Copenhagen: The week after MacGREGOR won a EUR15m Korean order for RoRo equipment, new president Olli Isotalo tells Seatrade that the company is eyeing greater overseas representation, particularly in Asia.
In January, marine cargo handling solutions provider MacGREGOR is to move its headquarters from Copenhagen to the group hq of parent Cargotec in Helsinki, Isotalo explains, to be alongside sister companies Hiab (loading systems) and the much larger Kalmar (cranes/container handling equipment). Better use of intra-group synergies should aid areas such as overseas representation, he adds, since Kalmar currently has a presence in around 50 countries - including many in Asia due to the sharply escalating container traffic of recent years - while MacGREGOR is represented in only about half that number.
Isotalo, who took over as president this summer, previously headed up the Bromma (container spreader) unit within Kalmar, meaning he has first-hand experience of Asia's booming port business. MacGREGOR itself already uses partner companies in China and other Asian countries to manufacture its equipment.
Meanwhile, last week's RoRo equipment order came from Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) for four 8,000-unit Pure Car and Truck Carriers - the largest of their kind in the world today - it is building at Okpo yard for client Wallenius. The order consists of 95,000 sq mtr of complete car decks, 56 ramps and 16 doors, with deliveries slated by end-2008. [24/11/06]
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