Fast Ferry Demand for Tailor-made Seating

To better address the seating needs of today's fast ferry and passenger ship industry, Modell-Møbler is evolving into a more focused manufacturer, targeting tailor-made solutions rather than standard products. "Receiving up to three or more requests for seating projects each day, we see an increasing market trend for ship-specific seating solutions, demanding high engineering and design standards," said Jan Carsten Thomassen, managing director, Modell-Møbler. "Flexibility and customer-oriented, tailor-made solutions are an integral part of our value chain."

During the past 24 months, Modell-Møbler has delivered over 20,000 products including a wide variety of passenger seats, pullmans, combi sofas and beds to the fast ferry, passenger and cruise ship markets. Its most recent project to J/F Alkioni, a Mark II wave piercing catamaran passenger/car ferry, included the delivery of 884 chairs in a time frame of 8 – 10 weeks. The ship was employed by the UK Ministry of Defence to extract British nationals from Lebanon during attacks from Israel in July and August earlier this year. According to Thomassen, today's ship owner is more involved in the decision-process than ever before, examining very closely product certification, design and delivery. Complying with DNV Type Approval, Modell-Møbler products are tested extensively to verify reliable performance in the marine and offshore environments.

Modell-Møbler recently appointed Frank Robertsen as marketing director. Previously with interior system supplier NORAC, Robertsen will lead and facilitate Modell-Møbler's strategic planning process in regard to market dynamics for the core business. "Modell-Møbler is a niche maritime furniture supplier able to provide custom products in short delivery timeframes. I look forward to participating in product development and concentrating on expanding international and regional sales," says Robertsen.