Products & services

Danfoss to acquire Vacon

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 12 September 2014 12 September 2014

Danfoss announces a public tender offer for all shares of the Finnish AC drives company Vacon. Vacon shareholders are being offered a cash consideration of EUR 34 for each share in Vacon representing an aggregate equity purchase price of approximately EUR 1,038 million.

“After a careful examination of Danfoss’ offer, the Board of Directors of Vacon has unanimously decided to recommend that the shareholders accept it. Vacon is truly one of the great industrial success stories, even globally speaking. By joining forces, the two companies will create a Nordic-based global player – a new AC drives business with the clear ambition to build a leading position in the AC drives market,” says Panu Routila, Chairman of the Board at Vacon.

The background for Danfoss’ offer is the company’s strategic focus on creating profitable growth. Vacon is a good match to achieve this ambition. Today, both Danfoss Power Electronics and Vacon are significant players in the AC drives business, and together they will gain an even stronger market position.

“We have a clear strategic ambition to be one of the absolute top players in the businesses where we operate. Vacon is a very strong and innovative player and by creating this new drives business we can ensure a strong long-term growth trajectory,” says Niels B. Christiansen, CEO at Danfoss.

Vacon is a global company with exceptional R&D, production, and supply chain competences in China, Finland, India, Italy, and the United States, and a highly skilled sales and service organization in 31 countries. The company plays a crucial role in building a new AC drives business to challenge the top players in the world. Finland, as a hotspot in the global AC drives business, plays an especially crucial role and Danfoss will be positioning Finland as one of its future centers of excellence along with the other power electronics centers worldwide.

“I believe that customers will benefit significantly from the two companies joining forces as they will bring even more competitive, innovative, and attractive AC drives to the market. Today, Vacon is stronger than ever, and it has a great future ahead together with Danfoss,” says Vacon’s President and CEO, Vesa Laisi.

The offer is subject to e.g. approval by relevant authorities, such as competition authorities, and Danfoss gaining control of more than 90 percent of the Vacon shares.

Wärtsilä introduces high efficiency Controllable Pitch Propeller system

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 11 September 2014 11 September 2014

At the SMM exhibition and conference in Hamburg, Germany, Wärtsilä is introducing its latest development of large Controllable Pitch (CP) Propellers, based on the previously known E-hub type. The new CP propeller system offers greater efficiency and a reduced environmental impact. This new system is presented at the Wärtsilä stand in Hall A4, Booth 305 at the SMM conference and exhibition in Hamburg, Germany.

The new Wärtsilä CP propeller system addresses the demands of medium and large size vessel owners, and is particularly applicable for special vessels that are equipped with dynamic positioning capabilities, as well as vessels having ice notation. Among the benefits cited are an increased load capability, the high propulsive efficiency, the reduced fuel consumption that this efficiency brings to the vessel, excellent reliability, and a reduced environmental footprint.

The design follows the Systems Engineering approach with integration of the propeller and the hub with modern hydraulics and propulsion controls. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) calculations are used to analyse, not only the propeller performance but most importantly also, the interaction between the propeller and hull. This provides extremely accurate information, based on detailed 3-d geometry, for achieving design and parametric optimization. This state-of-the-art design protocol optimizes the vessel's overall propulsive efficiency. Significant fuel savings are possible, and with each Wärtsilä CP propeller being individually customised to meet specific application requirements, the vessel's EEDI/EEOI is improved. This in turn leads to reduced exhaust emissions.

The innovative hub design features forced lubrication and allows the use of environmentally acceptable lubricants (EAL), as required for propulsors operating in US inland and coastal waters. The propeller system is prepared so as to meet the US EPA's VGP 2013 regulatory requirements. The new design allows for compatible hydraulics and the flushing of lubrication oil. "The WCP propeller system is the result of the work of highly experienced design engineers in our European R&D headquarters having access to the very latest and most sophisticated software and analysis tools. Furthermore, our long history and experience in designing propulsion systems gives us extensive product knowledge, having developed design tools based on a large number of model testing, full-scale measurements and research activities. Co-operation with well known research institutes and universities worldwide ensures our prime position when it comes to propulsion systems and products," says Mr Wim Knoester, Director, Propulsion Sales, Wärtsilä Ship Power.

This latest Wärtsilä CP propeller development facilitates easy integration with Wärtsilä's new propulsion control systems and bridge architecture.

Heineken launches Brewlock – a new draught technology

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 01 September 2014 01 September 2014

HEINEKEN Global Duty Free announces the launch of BrewLock, a new 100% recyclable draught innovation that ensures a consistent and outstanding taste experience, by delivering draught beer at brewery quality to consumers onboard cruise lines and ferries.

BrewLock is a revolutionary new draught technology developed by HEINEKEN to let consumers enjoy their draught beer at brewery quality, at significantly reduced logistical and handling complexity.

While standard keg systems require additional gas and regulator systems to pull beer to the tap, the BrewLock system uses a multi layered keg that relies on normal atmospheric air to squeeze the inner wall and push the beer through to the faucet. This way the system is more easy to operate and protects the beer from outside influences, leaving it untouched, ensuring the beer stays at brewery quality.

The beer in the inner lining is completely sealed in, so the consumer receives a fresh tasting, perfectly carbonated beer. As a result, the consumer experience is a perfect pour every time and one that is refreshing to the last drop.

Sean McNaughten, Manager, Global Duty Free & Travel Retail, HEINEKEN explains: “We’ve been working intensively to perfect a draught beer solution for our ‘sailing’ customers in our shared objective to bring the perfect serve to consumers. Our investment in this pioneering technology is a real game changer for the industry and revolutionizes the way beer is brought to and enjoyed in the cruise and ferry sectors. As we always say the main reason for ordering a second beer is the quality of the first.”

Koos Vrijlandt, Global Manager Cruiselines for HEINEKEN Global Duty Free comments: “This is a one-way keg solution that brings environmental advancements: the PET keg and outer cardboard are 100% recyclable and also there is no return journey for the empty keg back to the brewery. This brings about efficiencies in the supply chain.” In comparison to steel kegs, BrewLock kegs are 25% lighter- and therefore safer and easier to handle, are horizontally stackable when not in use, and have a considerably smaller footprint in the cooler and storage.

The system is designed for optimal ease of use with quick keg change-over thanks to an EasyFit coupler making it simple for any trained staff member to change the keg in seconds with no mess.

Initially launched in June with Royal Caribbean International, the cruise line known for innovating vacations on land and sea, the 20L BrewLock keg will be available to other cruise and ferry operators from September, offering a breakthrough dispensing system, developed by HEINEKEN, to bring brewery-fresh beer to the consumer.

Royal Caribbean International’s Director of Beverage Operations Roseann Grippo adds: “Not only is the BrewLock system extremely easy to operate, it’s intuitive enough for our talented staff members to become quickly accustomed to and with no returns required the administrative burden is removed.

“We’ve had fantastic feedback from all our staff on the benefits of BrewLock. The flow from the tap is smooth and the foam produced adds to the flavour giving us a consistent quality for our guests to enjoy.”

Brands initially available for the BrewLock system are Heineken and Newcastle Brown Ale with new brands being added in 2015.

The cutting edge technology of Brewlock offers an outstanding taste for consumers, consistent quality with every pour, 100% recyclability and cost savings.

Wärtsilä Yuchai medium speed engine factory comes on stream

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 02 September 2014 02 September 2014

Wärtsilä Yuchai Engine Co., Ltd, a joint venture between Wärtsilä and Yuchai Marine Power Co., Ltd., has inaugurated its new factory in Doumen District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China.

The new factory covers a total area of 266,700 square meters and will be used for the assembly and testing of Wärtsilä 20, Wärtsilä 26 and Wärtsilä 32 medium speed engines. Medium speed emgines are used in passenger vessels, among others.

The assembly lines and test beds are in partial operation already, and the plant is expected to be in full production before the end of 2016. Wärtsilä and Yuchai Marine Power Co. Ltd. (YCMP), a subsidiary of Guangxi Yuchai Group, established the 50/50 joint venture in May 2013.

The joint venture, for which the value of Wärtsilä's investment was approximately €17 million, will strengthen Wärtsilä's competitiveness in the Asian markets and increase its focus on the offshore and special segments in China, the world's largest shipbuilding country.

GreenSteam to promote GreenSteamOptimizer at SMM in Hamburg

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 27 August 2014 27 August 2014

GreenSteam, the Danish technology company, says it will promote is GreenSteamOptimizer at the SMM event in Hsamburg next month. "Making good decisions on-board based on sound and accurate data is the basis for efficient operation of any vessel. GreenSteam Optimizer is our on-board decision support system that is an adaptive, data-driven solution, helping the Master to make the right decisions," the company said in a statement.

Ship owners are now facing their biggest industry challenge ever, with both fuel costs and legislative efficiency targets. Achieving the absolute maximum fuel efficiency for a vessel means operating at the most efficient speed using as little fuel as possible. The optimal settings and parameters such as trim, draft are a vital in setting up the vessel, and depend on a range of conditions such as load, waves, wind, water depth, and many other factors. By continually optimizing the trim and draft of the vessel based on data collected onboard the vessel, propulsion resistance is minimized, saving fuel.

The GreenSteam Optimizer is compact and intuitive, simple to use, and fitting the unit to existing vessels is simple and straightforward requiring no major modification of the ship. Importantly, installation takes less than a day if the cabling has been prepared. The system consists of 2 small GreenSteam radars installed in the bridge wings, and touch screen console which connects to wind and flow meter sensors, trim and the radars.

This data can be made available to users in various convenient ways, allowing the customer to carry out high-quality analyses of the vessel. The collected data is of a much higher frequency and quality than for example what is obtained through so-called ‘noon reporting’.

“We are very excited about showing off our systems at SMM in September, and looking forward to the opportunity to meet people at our stand at theDanish Pavilion Hall B1. EG,” says Daniel J. Jacobsen CEO & Co-founder of GreenSteam.