Earp was reluctant to put a figure on the deal that sees Marlow Ropes Ltd taking on the manufacture of yachting, industrial and military cordage and the company's shock cord business.

According to Honess, English Braids and Marlow will be run as completely separate companies.

Earp confirmed this, telling BB: "Both companies have their own programmes and the two companies have to remain competitive with each other."

There will be some benefits in the purchasing of raw material using the combined buying power of both businesses, said Earp, but as far as manufacturing, sales and marketing and distribution, they are two completely separate companies.

"I want to take Marlow Ropes back to its former glory, " said Earp. "I've already started work on it and we'll be back up to speed very, very quickly."

I am British, Earp insisted. I buck the trend of going out of the country to get someone else to produce things. We are exceptionally capable of taking on foreign competition, particularly on value for money and maintaining the highest standards of quality - 1whatever the cost. "Marlow has some exceptionally capable people at Hailsham, " he added. "And I see this as a fabulous opportunity to take a great British manufacturing name forward into the future. It's an honour for me."

Marlow will out in force at the London Boat Show, he concluded. "We mean business."