Texas Inc News

Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. announce it is providing a customized thruster propulsion system to SERCO, Inc. in support of its recently awarded No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The advanced platform design has been developed by SERCO to meet the performance requirements established by DARPA to demonstrate true unmanned operations for extended time periods.Joe Bekker, president of Thrustmaster of Texas, said,…

The U.S. Department of Defense's research and development agency is moving into the second phase of a project to to build and demonstrate a new seagoing unmanned surface vessel.The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) on Monday announced  it is moving into Phase 2 of the No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) program, which seeks to build and demonstrate a revolutionary new medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) that can go to sea and perform missions with unprecedented reliability and availability, while carrying a significant payload.

Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. said it has been awarded a contract from Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) for the design, development and manufacture of the auxiliary propulsion unit (APU) on the U.S. Navy’s future guided missile frigate (FFG 62). Thrustmaster will be supplying the complete APU package consisting of the 1MW retractable azimuthing thruster, controls, prime mover electric motor, variable frequency drive and steering and retraction power unit. The APU package will…

Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine has signed an agreement to sell the product Dynamic Positioning (DP) to the U.S. based company Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc.The agreement means that Thrustmaster of Texas now takes over the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) required to produce and sell the DP product. Rolls-Royce will also pass on necessary documentation and knowledge of the DP product. The agreement does not involve transfer of personnel.Joe Bekker, President of Thrustmaster of Texas…

Thrustmaster Holdings B.V., affiliated with US-based Thrustmaster of Texas Inc., has acquired a 58,5% stake in Blue Thruster, a Dutch-based maritime innovations company.With this transaction, Thrustmaster, a leading supplier of thrusters, gains access to two innovative patents developed by Blue Thruster. These patents relate to the so-called V-pod concept, which is a highly innovative concept configuring an azimuth thruster with an integrated permanent magnet motor.With this transaction, Thrustmaster further expands its product portfolio. and its global footprint. Simultaneously, Thrustmaster has engaged into a cooperation with AAApropulsion BV…

Thrustmaster builds a complete line of Z-Drive azimuthing thrusters from 500 HP to 4,000 HP for the inland towboat industry specifically designed to endure the demanding conditions when operating in brown water. Using Z-Drives on towboats results in substantially improved fuel efficiency, shorter trip times, decreased maintenance downtime and higher customer satisfaction when compared to traditional shaft and rudder installations. All thrusters are developed in-house by a complete engineering department for mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and electronic design.

Marine power generation and climate control products manufacturer Northern Lights has opened its fifth branch office, in Kenner, La, to enhance service to Gulf and inland waterways boat builders and vessel operators. The new Northern Lights Gulf branch, which will employ a full-time sales, parts and service staff, will warehouse marine, industrial and commercial series products. The new branch will service customers in the Gulf of Mexico and navigable inland waterways in the Midwest and Eastern regions of the U.S., including the region’s key ports: New Orleans, Houston, Pensacola and Paducah.

Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. has been supplying wireless remote controls for thrusters since the 1980s, offering products that are supported through their lifecycles with upgrades that result from recent technological developments. Breathwit Marine Contractors installed Thrustmaster’s wireless propulsion remote control system on a towboat in 1989. The controls allowed the towboat pushing the barge train to control an azimuth thruster on a bow boat at the very front of a large barge train…

BS Camburi, a 36-meter Monohull Crewboat built in Brazil by Arpoador Engenharia to the Petrobras type P2 specification has been launched and delivered. Designed by Incat Crowther, the 118-foot (36-meter) aluminum crewboat is powered by triple CAT C32 ACERT diesel engines coupled to three Thrustmaster DOEN DJ290 waterjets. Designed to Petrobras type P2 crew boat spec, this vessel will transport up to 70 passengers and crew as well as carry 50 tons of deck cargo plus fuel and fresh water cargo at a fully loaded service speed of more than 17 knots.

Thrustmaster of Texas, a manufacturer of commercial marine propulsion products, signed a deal last week to expand its Houston-based production facility by 100,000 sqft (93,000 sq m). Thrustmaster said the multimillion dollar investment has been in the making for two years and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2015 by Third Coast General Contractors. The project includes plans to double the size of the product testing area, add an onsite paint and blast facility, develop a new fabrication shop…

Thrustmaster’s deal with DOEN brings waterjet manufacturing to the United States. Marine propulsion and thruster manufacturer Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. announced a deal earlier this year to acquire the technology of DOEN, an Australian designer and manufacturer of waterjet propulsion systems. The deal is significant in that it makes Thrustmaster the only producer of commercial waterjets in the United States, helping the Houston-based company to expand upon an already strong line of commercial marine propulsion offerings.

Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. manufactures heavy-duty commercial marine propulsion and thrusters including waterjets, propulsion out drive units for barges, thru-hull azimuthing propulsion in the form of Z and L drives, retractable thrusters, transverse tunnel thrusters, and the patented Portable Dynamic Positioning System. The factory is based out of Houston, Texas with sales offices in Rotterdam, Singapore, Dubai, and Brazil. The company also has a service office in Houma, Louisiana to respond to our off-shore clients working out of that region.

Thruster manufacturer Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. expanded its product lineup to include waterjets after acquiring the technology of DOEN Pacific on Wednesday. DOEN, a designer and manufacturer of waterjet propulsion systems for the past 48 years, is one of five marine waterjet manufactures in the world building waterjets up to 4,000 kW for the commercial and military marine markets. To meet the demands of large scale, commercial applications Thrustmaster said it plans to introduce two new models to the DOEN waterjet product lineup.

Have you ever wanted to tour the largest dedicated thruster factory in the world located in Houston, Texas? Now you can. A peek behind the curtain of Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. was typically available for customers and open day events but now this experience is available online. Thrustmaster of Texas, working with a partner of Google’s Business Photos has developed a virtual tour showcasing the scale of operation underway in the 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space. The tour highlights the scope of the azimuth thrusters in the assembly area…

Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc., a company in the design and manufacture of marine thruster systems, announced several promotions in its top level operations management. Jason Small, B.Sc.Mar.E., has been promoted to General Manager. Mr. Small, a graduate of Texas A&M with a B.Sc. in Marine Engineering, served as Engineering Manager at Thrustmaster for the past six years. Venkat Mudupu, PhD has been promoted to Engineering Manager. Dr. Mudupu has been with Thrustmaster for over five years and is a specialist in design of control systems for propulsion and dynamic positioning applications for marine and aerospace applications. Dr. Mudupu has a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Nevada…

Ocean Installer appointed Michael Newbury as President for its U.S. office, located in Houston, Texas. The office has been established to cater for projects run out of the US. Entering his new position in April 2013, Michael Newbury brings with him managerial experience and track record from the U.S. subsea industry. He comes from a position as Vice President for Operations and Business Development with the U.S.-based subsea contractor Deep Down, Inc. and has senior experience from the U.S. subsea industry, including Subsea 7 and Halliburton. The process of opening an Ocean Installer U.S.

Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. received a contract from Hyundai Heavy Industries for the supply and installation of multiple sets of 5MW azimuth thrusters for the next generation deep water drill ships being built at Hyundai’s shipyard in Ulsan, Korea. The vessels are of the Gusto P 10,000 design and are capable of drilling in water depths of up to 10,000ft. Each vessel uses six underwater mountable thrusters for dynamic positioning per ABS DPS-3 specifications. The units are manufactured at Thrustmaster’s ultra modern facilities in Houston…

Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. received a contract from Hyundai Heavy Industries for the supply and installation of multiple sets of 5MW azimuth thrusters for the next generation deep water drillships being built at Hyundai’s shipyard in Ulsan, Korea. The vessels are of the Gusto P10,000 design and are capable of drilling in water depths of up to 10,000ft. Each vessel uses six underwater mountable thrusters for dynamic positioning per ABS DPS-3 specications. The units are manufactured at Thrustmaster’s ultra modern facilities in Houston…

Owen Traylor has been named General Manager for Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc., a Houston-based manufacturer of marine propulsion systems. Traylor comes to Thrustmaster with over thirty-five (35) years of experience in the management of fabrication, machining and assembly of rotating equipment. He will be responsible for all operational functions including materials, manufacturing and field service. Amy Carrick has rejoined Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc. as Marketing Manager. Amy has extensive experience in a multitude of marketing functions, with the past 5 years related to the marine industry. Her responsibilities include all advertising, trade-show, promotional and customer/public relations.

Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc., has received ISO 9001 Certification from ABS. The certification was awarded after a series of rigorous quality-control audits, and verification that Thrustmaster is compliant with all phases of the ISO 9001 Quality Control processes and procedures. “We have been working towards ISO certification for well over a year,” said Gene Little, Thrustmaster quality manager. “We revised many of our existing policies and procedures, and refined others to make sure we were above and beyond what ABS was looking for. The certification is just part of an overall program to enhance the overall operations of Thrustmaster.

Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of marine propulsion systems, announces new personnel additions. Jeff Miller, who joins the company as marketing manager, has over 25 years in marketing communications, including 15 in the oil and gas, manufacturing, and offshore sectors. Miller will be responsible for market research, advertising, public relations, and all other marketing-related activities for Thrustmaster, including setting up a network of international manufacturer’s representatives. Miller attended the University of South Florida and is a member of The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Business Marketing Association (BMA) and serves on the board of directors of several organizations.

The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority (PHA) will consider $1.4m in contracts and projects for the Bayport container and cruise terminals to permit it to meet future demands -- including a new 50-acre container yard -- that will require heavy-capacity forklift and yard tractors. Among the considerations are: a change order to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. for Bayport Terminal Complex Phase 1 Container Yard -- Stage 1 for $186,929; a change order to Morganti Texas, Inc., for Bayport Cruise Terminal Complex -- Phase 1 Terminal Building for $180,938; a $68,000 increase in the professional services contract to Lockwood Andrews and Newnam, Inc.

will require heavy-capacity forklift and yard tractors. Included in the provisions are: a change order to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. for $180,938; a $68,000 increase in the professional services contract to Lockwood Andrews and Newnam, Inc. tractors for Bayport Container Terminal for an estimated $650,000.