Finnish Power For Swedish Ships
Göteborg´s port, the largest in the Nordic, is the perfect place for leading Finnish company Wärtsilä to apply their skills and innovations within Ship Power. To find out a little more Tord Johnsson, responsible for marketing communication at Wärtsilä Sweden AB answered some questions.
What exactly is your business? “Wärtsilä is the Ship Power Supplier for builders, owners and operators of vessels and offshore installations. Our own global service network takes complete care of customers´ ship machinery at every lifecycle stage. Wärtsilä provides power plants for base load, intermediate, peaking, standby and combined heat and power applications as well as solutions for oil pumping." Why Göteborg? “Wärtsilä Diesel AB was established in Göteborg since the purchase of Lindholmen motor in 1986, with a facility to serve our customers within ship power who use our engines at sea."In November 2004 Wärtsilä Sweden AB had a Grand Opening in their new premises on Älvstranden which carries a legacy, as it was Götaverkens Motors old factory. This meant that more than 100 people moved their workplace from Trollhättan to Göteborg. With the daughter company Ciserv AB, Wärtsilä employs more than 200 people at Norra Älvstranden.
Why did Wärtsilä Sweden want to concentrate their activities to Göteborg and Norra Älvstranden?
“It was the proximity to builders, owners and operators of vessels, all of which are our customer and Göteborg is the major port in Nordic. The location at Norra Älvstranden, close to Götaverken/Cityvarvet in the premises of an old engine manufacturer carries the tradition of the activities done in this area for long time and Wärtsilä is glad to carry on this tradition. Concentration to one place of operation in Sweden."
What's unique regarding your business?
“The unique feature is that we can provide total solutions and services for ship machinery in Göteborg."
Is there much of a culture shock for staff you might have moved from your home country?
“Within our Corporation it is quite common to work abroad for longer and shorter periods and the people from Finland who worked in Sweden have adapted well."
Has it all been plain sailing in setting up in Sweden?
“Wärtsilä OY has a long history in Sweden, starting with the purchase of NOHAB DIESEL from BOFORS-NOHAB in 1978 with production facilities in Trollhättan. In late 1990´s the production was closed in Trollhättan which led to a concentration of all activities to Göteborg in 2004."
If you were doing things again would you do anything different?
“There is of course always things that can be done differently when you have the answers at hand, but the main decision to move all activities to Göteborg would be the same."
What will be the basis of your success?
“That we can utilize of all the industrial and marine competence that exists in the Göteborg region. Furthermore we have a high knowledge and ability within the company and we want our employees to feel that they are working in an attractive and interesting company."
Any tips for other companies relocating here?
“Keep a close connection with the owner of the establishment. Norra Älvstranden Utvecklings AB have been most open and easy to deal with."
How is your company adjusting?
“We have adjusted well and the personnel handled the move from Trollhättan in a fantastic way and the most important thing was that our customers hardly noticed the move."
Recent Developments?
“As an example we can take our partnership with Volvo Penta to distribute their engines through our worldwide sales organization."
Final comments?
“We believe that the move of all activities to Norra Älvstranden and Göteborg will help us to grow.
