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Our History

As piracy in the Gulf of Aden began to increase in 2007, maritime and security companies looked at myriad options of protection, none of which satisfied both acceptable security measures and bottomline cost efficiencies. In 2010, a group of ex-UK military officers began to develop a modular container system that could be a self-sustaining armoured safe haven, which could be quickly dropped onto ships, alleviating the costly need to dry-dock and interrupt operations. This modular safe haven solutions created an easily locatable central safe room of escape for crews under attack with the ability to communicate with quick reaction force rescue teams – buying time and saving lives. In 2011, the first prototypes were rolled out and Crewshield was born. The systems were then quickly adapted to address the multifaceted needs of organisations in hostile environments across the globe, to include diplomatic missions, NGO’s, faith groups, extractive industries and the military.

Today, the specialised protective systems are designed with adaptable and flexible options, which can be used for rapid deployment or as permanent infrastructure in conflict, post conflict and developing areas. Units can be customised to fit every environment, from non-detectable placement to overt visible deterrents – designed specifically for client needs and/or requirements.

The Crewshield product line has also expanded to include Armoured Watchtowers, Overhead Protection Systems with accompanying sidewalls, Armouries, Armoured Faith Facilities and Armoured Fuel Containers, providing a suite of comprehensive protection solutions which address the needs of its clients worldwide.

In a further effort to supply commercially viable solutions for its clients, Crewshield introduced rent or lease options in 2019 – enabling organisations to provide the ultimate protection without compromise.

Crewshield’s infield experts have over six decades of combined ballistic and on-the-ground experience, giving them a full understanding of both operational needs and practicalities balanced with the executive mandate to ensure unitary personnel protection, risk mitigation and cost economies.

Our ballistic systems are tested and certified using NATO STANAG threat and testing protocols; certifications include BSEN 1063 – BR6 and BR7 and UL 752 Level 5 – meeting or exceeding the highest industry standards, as evidenced by being a recipient of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise: Innovation in 2016 and The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise: International Trade in 2017.

2011
Crewshield Founded
2016
• UN level 2 vendor approval.
• Awarded queens award for enterprise: innovation.
• Mk40' conjoined turnkey safe haven launched.
Crewshield. Total Solution. Total Protection.
2018
• Launched the watchtower.
• Launched the overhead protection system: OHP.
Crewhshield History
2013
First unit sold to department for international development. Units commissioned on site.
2017
• UN Support mission in Libya (unsmil) first order delivered january 2015.
• UN longterm agreement in place.
• Awarded queens award for enterprise: International Trade.
2019+
• Opened Crewshield Site in UAE.
• 100+ Units in service globally.
• Successfully passed ballistic and blast testing to BSEN 1063 and STANAG 2280 C4 standards for Overhead Protection Systems (OHP) and Side Wall Protection Systems.
• Mobilised OHP and Side Wall Protection Systems to military and commercial clients across East Africa.
2011
Crewshield Founded
Crewhshield History
2013
First unit sold to department for international development. Units commissioned on site.
Queen-Award-2016
2016
• UN level 2 vendor approval.
• Awarded queens award for enterprise: innovation.
• Mk40' conjoined turnkey safe haven launched.
Queen-Award-2017
2017
• UN Support mission in Libya (unsmil) first order delivered january 2015.
• UN longterm agreement in place.
• Awarded queens award for enterprise: International Trade.
Crewshield. Total Solution. Total Protection.
2018
• Launched the watchtower.
• Launched the overhead protection system: OHP.
2019+
• Opened Crewshield Site in UAE.
• 100+ Units in service globally.

Meet The Team

Board Advisors

IAN WOODCOCK

BOARD ADVISOR

Ian joined Crewshield’s Advisory Board in 2018, bringing his vast experience as an emerging markets entrepreneur.

David EDWARD

BOARD ADVISOR

David joined Crewshield International in an advisory capacity in 2018 and brings over 25 years Executive experience in both Listed…

Executive Directors

MIKE SAMWAYS

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Mike Samways is the founder and Managing Director of Crewshield International where he has twice been awarded the Queens…

NICK COPCUTT

DIRECTOR

Nick Copcutt joined Crewshield as a Board Member in 2019, adding over 25 years of experience of managing businesses…

Senior Management

WILLIAM HANSON

ENGINEERING MANAGER

William joined Crewshield in July 2020, bringing over 20 years extensive experience as Project Manager and Engineering Manager…

CINDY VALERA

OFFICE MANAGER

Cindy joined Crewshield in 2019 as Office Manager and Executive Assistant…

Total solution. total protection.

Why Crewshield?

Organisations inevitably maintain the hope that personnel working in austere environments will never face the unthinkable. However, in today’s complex operating environments, hope is not a strategy – preparation and risk mitigation are.

One of the key start points in this strategy is understanding the full capabilities of the equipment being used to safeguard your personnel. With any successful innovation, comes the increased risk of counterfeit and /or sub-standard products entering the market. These copycat systems are often rushed in to service without recognised accreditations and field experience increasing the risk to personnel when it most matters.

Crewshield, as the lead innovator of portable safe havens as well as many other security engineering solutions, feel that it is important that our clients and prospective clients, ask the following questions when selecting critical equipment for the safeguarding of their personnel:

Testing and accreditation are essential requirements for design and manufacturing of lifesaving equipment. All Crewshield products have been tested to internationally recognised standards by independent 3rd party accreditors. The greatest analogy given to us by a client is ‘a ship’s Captain would not contemplate the use of an untested or unaccredited lifeboat, so why would we do the same for our staff in West Africa. Safety of life items ultimately have to work as they are intended to and when they are needed to’

It is vital to understand the credibility and capability of any organisation that is a potential supplier of lifesaving equipment. Lessons are learnt and experienced gained working with our clients all over the world, sometimes in the most austere and challenging environments. Our commitment to continuous improvement of the past decade of field deployments helps to ensure that Crewshield products perform as intended in all scenarios and environments. Crewshield was incorporated in 2011 and has manufactured and installed over 1000 risk mitigation products to multiple International Governments and Fortune 500 clients. Over the 10 years since incorporation our key products have been continually modified to ensure they are user friendly, easily maintained and robust in all environmental conditions. Full reference lists are available upon request from Crewshield, naturally observing the safety and anonymity of certain client and locations where required.

The general rule is that if a potential supplier is unable or unwilling to provide references (or even tries to present references that were written for a sub supplier or manufacturing partner) then this is a red flag.

Crewshield products are patented to protect both ourselves but just as importantly our clients from untested and poorly designed products. Crewshield has instigated legal action against copycat entities for these reasons. For Intellectual Property and potential infringement enquires please contact legal@crewshield.com to ensure you do not accidently become a party to a fraudulent transaction that may result in loss of supply to your organisation or even worse injury or loss of life to the very people you intend to protect.

Case studies with credible and repeat clients are the true testament to our technology, manufacturing and operational experience. These case studies demonstrate an end user’s depth of trust with Crewshield products. Crewshield International has significant case studies covering multiple sectors, geographies and specific threat actor mitigation. Copycat producers often use stolen photographs of Crewshield installations and pass them off as successful installations of their products.

If you are in any doubt, please feel free to contact Crewshield international for a no obligation confidential conversation on the Crewshield Citadel safe haven range and our other specialised protection products.

We are all in this together.

Meet the team

The Crewshield Team has over 60 years of on-the-ground experience – bringing you the most practical, cost-effective and flexible solutions – underscored by quality, integrity and the utmost care for each and every client.

Mike
Samways

Founder & CEO
Crewshield. Total Solution. Total Protection.

Christopher
Starling

Operations Manager
Crewshield. Total Solution. Total Protection.

Katherine
Wilson

Process & Logistics Manager
Crewshield. Total Solution. Total Protection.

William
John Hanson

Engineering Manager
Crewshield. Total Solution. Total Protection.

Cindy
Valera Rebalde

Office Manager
Crewshield. Total Solution. Total Protection.

Sydney
Pereira

Draughtsman
Crewshield. Total Solution. Total Protection.

Mullachery
Vaman

Project Engineer
Crewshield. Total Solution. Total Protection.

The Citadel Available in both 20’ and 40’ sizes, the Citadel is a turnkey modular ballistic safe haven, fully ballistic certified, blast rated, force-entry protected and easily and rapidly deployable. All units are customisable and available as a buy or lease option. Crewshield Overhead Protection System Overhead Protection
System
Available in both 20’ and 40’ sizes, the OHP system is a flat-packed-turnkey modular protection system that can be purchased with protective side walls for added security. The OHP system is fully ballistic certified, blast rated and easily and rapidly deployable. Units are certified to STANAG 2280 C4, C5 available. 5 unit can be stacked in one 20' ISO container. Units available in stock. All units are customisable and available as a buy or lease option.
Armouries Available in 10’ or 20’ sizes, the Armoury is a turnkey modular solution, fully ballistic certified, blast rated, force-entry protected and easily and rapidly deployable. All units are customisable and available as a buy or lease option. Crewshield Watchtower The Watchtower Available in a variety of sizes and heights, the Watchtower is a turnkey modular ballistic unit, fully ballistic certified, blast rated, force-entry protected and easily and rapidly deployable. All units are customisable and available as a buy or lease option.

Total Solution. Total Protection.

Certifications

•ISO 9001:2015
•STANAG 4569 C1+
•STANAG 2280 C4
•BS EN 1063 BR6NS (Compliant to DIN EN 1063 BR6, 7.62 x 51 NATO / UL 752 Level 7)

Others

AISC, ANSI, AS/NZS, ASME, ASTM, AWS, API, ASME, IECEx Scheme

Global Engineering Compliance Standards

•British Standards (BS)
•European Standards (EN)
•International of Electromechanical Commission (IEC)
•ISO
•UL, STANAG
•FABIG, NFPA
•EU CE Marking Directives
•Class Societies for Marine & Offshore Rules –ABS, BV, DNV GL and LR

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If you would like more information about this product please request a callback from our team or head to our contact us page for our direct details.

All units available for sale or rental.
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If you would like more information about this product please request a callback from our team or head to our contact us page for our direct details.

All units available for sale or rental.

If you would like more information about this product please request a callback from our team or head to our contact us page for our direct details.

If you would like more information about this product please request a callback from our team or head to our contact us page for our direct details.

Crewshield Armoured Fuel

If you would like more information about this product please request a callback from our team or head to our contact us page for our direct details.

If you would like more information about this product please request a callback from our team or head to our contact us page for our direct details.

All units available for sale or rental.

If you would like more information about this product please request a callback from our team or head to our contact us page for our direct details.

All units available for sale or rental.
Play Video

If you would like more information about Crewshield and our products please download our PDF brochure.

DAVID EDWARD
BOARD ADVISOR

David joined Crewshield International in an advisory capacity in 2018 and brings over 25 years Executive experience in both Listed and private sector companies.

David’s career has seen him live and work throughout Africa & the Middle East, with a particular focus on asset leasing, power generation and security sectors. His roles have included Regional and Managing Director positions within both US Fortune 500 and UK FTSE100 companies. 

Prior to David’s career in the private sector he served in the British Army being commissioned as an officer into the Parachute Regiment.

Mike Samways
MANAGING DIRECTOR

Mike Samways is the founder and Managing Director of Crewshield International where he has twice been awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise Innovation and International Trade.

Mike developed the concepts of Crewshield products whilst serving as a Bomb Disposal Officer in the Royal Navy’s Clearance Diving branch. He has had significant impact on releasing the growth of Crewshield into a market leading Security Design organisation serving the leading governments and global commercial organisation around the world.

NICK CUPCOTT
DIRECTOR

Nick Copcutt joined Crewshield as a Board Member in 2019, adding over 25 years of experience of managing businesses in complex and hostile environments to the organisation.

His experience has included several senior corporate security positions, prior to his move into the commercial Oil and Gas sector. Nick’s experience ranges from being Group Director of Security for BG Group to Commercial and Country Management for several Oil and Gas organisations, operating in areas including Somaliland, Kenya, Uganda and Equatorial Guinea.

Prior to working in the security and oil and gas sectors, Nick served in the British Army, being Commissioned into the Parachute Regiment and serving with specialist units.

DENNIS ENGELBRECHT
Estimation & Engineering Manager

Dennis has over 25 years experience in Project and Operations Management with a wealth of knowledge and experience on complex projects, overseeing construction, fabrication and manufacturing operations. Champion engineering design and execution in construction and manufacturing environments. Dennis has adept experience working on modular structures, complex pre-fabricated buildings, and blast rated shelters for oil and gas, and other industrial sectors.

CINDY VALERA
BUSINESS MANAGER

Cindy joined Crewshield in 2019 as Business Support Manager.

Cindy brings in over 16 years experience in administrative, management finance, project management, commercial and contracts, compliance and business development. Prior to her role at Crewshield, she was Executive Assistant and Business Support to reputable shipping, civil engineering and consultancy, oil and gas companies; and has been in Dubai for over 13 years.