Manufacturing Efficiency News

Reintjes is a name known well in maritime circles, a German engineering and manufacturing company which has designed and built some of the most rugged gearboxes on the waterways. Klaus Deleroi took the helm at Reintjes in January 2015, and he is in the midst of steering a change in mindset at the company: a mindset that is more customer-centric to better understand and fulfill the needs of the people and companies that own and operate vessels. We met with Deleroi in his Hameln, Germany, HQ for insights on the path ahead.

Shipments of gyros increased 46% over 2013 as more boat manufacturers added Seakeeper as standard and optional equipment on new builds. A sizable portion of its sales also came from refits. Additional sales personnel, third party partners and industry acceptance helped to increase this segment. The company expanded its markets in 2014 with its portfolio of five new models, scaled to fit a wider range of boats from 30'–220'. The updated units are more compact than earlier versions and cost less due to the company's investment in manufacturing efficiency.

Seakeeper proudly introduces five new models, offering stability and roll reduction for vessels 30’ and larger! The product range now includes the Seakeeper 5, 9, 16, 26 and 35 models, with gyros that are smaller and more powerful than ever. After developing the most effective zero-speed anti-rolling devices ever made, Seakeeper forever changed the experience of boating. To date, over 1,700 Seakeeper gyros have been delivered, installed on every major boat brand in the world. All models achieve from 70 to 90% reduction in roll, while requiring only modest electrical power. These versatile gyros have no outside appendages, and can be installed off centerline if needed.

After developing what it calls the most effective zero-speed anti-rolling devices ever made, Seakeeper said it forever changed the experience of boating. Within a decade, the company claimed a position as a global leader in active gyroscopic stabilization technology. Now, it introduces the Seakeeper 5, 9, 16, 26 and 35 models. These gyros are smaller and more powerful than ever. To date, over 1,700 Seakeeper gyros have been delivered, installed on every major boat brand in the world.

Thrustmaster of Texas announced the achievement of an important company milestone: 30 years in the marine propulsion industry. Established in 1984 by its current president, Joe R. Bekker, Thrustmaster has grown from a small manufacturer of outboard, deck-mounted propulsion units to a worldwide leading manufacturer of marine propulsion systems. From the first order for 13 deck-mounted propulsion units for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a follow-up order for the U.S. Navy…

Chris Bollinger sets the table for an exciting 2013 & beyond. Maritime Reporter caught up with Chris Bollinger on a recent trip to the Gulf Coast for the October 26, 2012, christening of Bollinger’s latest newbuild; the first two of four tugboats in Crowley Maritime’s ocean class series, Ocean Wave and Ocean Wind. Directly on the heels of those two hulls are the next in series; Ocean Sun and Ocean Sky. The event, attended by more than 250 guests and employees from both the Crowley and Bollinger families, underscored the upbeat mood at the diverse, Gulf Coast shipbuilding and repair group. The most visible manifestations of the recent uptick of business at Bollinger include the U.S.

Mobile, Ala.-based builder continues building next generation of U.S. •    Received Award for Excellence in Safety for 3rd year in a row from the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) for commitment to improving safety and health in the workplace. The industry average Total Recordable Incidence Rate in 2011 was 9.2, four times higher than Austal USA’s rate of 2.3. •    Received Navy construction contracts for 4 Joint High Speed Vessels (worth $634.7 million) and 4 Littoral Combat Ships (worth $x billion).

The SINOPACIFIC Shipbuilding Group signed a newbuilding contract of 4 SPP35 platform supply vessels (PSV) and a Letter of Intention of 2 large SPP50 PSVs with SLOK Nigeria Ltd. The six vessels are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2014. This marks the first time that independently designed offshore supply vessel (OSV) products of SINOPACIFIC direct selling to the African market, signifying the growing maturity and acceptance of the SP brand within the market. Over the past two years, SINOPACIFIC has successfully sold 20 similar vessels. Reportedly, the two newly contracted types will be built at SINOPACIFIC’s Dayang Shipyard. “Dayang has been focusing on efficiently building bulk carriers.

The advent of software solutions has infiltrated nearly every sector of the maritime market - from propulsion performance monitoring packages to personnel. It arguably has had no greater impact, though, than in the design and construction of new vessels. CAD/CAM/CAE programs are invaluable assets to the designer, builder and operator of vessels of all sizes and dimensions. Not only do advanced programs allow for the creation of the an efficient and cost effective ship structure and outfitting, they provide for enhanced manufacturing practices and techniques, and increasingly help devise a life-cycle maintenance and care plan which can tack profitable years onto a vessel's life.

Northrop Grumman has completed work on a covered module outfitting facility to support Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier construction. Northrop Grumman Corporation has completed work on a pier and a covered module outfitting facility to improve manufacturing efficiency. These new facilities are among several capital investments the company is making to further modernize its Newport News sector. The multi-level pier is 1,040 ft. long and is designed to support outfitting and testing for both aircraft carrier new construction and overhaul. Among its features are 28,000 sq. ft. of material staging area, raised crane rails to improve material flow to the ship deck, 300 office spaces, lunch tables and passageways for personnel and vehicles. Representatives of Northrop Grumman and the U.S.