ZF Has New Products On The Way
At a strategic planning meeting hosted in Italy this month, ZF Marine CEO Roland Heil reaffirmed the marine group's intention to take a leadership role in developing advanced propulsion systems. Stephane Jacquemond, appointed last year to head up a new propulsion systems division, expects ZF Marine to introduce some dramatic new products. "We have gathered together the best talent this industry has to offer," he reported. Recent acquisitions and joint ventures have given ZF Marine a wider range of technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities. A joint venture with Fabio Buzzi's FB Design company and the foundation of ZF-Trimax to market surface-drive systems first signaled ZF Marine's intention to enter new markets.
ZF Marine CruiseCommand Offers Plug-n-Play Control
ZF Marine introduces a new plug-n-play CruiseCommand control that is designed to offer significant savings in installation and maintenance costs. The new system, developed by engineers at ZF Mathers LLC for vessels with electronic engines and solenoid gears, will be available for delivery in April. Plug-in connections and an external keypad setup simplify processes for installing and configuring the controls. Built-in features include an LED troubleshooting display, synchronization and docking/trolling (available as a shift-only or shift-and-speed option). The software which makes CruiseCommand work is packed into a watertight, pluggable enclosure which measures just 8.8 x 10.5 x 2.5-in. (22.3 x 26.6 x 6.1cm), reducing space requirements.
Meucci Promoted to Sales Manager ZF Marine Electronics
ZF Marine Electronics has promoted Jim Meucci to Sales Manager. Meucci started with Mathers Controls over 25 years ago, and most recently held the position of Regional Sales Manager at ZF Marine Electronics headquarters in Mukilteo, Wash. In his new position, Meucci has overall sales responsibility for ZF Marine Electronics' controls systems business in the North America region. ZF Marine Electronics LLC, (formerly ZF Mathers LLC) supplies both electronic and pneumatic vessel control systems. Product brands for the controls group include ClearCommand, MiniCommand, MicroCommander, SkiCommand and SmartCommand.
