Largely complementary operations, a strong base in terms of volume and technologies, plus considerable synergy potential, provided a solid platform for the coupling of the marine equipment and design activities of Norway's Ulstein group and the British-owned, specialized engineering force Vickers. At a stroke, the combined strengths represented in Vickers Ulstein Marine Systems made the new entity the leader in specific market segments. However, its wide-ranging capabilities provide the requisite resources to increase penetration in existing areas of engagement and break into new markets. Just as the organization has quickly acted on its considerably widened package supply potential…