SHIPPING GOOD: Steering A New Course for Senesco Marine

Southeastern New England Shipbuilding Corporation (SENESCO) began production at its 28-acre Quonset Point Industrial Park facility in 1999, specializing in the construction of double-hulled liquid fuel barges. With such a reputation and with a predicted surge in demand due to increased federal mandates for double-hulled construction, SENESCO’s future looked bright. But as business increased, delivering products on time became an issue. And in such a competitive industry, delivery problems meant that despite its quality product, SENESCO might lose business to the competition.

The company responded by appointing a new CEO experienced in manufacturing operations, and a new ship-design partner. These changes brought production back into on-time territory, but SENESCO’s reputation suffered a setback. Negative perceptions persisted in the industry, hampering operations and threatening continued growth.

Eric Cote and his CK Communications colleagues were retained to not only help restore positive industry perceptions, but re-energize the entire enterprise and signal a new chapter in the company’s history.