Page 68: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 2013)

68 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News ? OCTOBER 2013 awarded to the student team from the University of British Columbia, Canada. Austal USA Earns AEU Safety Award American Equity Underwriters, Inc. (AEU) has honored Austal USA, a mem-ber of the American Longshore Mutual Association (ALMA), with the presen-tation of their 2012 Safety and Health Award for a large shipyard. Eni Targets Growth in North American MarketEni USA R&M subsidiary of Eni S.p.A. (seventh largest integrated multinational oil and gas company headquartered in Ita-ly present in 90 countries) plans to go be-yond its historical business area of Que-bec, Ontario, eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York boroughs where it has sold its lubricants since 1987. In the last two years, Eni USA R&M changed its business model by selling its prod-ucts mostly through distributors instead of direct selling to its customers. For this reason Eni USA R&M signed market- ing partnership agreements with PPC Lubricants for New Jersey and Eastern Ohio; Polsinello Fuels for the New York state and Southern Connecticut; Simon Giguere for Quebec province and J&R Young for Eastern Pennsylvania. www.eni.com VSRA to Celebrate 35th Anniversary The Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA) is preparing to celebrate its 35th Anniversary and held a dedication of a new memorial to the private ship yard industry on the Portsmouth Path of His-tory. This National Historical Landmark is a one mile walking timeline represent-ing the birth of the industrialized U.S. Naval ß eet. In his remarks to the more than 240 member companies of the As- sociation, CAPT. Martin Staiger (Ret.) recalled the risks and challenges in-volved in preparing private yards for the advent of the new Aegis class cruisers. People & Company NewsBased on its recent analysis of the North American protective and ma- rine coatings market, Frost & Sulli- van recognized Hempel with the 2013 Growth Excellence Leadership Award. In 2012, Hempel exhibited double- digit revenue growth well in excess of 20% and increased its overall mar- ket share in North America to 9.5%. Frost & Sullivan noted that Hempel?s competitors? revenue growth rates are more closely aligned with the base year total market growth rate of 2.1%. Hempel?s acquisition of Blome In- ternational in 2012 complemented its existing product lines, especially for the oil and gas industry. Whereas smaller companies would have expanded their industry focus or become acquisi- tion targets in a struggling economy, Hempel resisted the trend and became more aggressive to grow its market share. Its success stems from getting the sales force of both companies to sell the newly combined offering. The company also focused on  ne-tuning operational synergies to promote faster delivery, improve research and devel- opment, and reinvent the company to overcome new market challenges. www.hempel.us Hempel Receives Growth Excellence Leadership Award MR #10 (66-73).indd 68MR #10 (66-73).indd 6810/3/2013 3:02:04 PM10/3/2013 3:02:04 PM