Dealer Network News

Tidewater Inc., the world's largest fleet operator in the offshore support vessel (OSV) industry, has signed a Global Value Agreement (GVA) with engine manufacturer Caterpillar to ensure comprehensive parts, service, monitoring and maintenance support to help reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and increase uptime and availability.Tidewater’s fleet of more than 200 OSVs, including platform supply vessels (PSV), anchor handler towing supply vessels (AHTS), offshore tugs and crew boats…

OXE Marine, manufacturer of the OXE Diesel outboard engine, announced it has expanded its global distributor and dealer network with the addition of eight new partners across North and South America.The company said it has signed on distributors and dealers of OXE Diesel: BCI Marine (Canada), ADR Power Systems (FL, GA), So Cal Maritime (CA), Stanley Parts (TX), Dalco Power (Puerto Rico), Nixon Power (TN), Advanced Diesel (FL), and Phoenix Marine (AL).Jeremy Davis, OXE Marine's director of global sales…

The newest hovercraft from Neoteric Hovercraft Inc. (Neoteric), the Hovertrek II, will be exclusively powered by Briggs & Stratton's Vanguard BIG BLOCK 40.0 Gross HP EFI - Marine engine.Designed for volunteer rescue departments and recreational hovercraft use, the two-passenger Hovertrek II includes side-by-side seating, increased thrust and low weight. The enhanced controllability, storage capacity and low weight of the two-passenger vessel make it an ideal training vehicle for…

Damen Shipyards Group and Caterpillar have signed a global value agreement enabling Damen to provide bow-to-stern services and extend the scope of services offered to Damen Shipyard customers, including but not limited to fleet management and monitoring systems. Damen views the agreement as a milestone in their strategy to streamline services for their customers. The shipyards group’s philosophy of standardization is further improved with a comprehensive service program for Cat…

Superior  Wis. fire, patrol, and rescue craft builder Lake Assault Boats, part of Fraser Industries, has named Banner Fire Equipment, Inc. – of Roxanna, Illinois – as its sales and service dealership for Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and portions of Illinois. “Adding Banner Fire Equipment to our dealer network is great news for fire departments and law enforcement agencies in the region that have protection areas with on-the-water responsibilities,” said Bob Beck, director of sales and marketing at Lake Assault Boats.

U.K.-based equipment supplier Outreach Offshore Ltd announced Cedar Marine Ltd and Engineered Marine Systems Ltd will join its network of dealers offering PALFINGER Marine products.Engineered Marine Systems (EMS) specializes in the design, supply and integration of marine systems and products across multiple sectors in the industry including workboats, ferries, superyachts and expedition vessels, while Cedar Marine provides survey, technical and commercial support services for clients with a focus on future sustainability within the broad marine sector. Both companies are based in the U.K.

Built by Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, Wash., the first of the U.S. Navy's new fleet of six YT 808-class tugs was delivered in October after completing the last construction phase. Measuring 90 feet long and 38 feet 3 inches wide, the YT 808 vessel is powered by twin Cat 3512E marine engines, each rated at 1,810 horsepower. The engines drive two Schottel SRP 340 fixed-pitch z-drive thrusters providing a top speed of 12.5 knots and an expected bollard pull of 40 metric tons.The new series of Robert Allan Ltd.-designed tugs are the Navy's first vessels built to meet the U.S.

Power solutions provider Cummins announced its new X15 Stage V solution for vessels operating on European inland waterways will launch in 2021. The Stage V certified product offers a power range from 500 to 600 hp (373 to 447 kW) for key applications including bow thrusters and main propulsion.“Cummins’ X15 Stage V solution is an integrated engine and aftertreatment package designed and developed in-house. This delivers the optimum balance of performance and efficiency adhering to the latest emissions standards…

Engines manufacturer Caterpillar announced Tuesday it has signed a global services agreement with the the world’s largest tug operator, Svitzer, covering more than 100 vessels powered by Cat Marine engines in 30-plus countries. A focused Caterpillar team working with the global Caterpillar dealer network will execute the terms of the contract, which is designed to increase vessel uptime, drive service efficiency and extend Svitzer’s overall service experience.With towage operations serving 34 terminals and 120 ports in the Americas…

Yanmar Europe BV said it has signed an agreement with the Danish independent service provider VMS Group A/S as a new service agent for commercial marine engines and spare parts. As of today, VMS Group is a registered agent to service Yanmar medium and high commercial marine engines.Kim Rasmussen, CCO of VMS Group, sees great opportunities and good potential in the wide range of marine engines that Yanmar offers. “Due to our many years of experience in the marine business we know Yanmar as a manufacturer of efficient, strong and reliable engines. This is also what ship owners tell us as feedback on Yanmar engines. Furthermore, we find that the innovative technology behind the Yanmar engines plays an important role in the future…

The past few months have been full of uncertainties and even as we look ahead, we don’t know exactly what the future will hold. But we do know that as an industry, we’ll need to prioritize and plan differently. Within the Volvo Penta organization, the team is working hard to understand how to adapt our business as the world around us continues to adjust to a changing economic and societal landscape.As I reflect on what’s transpired since the start of the pandemic, I’m proud of the professionalism and creativity shown by our Volvo Penta team in rising to the challenges.I’ll give you an example.

Kalmar, the provider of cargo handling solutions and services to ports, is to supply NFI Industries with 25 Kalmar Ottawa Electric T2E Terminal Tractors for use in their selected distribution centers in California.The order was booked in Cargotec's 2019 Q2 order intake with delivery scheduled to be completed during the first half of 2020, said a press release from the Cargotec's unit.NFI is a fully integrated third-party supply chain solutions provider with locations across North America. Serving customers throughout a variety of industries, NFI is dedicated to providing customized engineered solutions that propel a business to succeed.NFI operates approximately 50 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space…

U.S. distributor of Toyota lift trucks and tow tractors Toyota Material Handling has announced the approval of a new lineup of lithium-ion batteries for use in its 3- and 4-wheel electric sit-down models.The  provider of material handling and industrial lift trucks and equipment, this introduction makes Toyota the first manufacturer in the industry to obtain UL-E and UL-EE certification for the combination of lift truck and lithium-ion batteries on a sit-down counterbalanced forklift.Toyota engineers worked directly with Underwriters Laboratory (UL) to test and certify the use of four new Navitas lithium-ion batteries in Toyota forklifts.

Joel Reid joined Cox Powertrain in April 2015. He holds an EMBA in Business from the University of Chicago, a Master’s Degree in Marine Surveying and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Reid has been instrumental in bringing Cox’s ground-breaking 300hp diesel outboard to market and has worked tirelessly over the last three years to create an enviable global distributor network. Reid is currently focuses his efforts on sales, distribution and support in the US market, which it is predicted to account for approximately 50% of Cox’s diesel outboard sales globally.

Barrus Marine Equipment in the UK, the Marine Leisure Division of EP Barrus, has expanded its product portfolio with the addition of Navico's Simrad and Lowrance brands.The UK-based engine importer and distributor entered the marine chandlery market last year, when it took on the Besto Lifesavers range of marine safety and life-saving equipment.Since then it has secured distribution of 20 new brands, which complement the existing range of parts and accessories distributed by Barrus.Amongst these new brands are Simrad and Lowrance, market leading marine electronics brands for the recreational and commercial marine markets."The Simrad range of marine electronics are for powerboats, sports boats and day boats.

Yanmar Marine Internationalhas appointed Julio Arribas as its South West European Regional Manager, a position that encompasses the roles of General Manager of both Yanmar Equipment Iberica, S.L. and the newly-established Yanmar France SAS.Arribas will spearhead the launch of Yanmar’s strengthened distribution operation and selective dealer network in France after the leading engine and propulsion specialist opened a new sales and customer representative office in La Roche-sur-Yon in September to provide dedicated local support.Currently the General Manager of Yanmar Equipment Iberica with responsibility for Spain and Portugal, Arribas…

As Volvo Penta continues its strategic penetration of the commercial maritime sector, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News checks in with Ron Huibers, President, Volvo Penta of the Americas. When we first met with you a few years ago, Volvo Penta was in the early stages of a strategic move into the commercial maritime sector in North America. Please update your progress. Historically, we have been strong in the marine commercial markets outside of North America. Five years ago…

Caterpillar Marine has unveiled its new Multi-Engine Optimizer (MEO) tool, which leverages proprietary performance data and patented control algorithms to provide intelligence for power management systems. MEO works by advising power management systems on which engines to operate and enables the use of dynamic asymmetric loads to drive the combination of engines and loads to create the lowest possible fuel consumption. “MEO is designed to operate in conjunction with any system, new or retrofit,” said Theodore Wiersema, business process manager for Caterpillar Marine.

MasterCraft announced that it has acquired NauticStar, a leading manufacturer and distributor of 18-28 foot, high-quality bay boats, deck boats and offshore center console boats for approximately $79.8 million. Founded in 2002, NauticStar, located in Amory, Mississippi, is privately owned and operated. With more than 15 years of boat manufacturing experience—including a 200,000 square-foot manufacturing facility—NauticStar has a reputation for reliability, quality and consistency, with a loyal network of dealers and customers including professional and sport fishermen, and recreational and pleasure boating enthusiasts. NauticStar currently sells its boats in the United States through an established network of approximately 70 dealers.

Eastern Shipbuilding’s forward-thinking inland towboat design now features CAT Tier 4 propulsion and aftertreatment. When Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) introduced its cutting edge 4,000 hp Thunderbolt inland towboat designed around twin azimuthing AAA Propulsion electric V-Pod propulsion and diesel-electric technology back in 2015, the approach was collaborative, with input from operators, naval architects (Gilbert Associates, Inc. (GAI)) and propulsion OEM’s. In selecting the podded propulsion system for inclusion on the design, Eastern met with two inland owner/operators that had Z-Drive towboats, and others that didn’t. Starting as far back as 2013, listening to each and noting their concerns, it was decided that the V-Pod was the best solution.

FPT North America announced an exclusive partnership with marine distributor Motor-Services Hugo Stamp, Inc. (MSHS), an FPT distributor partner since 2005. FPT awarded MSHS the North American territory, which includes all of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. As Master FPT Marine Propulsion Distributor for North America, customers will have direct access to FPT products, factory-trained engineers, and customer support from MSHS offices in Florida, Louisiana, Maine and Seattle, as well as a coast-to-coast dealer network. MSHS, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., specializes in marine diesel engine products and services.

BRP has appointed Olivier Pierini to fill the position of director of global marketing and strategic planning for the Marine Propulsion Systems Division (MPS). In this new role, Pierini is responsible for leading the MPS team to deliver its marketing strategy that includes reinvigorating the Evinrude brand and helping to define its mission, vision and purpose in the marketplace. His primary focus includes identifying the most impactful commercial marketing strategy for the company’s groundbreaking design efforts…

Volvo Penta of the Americas conducted a custom training course in Cancun, Mexico recently, providing full instruction in the assembly, repair and alignment of IPS engines for its regional dealer network in Mexico and Central America. Seventeen technicians attended the series of five-day, Spanish-language classes held at Pirate Marine in Cancun. They received a full training on Volvo Penta’s IPS forward-facing propulsion system, along with EVC accessories and Vodia diagnostics for IPS. According to Magnus Gedda, manager of product training, Volvo Penta of the Americas, the program is part of Volvo Penta’s strategy to build on the company’s dealer relationships in Mexico and Central America. “Consistency in service and procedures is highly important, especially for the boat owner.