ZF Fortifies Product Line, Business Plan
Consolidation of manufacturing and service entities is perhaps the world's worst kept secret. Marine propulsion manufacturers, in particular, have been rapidly consolidating companies, lines and capabilities in order to broaden their organizations to be truly global, while filling any holes in the power range along the way. ZF, a renowned maker of marine transmissions, has done this and more in becoming a single source propulsion supplier. The expansion of the product line includes a complete propulsion systems was part of ZF Marine's strategic plan established in January 1999. It has now become a reality, with the founding of the Propulsion Systems division, based at ZF Padova.
Finland: Cradle of Marine High-Tech
The Finnish maritime market continues to serve the high-tech, high-value end of the marine business with a plethora of engineered solutions and continually evolving marine technology. As the brunt of "series production" shipbuilding (ie. bulkers and tankers) is now firmly embedded in the Far East, dominated by Japan, Korea and China, Finland continues to be a dominating force in specialty markets, most notably cruise shipping. But the industry today is vastly different from that — even five years ago. Finland has not been insulated from the wave of corporate consolidations engulfing the world. In fact, the status of its two signature yards…