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24Maritime Reporter & Engineering News many as industrial location. The VDMA is thus also actively promoting network- ing among its members between thesetwo maritime segments. ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS GER-MAN CORE KNOW-HOW A further focus of German suppliers isenergy and cost saving and at the same time the environment-friendly operation of ships and offshore plants. In this re- spect, the German high tech industry hasa reputation to defend with its technolog-ical edge. ?The developments with drive trains and in particular engines are excel- lent examples here,? said Klaus Deleroi, MAN Diesel & Turbo SE (Augsburg), ?as only technology leaders with systemexpertise are able to optimize the various emission values during the entire lifecy- cle of an engine. In this process, we cer- tainly have to take into consideration the flexible deployment scenarios. By doing so, we help the customer meeting statu-tory requirements worldwide and give him a crucial advantage in terms of cost- efficiency and environmental protection.? An interesting business area is also de- veloping here for the retrofitting of older ships to ensure an immediate improve- ment in their efficiency and environmen- tal compatibility. FLEXIBILITY As it has been forecasted exactly a year ago, the workforce with 72,000 employ- ees could be largely retained. There are currently shortages of qualified employ- ees again, as other industrial areas are also booming and the demographic de-velopment in Germany is beginning to make its presence felt. ?Thanks to our well above-average training rate and the support of the dualstudy courses, we are confident about the future,? said Dr. Alexander Nürnberg. He added: ?We ask a great deal from our em- ployees. Our reliable personnel policy, our optimism and our top teams in theoften owner-managed companies will give us the suitable young talent to mas- ter the challenges in the global market with its ever shorter cycles.? Precisely for the small or medium-sized marine equip-ment and offshore suppliers, the flexible, breathing company is the prerequisite for survival on the world stage. SHAPING THE FUTURE Meyer Werft Management, works council and union IG Metall undersigneda new future oriented labor agreement.?In Europe the last existing ship yards struggle about their business,? says Bern- hard Meyer. All the more proves the doc- ument in an impressive manner the course for future markets of Meyer Werft. The shipyard with it?s daughter compa- nies, the works council and the union IG Metall jointly agreed in productivity im- provement for the next years. As a tribute to their fellow employees for their en- gagement to optimize the new production processes a bonus as well an employment guarantee till June 2016 has been given. ?With this contract we are saving the new path of constant improvement and productivity increase. We achieved a lot, but still we are not at the end of the way,? said Meyer. ?The company will invest this year again 50m EUR into yard fa- cilities, IT-infrastructure and also into staff?s professional skills. The conclusion of the contract is an outstanding example how a company with a labor agreement in long-run saves the particular location and also the jobs,? said IG Metall man- ager Meinhard Geiken. TOWARDS COOPERATION To overcome the size limitations of the Flensburg premises and in order to com- bine experience and references in the off- shore business, FSG (Flensburger Schiffbaugesellschaft mbH) entered into a partnership with the Nobiskrug ship-yard in Rendsburg. This partnership also encompasses the production facilities at the former HDW-Gaarden shipyard in FEATURE GERMANY?We continue to be suc- cessful,? said Dr. Alexan- der Nürnberg, Chairman of VDMA Marine and Off- shore Equipment Indus- tries during a press conference in 2011. Klaus Deleroi, Senior Vice President, MAN Diesel & Turbo, ?The developments with drive trains and inparticular engines are an excellent example here.? Shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen focus is on special ships like their own development SWATH-ship in all sizes. MR Feb.12 # 3 (18-25):MR Template 2/6/2012 12:40 PM Page 24