Waertsilae and partners drive on

摘要

Apropensity for selective collaboration has long been a Waertsilae trait, and that characteristic has come to the fore in the business strategy pursued by the Finnish propulsion and power systems group during 2007. Initiatives that have seen the creation of new joint production companies, together with the extension and revitalisation of the licensing network, have been implemented in the interests of Waertsilae's long-term standing in the Asian markets. The European Commission's competition authorities recently cleared the way to a major new joint venture involving Waertsilae, China Shipbuilding Industry Co (CS1C), and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MM), for the manufacture of large, low-speed marine engines in China. Waertsilae will have a 27% stake in the CSIC-managed enterprise, to be styled Qingdao Qiyao Waertsilae MHI Linshan Marine Diesel Co (QMD), which will produce both Waertsilae and Mitsubishi UE engines. The enterprise is to be located at the Qingdao Haixiwan shipbuilding and shiprepair base in Shangdon province, and production is expected to start during the fourth quarter of 2008.