn protects all their loved ones.

We appreciate this is going to have a knock effect for our customers and suppliers and we will endeavour on our return to get orders shipped out as quickly as possible. In the meantime, please do use your normal contacts for quotes, orders and any technical information you may require and please do keep us updated on any changes to current orders.

Your normal contacts will still be contactable by email and our normal phone number, however, all calls may not be answered due to it being transferred offsite.

We hope you understand our reasoning behind making this difficult decision and that we are doing this to protect our workforce and others they come in contact with.

Thank you for your understanding and our thoughts are with you all in these difficult times.

Jonathan A Young

Managing Director

THE SAN CARLOS SEAT FROM SCOT SEAT

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 10:09:54 GMT

The San Carlos range of seats from the Scot Seat is their most popular and common seat manufactured in their factory in Ayrshire, Scotland.

The San Carlos seat was originally designed for the commercial sector as a van seat and was one of the first standard seats Scot Seat produced.

Redbay Boats, a boat manufacturer close to Scot Seat, approached them having seen the van version to see if the seat could be customised for marine use for their range of boats. Scot Seat took up the challenge and from that point they started manufacturing marine seating which has now grown to a significant part of their business. San Carlos seat is now a popular choice for many passenger vessels operating around the world.

The San Carlos seat range developed with several different variants and is now available in many different formats. From the standard seat there are both high and low back versions available. The seat can be available in a reclining version or as a flip-up seat as well as a deluxe version with luxurious cushioning. Additional accessories to the San Carlos include heating seats, waterproof washable protective seat covers, fixed headrest or folding armrests.

The versatility of the San Carlos seats means they can be upholstered in any manufacturers trim as required and customised to the vessel or vehicle in which they are fitted. The range can be made from mild steel stainless steel or aluminium to suit different applications.

Today the San Carlos seats provide passengers comfort and safety in various vessels and continues to be prolific in its main market – the automotive sector, providing seating for crew vans, welfare vans, blue light service vehicles, minibuses and countless other applications.

RIBQUEST VELOCITY WITH SCOT SEAT

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 08:49:27 GMT

At Seawork 2019 RibRide and RIBQUEST were showing their Velocity fast RIB. The RIB was delivered last year and during that time 6,000 passengers have enjoyed a thrilling trip at high speed on this vessel.

In addition to passenger rides, on the 28th March this year, the RibRide team attempted and successfully smashed the ‘Round Anglesey Record’. This was achieved in a clockwise direction at low-tide and slack water over a distance of 65 nautical miles with the speed averaging 61 knots. The set-up of the boat was exactly as it is worked commercially for the record, and straight after it broke the record it went back to work.

Scot Seat provided two S2J shock mitigation jockey seats for the crew who are on the boat all day and supplied complete fixed jockey seat cushions with 75mm triple layer of SKYEDEX for the passenger seats, making it a comfortable ride at high speed. The seats were all trimmed in toughtec material which is anti-slip in either wet or dry conditions. They are also UV resistant and hardwearing. Graham Lawton from RIBQUEST commented, “You wouldn’t know that the seats are 12 months old and have had 6,000 passengers. They are as good as they day we took delivery, the stitching is intact, and the seats are all still firm and comfortable.”

The fixed seat cushions with SKYDEX cushion inserts can be retro fitted in any shape or size.

SCOT SEAT OPENS IN-HOUSE POWDER COATING PLANT

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 08:40:03 GMT

As part of their expansion with a new factory on site, Scot Seat has invested in a powder coating system so that they can carry out the procedure in house.

Working with RFS Finishing Systems, Scot Seat has installed a spray booth and box oven in part of their new factory which means that all their seat frames and metalwork are now powder coated instead of wet painted. Prior to the installation of this system, it was only some of the products that underwent the procedure, but bringing it in-house means that all the products can now have this treatment.

Jonathan Young, Scot Seat Managing Director commented, “it is really great bringing this in house. We have better control of the product and it helps our carbon footprint as we don’t have to drive parts out to a third party to get the powder coating done.”

Scot Sea has trained some of their existing employees in the use of the new equipment and they have been pleased with the results which has resulted in quicker production times and greater control of quality. They will be able to provide powder coating to customers for other projects in the future.

SCOT SEATS TO SPONSOR NEXT GEN 2019

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 10:24:03 GMT

Scot Seats are pleased to sponsor NEXT GEN 2019. Focused on the sub IMO / sub 24 metre professional sector, this unique program of specialist one day safety workshops is being held at the Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton on 2nd, 3rd,and 4th April.

The fast moving sessions bring together an international group of 25 experts armed with the latest knowledge to identify problems that affect the maritime sector worldwide - and highlight potential solutions!

NEXT GEN Shock Mitigation Solutions on 4 April 2019 focusses on managing the risk of operating planing craft in waves. Extreme applications have driven rapid development and solutions are now becoming available for lower speed vessels. Jonathan Young, Managing Director of Scot Seats is presenting on ‘a cutting edge update on suspension seating innovations and industry led technology’.

Workshop Lead, John Haynes said, ‘To meet the changing requirements of modern fleets, smart organisations and specialist equipment manufacturers now need to work together to blend traditional safety methods with innovation. We are really pleased to have the support of Scot Seats and the expertise of their team at NEXT GEN 2019.’

NEXT GEN Workshops are relevant to workboats, pilot boats, patrol, search & rescue, survey, wind farm support, superyacht tenders, training and charter vessels. Attendees include commercial operators, professional organisations, boat builders, equipment manufacturers and service providers.

NEXT GEN 2019 Information www.nextgen-marine.com
NEXT GEN 2019 Event Manager - Julie Arthur julie@shockmitigation.com

ScotSeat Latest News

KPM Marine Awarded Prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise

KPM Marine has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation.

ISO Certification

Scot Seat Group have just passed our 'BS EN IS O 9001:2015' inspection with no non-conformance. ﻿

Maintaining our standards

Congratulations to our fabulous team of welders

New Naval Training Boats Fitted With Scot Seat KPM Marine Products

New Naval Training Boats Fitted With Scot Seat KPM Marine Products

KPM-Marine wins a Queen's Award for Enterprise

KPM-Marine has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise - Innovation 2022.

Scot Seat Buys into KPM Marine

Scot Seat has merged with KPM Marine, the maker of safety-critical products for the marine industry.

Scot Seats utilise SKYDEX for Survivor Seats on RNLI Severn class lifeboat

Scot Seats have designed and built replacement seats for the survivor space of RNLI Severn class lifeboats. ﻿

Mobile barber seats are a cut above

Scot Seat remodelled Trim-IT mobile van seats

Scot Seat help create “no ordinary police van”

Scot Seat helping North Wales Police

SCOT SEAT UTILISE SKYDEX FOR SEATS ON RNLI E CLASS LIFEBOAT

Scot Seat utilise SKYDEX for Seats on RNLI E class lifeboat

SCOT SEAT COVID 19 RESPONSE

Dear all,

THE SAN CARLOS SEAT FROM SCOT SEAT

RIBQUEST VELOCITY WITH SCOT SEAT

SCOT SEAT OPENS IN-HOUSE POWDER COATING PLANT

SCOT SEATS TO SPONSOR NEXT GEN 2019

Scot Seat Group have just passed our 'BS EN IS O 9001:2015' inspection with no non-conformance.

Scot Seats have designed and built replacement seats for the survivor space of RNLI Severn class lifeboats.