Page 68: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2015)

PROPULSION

ZF Turns 100

Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin

Military of? cer, visionary, tinkerer.

Left: Daniel Härter, VP Industrial Technology, Head of

Business Unit Marine Propulsion Systems, ZF Marine (Photo: ZF)

In 2015, ZF Friedrichshafen AG will be celebrating its centennial. Founded in the city of

Friedrichshafen at Lake Constance in 1915 as “Zahnradfabrik GmbH,” the company de- veloped from an aviation specialist with regional roots to an international technology com- pany active on the global mobility markets, including maritime. MR recently visited with

Daniel Härter, Vice President Industrial Technology, Head of Business Unit Marine Propul- sion Systems, who took over responsibility for ZF Marine as of September 1, 2014.

By Greg Trauthwein

ZF is obviously large and diverse across supplies propulsion systems and com- tunnel thrusters and sail drives. sions in certain areas like inboards, sail many markets. Please speci? cally the ponents for all types of vessels - motor drives and transmissions for fast craft

Marine Propulsion Systems Business yachts, defense craft, high-speed ferries, Looking back, what do you count as your

Unit, its products & services and its con- workboats and commercial vessels, in company’s biggest introduction to this Looking back on the past year, looking tribution to the maritime industry. a power range from 10 to 14,000 kW - market? at the maritime industry as a whole, do

The Business Unit “Marine Propul- to customers including major shipyards This is dif? cult to say in a 100 years you see positive or negative, and why?

sion Systems” is a leader in the marine and engine manufacturers worldwide. history of ZF. Development of prod- The industry itself claims to be very market. Coordinated through its head- The product portfolio includes a range ucts to meet our customer’s needs and conservative, but I don’t believe so. New quarters at the location ZF Padova, of transmissions (reversing, non-revers- requirements. Listening to our custom- technologies are introduced in all areas. In

Italy, ZF Marine is present worldwide ing and hybrid), propellers, steering sys- ers and being responsive to their needs the propulsion business hybrid systems, with approximately 1,000 employees tems and CANbus-compatible, electron- has certainly contributed to our position new pollution prevention systems are and sales of $279 in 2014. ZF Marine ic control systems, azimuth thrusters, as the number one supplier of transmis- introduced, diesel electric systems, user- 68 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • AUGUST 2015

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