Hägglunds Drives will open a centre of expertise in marine applications in Arendal, Norway. At the same time, the company will start manufacturing marine pump units in Wakefield, UK. These are key initiatives towards the company’s planned expansion in the marine segment.
The centre of expertise will be located in Arendal, an area with an existing cluster of marine companies. Many decisions regarding new construction and upgrading of ships and platforms are made here. Arendal also has a university that offers training in Hägglunds Drives’ technology areas, providing an excellent recruitment base. Hägglunds has purchased premises and commenced recruitment procedures. The centre will support the company’s global sales organisation, develop its marine expertise and improve customer service. At the same time, Hägglunds Drives will begin its own production of marine pump units in Wakefield, UK.
These two initiatives will enable Hägglunds Drives to take on more, larger orders and offer customers one-stop-shop solutions.
“A rise in global trade and increased energy production is leading to increased demand for our products. What’s more, a lot of our marine equipment is outmoded and needs upgrading. Another demand-raising factor is that winches are becoming larger and larger. With our newly developed product range, we can offer the perfect drive systems for larger winches – so this initiative will make us an even better partner for winch manufacturers,” says Lars Göran Söderlund, business area manager at Hägglunds Drives.