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Building A Marine Propulsion Empire Vickers Pic has made a major invest- ment in becoming a dominating player in the marine propulsion realm. With a stable of brand names — Ulstein, Kame- wa, Rauma, Aquamaster, Brown Broth- ers and Michell Bearings — the group is positioned to capitalize on markets around the globe. Maritime Reporter caught up with Vickers Pic CEO, Baron Paul Buysse for his take on this venture, as well as his inside strategies and goals for the future of the new company. MR: Why the heavy investment in marine at this point in time? PB: After the divestment of Rolls Royce and Cosworth, Vickers pic was left with three strong engineering divi- sions: Defense, Turbine Components and Marine. In the Marine division we have very strong brand names such as Vickers PLC CEO Baron Paul Buysse Kamewa, Rauma, Aquamaster, Brown Brothers and Michell Bearings. These businesses are mainly special- ists in propulsion and positioning. Propellers, thrusters and water jets are the main products, which are distrib- uted on a global basis. When we reviewed the Vick- ers strategy in early 1998 we came to the conclusion that the specialist vessel sectors of the marine industry such as offshore, fast cargo and passenger ves- sels, and cruise will have a substantial growth pattern in the coming decade. We then scanned the leaders in these markets to identify who would make an ideal fit with Vickers Marine. It was the Ulstein Group, which came out of this survey as outperforming all the criteria we had set ourselves. Given our combined position in, for instance, deep water offshore explo- ration and production, (undoubtedly one of the growth sectors of the industry), as well as in fast vessels, naval and cruise segments, (where our new Mermaid POD system is being particularly well accepted) we are convinced that long- term the marine industry will be suc- cessful for us. MR: How are you preparing Vickers to compete in good and bad markets? PB: With the new combined Group, we are in an ideal position to offer our customers a technological partnership including the services of our unique hydro dynamic research center in Swe- den. We will provide ship systems design, technological research, and a strong global service and repair network supported by a high quality manufactur- ing platform, which has benefited recently from important capital invest- ments. MR: How does the Ulstein purchase strengthen Vickers? PB: Ulstein was roughly 75 percent complimentary to Kamewa and the other Vickers Marine businesses. Where the Vickers Marine companies focus more on research and advanced technological solutions for our cus- tomers, Ulstein was very active in expanding their global presence includ- ing the updating of the most modern standards in the manufacturing and development of their ship systems and design departments. Their recent acqui- sition of Bird-Johnson in the U.S. gives them a very strong presence there. MR: Discuss the melding of corporate cultures among the companies you have acquired. Sasakura developed new generation of Plate Type Fresh Water Generator. Capacity range: 3-40t/day Fast world-wide support! If you operate a Harbormaster or Murray & Tregurtha product anywhere in the world, we can provide spare parts and on-site field service. Call us first! Circle 250 on Reader Service Card Circle 211 on Reader Service Card 76 Maneuver.. .Propel.. .Position Harbormaster thrusters and 31777 Industrial Road Livonia, Ml 48150 USA (734) 425-1080 Fax (734) 425-1850 Website: http://www.harbormastermarine.com AQUARIO Tunnel Thrusters 100 to 2000 HP No Front Cover!! The deletion of front cover provides:- * Easier disassembly and reassembly of Plate Heat Exchanger. *No corrosion of Frame, Guide bar, End cover and Bolts & Nuts because they do not contact with seawater. * Minimal installation and maintenance. Sasakura provides Water Makers of the Submerged Tube Type, Multiple Effect Type, Two Stage & Multi Stage FlashType, Reverse Osmosis Type and Vacuum Vapor Compression Type for various applications. ENGINEERING CO.,LTD. 7-32, Takejima 4-chome, Nishiyodogawa-ku,Osaka 555-0011, Japan Tel:+81-6-6473-2134 Fax:+81-6-6473-5540 U.S.A.: J.G.G.Services/Sasakura Tel:+1-610-430-6624 Fax:+1-610-565-9384 HONG KONG : Sasakura International (H.K.) Co.,Ltd. Tel:+852-2850-6139 Fax:+852-2850-5259 outdrives are found around the world in ships, boats and barges where economical performance is required. For unassisted maneuvering in tight quarters. For easily-moved, deck-mounted propulsion. For critical dynamic positioning. For precision vessel control. Harbormaster Marine, Inc. Harbormaster Marine products are designed to customer specification and built with utmost care and highest quality. They provide years of durable service and are backed by a reliable support system. Outboard and through- the-huH azimuthing drives 50 to 1500 HP Harbormaster
