Doug Oehrlein News

To celebrate its new location in San Antonio, Texas, Laborde Equipment Services (LES) opened its doors to customers and associates at an open house. The facility was overflowing as the company welcomed over 125 guests at the event. Participants were given a facility tour, while also learning more about LES and its extensive line of products and services available to the South Texas market. Laborde's senior staff, including Tracy Laborde, Brian Laborde, Doug Oehrlein, Joe Manning, Jr., Trace Laborde, and Marc Laborde, was also on hand to welcome customers.

Laborde Products of Covington, Louisiana, observes sixteen years in business in 2014. During this time, the company has expanded both its product line and staff, as well as its reach throughout much of the Gulf Coast area. Growth has brought changes to Laborde's staff. Stepping down as president, Tracey Laborde remains company CEO. Brian Laborde now fills the role of president, with Doug Oehrlein as VP of sales and marketing. More diesel technicians and a new service manager augment the company's dedicated service department.

Laborde Products was selected as Vapor Power International Marine Distributor for the North American marine markets. The announcement was made at the 2013 International WorkBoat Show. "The Vapor Power heaters really complement our growing position in the inland tank barge industry," said Doug Oehrlein, Laborde Products' VP sales & marketing. "The Mitsubishi powered mechanical tank barge power units and the Vapor Power heaters are the right product for our heater barge customers," said Oehrlein. Chris Cerullo, Laborde's marine manager.

Meeting the needs of its customers who demand mechanical engines, Laborde Products continues to gain market share with its Mitsubishi Tier 3 engines. The company has already started taking orders for new construction pushboats to be constructed in late 2012 and 2013, without any signs of slowing down. "We're not surprised by how receptive the commercial marine market has been to these new engines. We listened to our customers, who clearly told us they wanted fully mechanical, Tier 3 engines and that's what we've provided," said Doug Oehrlein, Laborde Products COO.

Deep in the Louisiana Cajun Country, LA Carriers was founded in 1986 as a small barge management firm. Now shipping in excess of 275,000 net tons of cargo annually, LA Carriers chooses Laborde Products to supply powerful Mitsubishi engines. The third such installation for LA Carriers, it allows the company to fulfill its promise of just-in-time delivery. A recently built 98' tug, M/V Karen Koby, was fitted with twin ABS-certified S12R-Y2MPTK Mitsubishi engines rated 1,260 hp at 1,600 rpm, as well as 50kW FPT generators.

Laborde Products has appointed Performance Power Systems as a new dealer. Based in Savannah, Georgia, the company is a full-service marine diesel engine facility specializing in powertrain and generator systems. "We wanted to represent the excellent Mitsubishi line but, we're also considering several of Laborde's other engines as well. We look forward to building a great relationship with Laborde," said Dave Orr, Performance Power Systems president. "Welcoming Performance Power Systems to the Laborde family of dealers is in keeping with our commitment to provide the very best service possible," said Laborde COO Doug Oehrlein. Performance Power Systems specializes in megayachts, diesel generator sets and commercial vessels.

Laborde Products, Inc., provided a two-day class to enable U.S. Navy's Special Boat Teams to maintain and repair the engines that power the Special Operations Craft—Riverine (SOC-R). Certified Yanmar Technician Randy Saacks and other Laborde engine professionals demonstrated disassembly, assembly and trouble-shooting. "This training ensures that the members of the Navy's Special Boat Teams have the skills required to get the job done no matter where they're deployed and regardless of what problems they may encounter," said Laborde COO Doug Oehrlein.

Laborde Products, Inc. of Covington, La. has entered into a Marine Engine Distribution Agreement with Mitsubishi Engine North America, Inc. This agreement includes the full range of MHI large bore marine engines as well as MMC Diesel Engines for generator packages and barge pump power packages. Although Mitsubishi offers a full range of marine propulsion engines with horsepower up to 1,500, Laborde will begin its effort with the Mitsubishi model S6A3-MPTA, rated at 483 hp @ 1,840 rpm. This heavy-duty 18.56-liter diesel engine was selected because it meets a wide range of potential re-power applications within the inland towing industry.

Laborde Products of Covington, La., is applying the Yanmar short stroke diesel technology to the military and light duty commercial markets. The short stroke technology allows Yanmar to provide higher rpms, which provides benefits to both water jet applications, IO applications as well as standard inboard installations. The short stoke provides the higher rpms without significantly increasing piston speed. Doug Oehrlein, Laborde Products COO, said that these benefits are being applied in a number of application. The U.S. Navy Seals, working with United States Marine, Inc, have selected Yanmar 6LY2-STP to be used in their new SOCR Riverene Craft. United States Marine, Inc., SOCR Riverene Craft powered with Yanmar 6LY2-STP supplied by Laborde Products.