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DREDGING OUTLOOK “We commission the equipment, train the end users and make return visits to make sure the equipment is functioning properly. Another thing DSC promotes that many other dredge manufactures do not is that we don’t privatize the maintenance parts on our equipment. We install other OEM equipment with their original tags so our clients have the opportunity to source components in their local markets.” – Bob Wetta, President and CEO of DSC Dredge

Class dredges. The ? rm’s Poplarville, MS and Reserve, LA “This de? nitely does present some challenges but we have facilities both aim to have standard dredges in stock or at de? ned several products that have been repetitively sold least at some point in the production queue. These south- in our export markets. I envision a mix on certain model ern DSC facilities focus on 8” through 18” dredges for dredges where we will stock both Tier 3 and tier 4 versions. speculative sale and include the well-known DSC Moray, Another thought is to have both engines sitting on our shop

Shark and Barracuda Class dredges. ? oor waiting for the buyer and have the ability to do a quick turnaround no matter where the ? nal destination for the dredge will be. There is an added cost for the Tier 4 engines

BIG CHALLENGES, INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

It is one thing to talk about selling here and abroad, and and that can vary from 130% to nearly 200% of the same quite another to execute the plan in practice. That’s because engine in a Tier 3 con? guration.”

Because today’s engines – at least on the domestic side while foreign buyers are still using EPA Tier 3 engines, the

U.S. markets now demand Tier 4 to meet regulations. As – now need more after-treatment, dredge builders such as manufacturers gear up for production, the difference impacts DSC have to redesign certain aspects of those hulls. “Ob- both costs and logistics. For example, where a yard or builder viously,” says Wetta, “this cost needs to be passed on. The might want to stock several units so as to be able to quickly cost to redesign a standard product is generally absorbed by respond to demand, that’s not always possible or practical DSC because the plan is to sell the standard design many times – let’s say we absorb the design cost by amortizing when different markets demand different equipment.

it over many units. Engineering

Wetta acknowledges the issue, while laying out the DSC way of doing things.

February 2018

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