Page 48: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 2015)

MARINE PROPULSION

Lindner Sees Strong ’15

On the last day of what proved to be companies such as Scania boast an ad- American workboat market for several a busy Workboat show in New Orleans, vantage in this regard, able to apply les- years now, entering a large and mature

Mikael Lindner, President, Scania North sons learned from other industries and market with a history of providing pow-

America, sat with Maritime Reporter & leverage a well-funded R&D budget to er solutions across multiple industries

Engineering News to re? ect on the cur- ensure its lines are modern, capable and globally. With a long-term plan to pene- rent and future direction of the power ready. “There is a buzz regarding Tier 4, trate one of the world’s largest workboat company’s marine business in North even though it is still two to three years markets, Scania’s patience is starting

America. away,” said Lindner. “I think we have a to pay dividends with steady growth in

As the marine market follows in step really good plan, and it is not rocket sci- new installations and re-powers.

with other transport and industrial sec- ence by any means; you will likely need “Looking at North America, 2014 tors to literally clean up its collective to have after-treatment in some form. As should be similar to 2013 in that we are act, marine power providers are at the tip Scania is a global manufacturer of pow- on a constant growth pattern; 2013 was a of the spear in the quest to make com- er for trucks, buses and many different record year for us, 2014 should be close mercial marine operations more envi- markets, we have all of these technolo- and things look promising for 2015,” ronmentally benign and in line with new gies within our own company (to meet said Lindner. “Five or six year ago we regulations on emissions. the strictest new emission regulations).” started with our plan, and we’re starting

Broad-based global corporate power Scania has been a face in the North to see this bear fruit now.”

Huibers Drives Volvo Penta Full Steam Ahead

For a several years Ron Huibers – has spent the last couple of years fully this is not a switchboard.”

President of Volvo Penta of the Ameri- engaged in the effort. While solid performance on distribu- cas – and his team have led a steady • Distribution: “Two years ago we tion, parts and customer service is criti- ? ght for share of market in the commer- had some good distributors, but what cal, Huibers knows that bringing to the cial workboat sector. While the war is we didn’t have the depth and capability market a solid and reliable product line far from over, battles are being won. needed on the marine commercial side,” trumps all. Enter the Volvo Penta IPS “When people see Volvo Penta, it’s Huibers said. The solution: strengthen Propulsion.

not like we’re new in this space,” said the dealer network with well-known

Huibers, explaining his company’s pres- and proven entities. In early December The Integrated System Approach ence in the North American workboat Volvo Penta of the Americas announced Volvo Penta’s IPS Propulsion is the sector. “But we’ve building one brick at the appointment of Stewart & Stevenson company’s ‘systems approach,’ as a time. It is a million details; it’s belly FDDA LLC (FDDA) and Paci? c Power Huibers explains; “There is only so button to belly button; people have to Group as new Volvo Penta Authorized much ef? ciency you can squeeze out trust you.” Power Centers. of the power plant itself. But when you

Huibers is “responsible from the North • Parts: Any manufacturer is only as take a ‘systems approach,’ that’s how

Pole to the South Pole in the Americas, good as its ability to rapidly supply qual- you get 30% fuel savings.” and worldwide for the gas products.” He ity repair parts for maintenance and re- The ? rst commercial vessel to be de- spent much of his career on the auto- pair. The solution: The opening of a new ployed in North America with Volvo motive side of the business, but he has one million square foot central parts dis- Penta IPS is the Thomas Paine, the new a clear passion for the marine business, tribution center in Byhalia, Miss. “The 50-ft. aluminum patrol boat for the Mas- spearheading the company’s commer- new facility in Byhalia is the keystone sachusetts Environmental Police ? eet cial maritime sector drive to build brand of a comprehensive optimization of the delivered in July. Built by Metal Craft awareness amongst a clientele that tends North American aftermarket parts dis- Marine it is equipped with twin Volvo to be ? ercely brand loyal. tribution network for Volvo Penta,” said Penta D11 510hp marine diesel engines inboard shaft drives,” said Huibers.

To this, Huibers leans on the com- Huibers. driving IPS650 steerable drive units. “The individually steerable drive units pany’s strong global reputation. “If you • Customer Service: Though it may Power Products, the Volvo Penta Power with joystick docking provide a dramat- look at Volvo Group our R&D invest- sound trite, customer service is the core Center in New England, supplied the sys- ic difference in maneuverability, and the ment is running north of 7% of sales; of Volvo Penta’s commercial maritime tem and oversaw installation. According dynamic positioning system (DPS) au- and we’ve been doing that through the push in the Americas. To that end, the to Huibers, the advantages are obvious: tomatically holds the boat’s position and downturn, simply to stay in the game. company opened Volvo Penta 24/7/365 “Volvo Penta IPS drives provide 40 per- heading steady on station regardless of

You have to keep investing overtime, Technical Support, where dealers, dis- cent higher cruising range, 20 percent winds and currents.” year after year.” tributors and OEMs have access to the higher top speed, 30 percent better fuel M/V Fort Ripley is another high pro? le

Huibers understands that prosperity technical services department. “When economy, 30 percent reduction in CO2 reference for the Volvo Penta IPS drive, and growth in the maritime sector means you have a problem you are talking to a emissions and 50 percent reduction in as it was the ? rst dual purpose, rapid re- investment of dollars and people, and he real, live person for technical support – noise levels compared with traditional sponse vessel and pilot launch, designed 48 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JANUARY 2015

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