This year marks a major milestone for Guidance Marine - 35 years of innovation, growth, and leadership in offshore positioning technology.

Where It All Began

Guidance Marine’s story started in the 1990s, born and bred in Leicester - with a clear goal, to improve how vessels understand their position in complex offshore environments.

It started with a group of engineers with ideas to break barriers, many of which are still serving at Guidance Marine!

Our CEO, Dale Hawley, started in purchasing in 2012 and 14 years later transitioned to CEO. We are still based in Leicester having expanded warehouse facilities and increased capacity to over 65 employees!

In 1995, we introduced CyScan, a laser-based positioning system that represented a major breakthrough at the time. This innovation helped vessels operate more precisely around offshore structures and laid the foundation for everything that followed.

Guiding Through the Years

Our journey has been shaped by continuous innovation and a deep understanding of offshore operations:

2003 – RadaScan Launch

We expanded into radar-based positioning with RadaScan, giving vessel operators a new way to maintain accurate positioning in challenging conditions.

2006 – International Recognition

Our commitment to innovation was recognised globally when we received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

2007 – Global Expansion

As demand for offshore energy grew, so did we - expanding our reach and supporting customers worldwide.

2016 – Expanding Our Portfolio

The acquisition of the Artemis product line strengthened our offering and broadened our capabilities.

2017 – Industry Recognition

We were named among The Sunday Times ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’, highlighting our growing impact.

2019 – Intelligent Operations

We supported projects like the IntelliTug, showcasing how our technology can transform vessel operations.

2025 – A New Chapter

Being acquired by Solix marked the start of an exciting new phase, accelerating our innovation journey.

2026 – Looking Ahead

With developments like Localisation Research, we continue to shape the future of positioning technology.

Adapting to a Changing Industry

Over the past 35 years, the offshore industry has evolved dramatically.

In the early days, the focus was mainly on oil and gas, with a small number of large, manned assets. Today, the rapid growth of offshore wind has transformed the landscape, with hundreds of unmanned turbines requiring safe and precise vessel operations.

We recognised this shift early and adapted our solutions to meet new challenges - helping vessels operate safely in wind farms and supporting the global transition to renewable energy.

Meet our long time mariners and what they have to say:

Sally Hallam - 15 years - Customer Support

“When I first joined the team in 2014, we were coming out of an incredibly busy period, and shortly after, the market shifted dramatically as oil prices dropped. It became a much quieter time, and we had to adapt quickly. Despite the challenges of the oil crisis, we stayed focused on what really matters - building strong relationships with our customers and giving them exactly what they need.

Over the past three years, the business has experienced its busiest period yet, which is a testament to the strength of our customer-first approach.

I started in a small customer support team of just four people, and although the team has grown, that core focus on customer support has always remained at the heart of what we do. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how far we’ve come by simply staying committed to our customers and evolving with their needs.”

Ian Morris - 20 years - Software Engineer

“When I first joined, the company was a much smaller operation - around 30 employees - and there was a lot of work to do. Production back then was very traditional, heavily reliant on manual processes and the expertise of individual technicians. It almost felt like a learning environment, similar to being at university, where knowledge was built in a more informal way.

Over time, we’ve transformed how we work, adopting betterpractices and embracing modern communication. That shift has made a hugedifference—communication is faster, clearer, and has really accelerated the waywe develop and deliver solutions.

The products themselves have also evolved significantly. Performance has improved, and ease of use has come a long way. We used to have consoles that were quite difficult to operate, but now we’ve moved to intuitive, touchscreen-based dashboards. They’re as easy to use as everyday technology—more like using a smartphone—making a real difference for our customers.

I was initially brought in to work on Cyscan 4, and while the culture used to be more reserved and diplomatic, it’s now far more creative and collaborative. Teams openly share ideas and build on each other’s thinking, which has been incredibly positive to be part of.”

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Clare Farmer - 19 years - Shipping

‍“I’ve been with Guidance Marine for 19 years, and from the very beginning, the best part for me has always been the people. I joined ust before my birthday, and I remember the warm welcome and lovely hospitality - it really set the tone for everything that followed.

There’s a real sense of family here. It’s a close, tight-knit environment where once you’re in, you feel secure, respected, and genuinely valued. I’ve always felt trusted to make my role my own while still having clear direction, which has made a huge difference in how I’ve grown with the business.

I’ve been lucky to work alongside some incredible people over the years. Leaders and co-founders have brought so much drive and passion.

Over time, I’ve seen the company grow in amazing ways. Our core products have been around for years, but they’re constantly improving because people here genuinely care about what we do. What started with small, local shipments and grown to multiple large shipments going out every day to customers all over the world.

For me, it’s the combination of great people, trust, and a shared drive to keep improving that has made Guidance Marine such a special place to work, and why I’ve stayed for nearly two decades.”

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Before Guidance Marine:

Positioning systems were limited and less flexible

Operations relied heavily on external equipment

Working near structures was slower and higher risk

Today:

Vessels can operate with greater precision and confidence

Technology adapts to the environment, not the other way around

Operations are more efficient, cost-effective, and safer

Our mission remains the same—to push the boundaries of what is possible in offshore positioning.

Thank You

This 35-year milestone would not be possible without our people, partners, and customers. Their trust, collaboration, and feedback have shaped who we are today.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to delivering the next generation of innovations that will define the future of offshore operations.