Mack Powers Into Maritime Market

In the era of consolidation on the maritime diesel engine market, it is refreshing to report news of a new competitor.

Mack Trucks - well known and regarded for the quality, durability and life-cycle performance of its products in land based markets - has created a new business unit, MackPower, dedicated to manufacturing, marketing and servicing a lineup of mack diesel engines for a variety of uses, including marine applications.

"There is a lot of potential in the marine (pleasure craft and commercial) market," said Carrie-Ann Baker, manager, sales and marketing. "Mack is known for its durability, reliability and power, and that's what we're delivering to the marine market." The unit's initial entrant is the Mack E7 mechanical design engine, and the popular Mack E7 E-Tech engine, which is a six-cylinder, 12-liter model featuring an electronic pump-in-line injection system. Both engines offer excellent power-to-weight ratios, and have proven to be miserly in terms of fuel consumption.

Mack's robust E9 engine, which is a 16-liter V8 design, will be ready for market in the fourth quarter of 2000, and an electronic version of the E7 engine will be available in the first quarter of 2001, said Baker.

The biggest challenge in readying the proven diesel for marine applications was selection of the correct marinization package, which will ensure the engine is protected in adverse conditions posed by the maritime environment as well as ensure that the engine is producing to its highest potential.

Baker admits that extensive test cell work and testing delayed the engine's entrance a bit, but contends that the wait is well worth it and that these units are very worthy of the Mack name.

Initial power ratings on the marine size (which have been designated MP ME7 engines) will range from 350 to 650 hp.

Commercial and industrial engines (designated MP IE7) will range from 350 to 500 hp. Marine engines include both raw water-cooled and keel-cooled models.

"The Mack engine is a well-known, well-respected product that has proven its mettle for decades," said Scott Kress, Mack vice president, business development, and the general manager of the MackPower business unit.

The company is currently developing its distribution network, a network that will be dedicated specifically to the commercial, industrial and marine markets.

The company is also offering financial assistance.

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