New manufacturing concept will increase capacity and flexibility
The Wärtsilä investment project, which started last year at the Delivery Centre Trieste in Italy, is now complete. Wärtsilä has invested EUR 18 million in a modern manufacturing concept to deliver higher quality, raise efficiency and to increase capacity for engine assembly and testing in Trieste, Italy.
The new engine production facilities and new Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy Training Centre were inaugurated today in Trieste, in the presence of the Finnish ambassador in Italy, Pauli Mäkelä, Wärtsilä’s President & CEO, Ole Johansson, and Wärtsilä management.
The investment will raise the capacity of Delivery Centre Trieste to a level that meets future market requirements and flexibility needs and that supports the growth targets. “The new facilities will allow us to increase delivery volumes and obtain considerably higher quality and delivery accuracy. This in turn will be reflected in a more competitive cost structure," says Mr Sergio Razeto, Vice President, Delivery Centre Trieste & President of Wärtsilä Italia.
“The competitiveness of European industry requires us to develop our manufacturing processes to improve efficiency and flexibility. An essential aspect of the supply chain is a close co-operation with our partners. This is also a logistical challenge. The aim of our investment was to design a factory that meets these challenges while also improving customer service,” says Mr Ole Johansson, President & CEO of Wärtsilä Corporation.
Further investments in Trieste
Wärtsilä is making further investments in the Delivery Centre Trieste in order to meet demand and optimize production and subcontracting activities. At the same time the investments ensure that production technology remains up to date.
A new portal machining centre (PMC) is being planned in order to increase the production volume of engine blocks. There will also be a new technology building with an auditorium in Trieste. The value of these investments is EUR 15 million. The PMC and technology building will be taken into use next year.
Wärtsilä has already forecast that the total value of investments world wide in 2007 will be approximately EUR 200 million. The Trieste investments are included in this estimate.
Italian operations
The Italian operations of Wärtsilä currently employ about 1 380 people, located in Trieste and in the service centres of the more important Italian ports. This year Wärtsilä has increased the workforce in Italy by over 100 people.
In Trieste, Wärtsilä today has suitable facilities able to host several types of 4-stroke medium- and large-sized engines with a power range from 1.7 MW to roughly 25 MW. Its product portfolio currently lists the following Wärtsilä engines: 26, 38, 46, 46F, 50DF and 64.
For further information, please call Mr Sergio Razeto, Vice President, Delivery Centre Trieste and President, Wärtsilä Italia, tel. +39 356 412 516.
Notes to the editor:
Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is achieved by the dedication of more than 15,000 professionals manning 130 Wärtsilä locations in close to 70 countries around the world.
