Page 14: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2012)

14Maritime Reporter & Engineering News While you are geographically diverse, what do you count as the core strength of the TRIYARDS brand? MakWe have several key competitive strengths that position us to take advantage of opportunities we see in our industry. First, we ensure the quality of our prod- ucts and achieve the engagement of our customers through our core values of Responsiveness, Innovation and Excellence. Second, we have a leading market po- sition in Southeast Asia for the construction of selfel- evating, self-propelled units and have established a significant track record, having delivered six self-ele- vating units over the past four years, with an additional two newly designed self-elevating units being built for use in deeper waters to be delivered by 2014. As the demand for self-elevating, self-propelled accommoda- tion and construction units continues to grow globally following the increase in offshore construction activ- ity and the aging of offshore infrastructure, our strate- gic focus on the construction and fabrication of such units will continue to be one of our key strengths. Third, our yards in Vietnam possess strategic advan- tages. The yards are within a major shipbuilding clus- ter, strategically-located along the South China Sea. The yards also have sheltered fabrication facilities to allow for year-round production in all weather condi- tions. The facilities benefit from a skilled labor force (including naval architects and engineers, who have significant production efficiency) and access to lower- cost labor. In addition, the local government is sup- portive of the shipbuilding industry. Looking at the past 12 months (or future 12 months) please provide to us details on what you consider to be the two or three most important contracts? MakTRIYARDS has clinched a new $77m order for a specialized offshore unit, strengthening its position in the Southeast Asian offshore engineering and fabrica- tion market. The contract also adds to TRIYARDS? fast growing order book. Jobs in hand include two self-el- evating, mobile offshore units and the Lewek Constel- lation- an ice-class, deepwater multi-lay vessel with heavylift capability - which is among the most ad- vanced construction and pipelay vessels globally in its class.How is TRIYARDS investing in its yard to make it more efficient? MakOur strategic objective is to establish our Group as one of the leading self-elevating units and platforms, offshore support and construction vessels and offshore equipment fabrication yards in Vietnam and the whole of Southeast Asia. We plan to achieve our objective by expanding the Group?s product range of self-elevating, self-propelled accommodation and construction units,offshore support and construction vessels. We are also looking to expand into new product categories and de- veloping our own equipment product line and brand- ing, and constantly strive to upgrade our fabrication capabilities.What do you consider to be the top challenges of running an efficient, profitable industrial construction business today? MakThe two top challenges of running an efficient, profitable industrial construction business today are keeping ahead with technology to ensure that products better meet the needs of the industry, and building an optimal organization with the right talent. With our em- phasis on Responsiveness, Innovation and Excellence, TRIYARDS is at the forefront of innovation that re- sponds to industry needs. Our Lewek Constellation will be the crowning glory of TRIYARDS. It will be one of the most technologically-advanced construc- tion vessels in the world when ready , and will add toTRIYARDS? track record for delivering quality prod- ucts. Recruiting and retaining talent is a global chal-lenge. In order to ensure that TRIYARDS remains a competitive employer, we have structured systems of grooming all who come through our doors. One of themost essential roles I have is to ensure that our people are trained and prepared for a rewarding career with us. This will always be one of management?s priorities. It is only with the right talent that any industrial con- struction business can thrive. INTERVIEWFIVE MINUTES WITH ANDREW MAK, COO, TRIYARDS By Greg Trauthwein, editor QSome of our readers may be unaware of the TRIYARDS brand. Can you give to us an executive overview of your facilities globally? TRIYARDS offers a broad spectrum of engineer- ing and fabrication services that are marketed under the ?TRIYARDS? brand. The company oper- ates out of its two yards in Vietnam?s Ho Chi Minh City (TRIYARDS SSY) and Vung Tau (TRI- YARDS SOFEL), as well as another in Houston, Texas, USA (TRIYARDS Houston). TRIYARDS SOFEL, the vessel construction yard, was estab- lished along Vietnam?s Dinh River at Dong Xuyen Industrial Park in 2009. TRIYARDS SSY is in- volved mainly in carrying out medium to heavysteel fabrication work as well as providing equip- ment manufacturing services to a wide range ofindustries. TRIYARDS Houston produces equip- ment such as cranes, A-frames and winches,which can be installed on the self-elevating unitsand offshore support and construction vessels fabricated in Vietnam. LEFT: Triyards? COO Andrew Mak. Above, Triyards? Saigon shipyard. MR#8 (10-17):MR Template 8/8/2012 10:49 AM Page 14