ahead A MAGAZINE FROM HARDING — 2/2016
harding acquired by palfinger
a new total supplier emerges “Palfinger is a perfect match for Harding. Together we will be able to a unique market position as the first total supplier that can takedeliver all deck equipment to the shipping and offshore markets”, says Harding CEO Styrk Bekkenes after Palfinger Group’s recent acquisition.
FF 1200 TO SAFEGUARD CULZEAN HARDING'S GLOBAL EXPANSIONS
www.harding.no
ahead WELCOME TO THE HARDING MAGAZINE
dear friends, These sure are exciting days throughout Harding at the moment. Since the announcement of Palfinger as the company’s new owner, there has been nothing but positive feedback. Within our two organisations, we see this as truly exciting news and we really look forward to seizing the new opportunities open to us. We are also very happy to see that our customers are positive about this merger. The new joint company is sure to be a leader in this industry, and our product range and service capabilities will be second to none. Read more about the merger and see what Herbert Ortner, CEO of the Palfinger Group, and Styrk Bekkenes, CEO of Harding, have to say on page 4. As Harding is now starting a new chapter in its history, we are also very proud to inform you about a prestigious contract that has recently been awarded: Maersk’s Culzean field will be added to the long line of projects proudly equipped with our flagship lifeboat, the FF 1200, once the field starts producing in 2019. Another of the Harding team’s proud accomplishments is our delivery to the
Best Regards,
Bjørn Sturle Hillestad Global Sales & Marketing Director
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McDermott vessel DLV 2000, built at the Keppel Singmarine Shipyard in Singapore. In total six lifeboats and three rescue boats, all with associated davits, were successfully delivered and installed well ahead of the naming ceremony in Singapore in April. Being available to our customers has always been a key goal for Harding and we are proud to present two new offices on our global map. Harding UK has been searching for a long time for the right location in the Aberdeen area to open up an office and workshop, and in May we finally did it. This is sure to add value for all our UK clients. South Korea with all its shipbuilding activities is naturally of the utmost importance to Harding, and we are happy to finally open a service station here as well. Read more about our new openings, as well as our developments in existing locations, on pages 8 to 13. Enjoy your reading, and I look forward to perhaps seeing you at one of our exhibitions taking place later this year!
CO N T E N TS
4 Palfinger + Harding = True
Photo: Eni Norge/News On Request
"With Palfinger we now get an industrial owner with long-term ambitions. Considering the current market situation, where at least the next two years will be tough for the whole industry, such an ownership is very positive for Harding", says Harding CEO Styrk Bekkenes.
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FF 1200 to safeguard Culzean "We have worked hard to strengthen our position in today's difficult offshore market. Winning the Culzean project has been a key strategic goal in this process", says Harding's Global Sales and Marketing Director Bjørn Sturle Hillestad.
8 Global expansions To better support customers around the world, Harding is expanding and evolving its global presence. Read more about how the company invests for the future on pages 8 to 13. 14 Successful delivery to DLV 2000
15 MCB 1100 raises the bar 16 Exhibitions 2016
Three new “movie stars”
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Following a request from MSC Cruises, a team from Harding's global training department supported the cruise company with on-board filming for their new LSA instruction video.
17 All aboard!
18 A popular tradition
– extended by Harding
18 Trained by the pros 19 One of us: Sporty Inga 20 The Harding Attitude Award 22 New in Harding 24 The only way is up!
Photo: BA/Mats Myredal
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H A R D I N G A C Q U I R E D B Y PA L F I N G E R
Palfinger CEO Herbert Ortner (left) and Harding CEO Styrk Bekkenes.
“a perfect match”
>>
On 30 May, Harding Safety was acquired by the Palfinger Group, and the process of integrating the two companies is now underway. “Palfinger is a perfect match for Harding. Together we will be able to take a unique market position as the first total supplier that can deliver all deck equipment to the shipping and offshore markets”, says Harding CEO Styrk Bekkenes.
It was a proud and happy Bekkenes who announced the acquisition to Harding employees around the world in a broadcast from the public meeting held at Harding HQ on 30 May.
be able to serve our customers with a broader product offering than we can today. Secondly, we’ll also be able to service more than one type of equipment during the same service assignment”, says Bekkenes.
“Personally, I’m very enthusiastic about this acquisition. It opens up great new oppor tunities for the new combined company. Most importantly, we will now be able to take a unique market position in our industry. We will be the first supplier to cover all deck equipment to the shipping and offshore markets. In addition, our service offering will increase significantly”, said Bekkenes, flanked by representatives from the Palfinger Group and from the former Harding owner, Norwegian private equity fund Herkules.
And what makes Palfinger such an excellent owner for Harding?
Becoming a total supplier Both Bekkenes and Palfinger CEO Herbert Ortner described the two companies as a perfect match. “There’s hardly any overlap in our product and service offerings, and we can now take advantage of one another’s installed base”, Bekkenes said in his speech. How will the acquisition and merger benefit Harding customers? “First of all, by becoming a total supplier we’ll
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“We’ve enjoyed three years of fantastic owner ship by Herkules. To best support Harding, the private equity fund has often looked beyond the financial figures on the Excel sheets and done a great deal to understand our industry. With Palfinger we’re now getting an industrial owner with long-term ambitions. In view of the current market situation, where at least the next two years will be tough for the whole industry, such an ownership is very positive for Harding”.
Planning for the future The acquisition of Harding is the largest in the Palfinger Group’s history. When it was looking for a new partner to buy, Harding was a natural candidate due to the company’s leading position in the maritime lifesaving industry, according to Herbert Ortner. “I’m very impressed by the job done by both Harding’s management and employees, and
look forward to having them on our team”, said Ortner during his visit to Harding. Both companies are now awaiting final approval of the acquisition by the Norwegian and Austrian authorities. Simultaneously, the process of combining the companies has been initiated. “At this point, in mid-June, it’s too early to say exactly how the companies will be integrated, and what changes we’ll see in Harding. We aim to have a thorough plan for this ready by early August”, Bekkenes says to Ahead, adding that “business as usual” will still be the main focus during the integration process. What will happen to the Harding brand? “Palfinger and Harding are both strong brands, but it’s too early to state anything with certainty about the future of the Harding name. This will be an important topic when the new marketing strategy is being developed for the combined company. However, I believe the new company will probably want to sail under one flag, and it wouldn’t be unnatural if the name on this flag were Palfinger”, says Bekkenes.
For many years Palfinger has been one of the world’s leading manufacturers of innovative lifting solutions for use on commercial vehicles and in the maritime field.
The pillars of its corporate strategy comprise innovation and the further internationalisation as well as the growing flexibility of its products, services, and processes.
As a multinational group headquartered in Salzburg, the company, which has approximately 8,995 employees, generated total sales of approximately EUR 1,229.9 million in 2015.
Palfinger is regarded not only as the market leader but also as the technology leader in the global market for hydraulic loader cranes. Palfinger is always in close proximity to its customers due to its more than 5,000 sales and service centres located in over 130 countries across all continents.
The Palfinger Group has production and assembly facilities in Europe and North and South America, as well as in Asia.
Photo: Palfinger
Palfinger in brief
www.palfinger.com
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H A R D I N G M A I N TA I N S S T R O N G O F F S H O R E R U N
ff 1200 to safeguard culzean >>
Harding has extended its string of offshore successes with contracts to deliver lifeboats and davits to Maersk Oil UK’s Culzean offshore gas complex in the UK sector of the North Sea.
The Culzean win gives Harding a sweep of the latest big offshore contracts, including deliveries of lifeboats and davits to the Heerema heavy-lift semi-submersible crane vessel Sleipnir and the giant Johan Sverdrup field centre in the North Sea.
“We have our eyes and ears in Singapore, which allows us to respond quickly to openings and establish good contacts with the owner and the yard. Then we mobilise the technical team to tailor deliveries to the customer’s requirements”, Helvik says.
“We have worked hard to strengthen our position in today’s difficult offshore market. Winning the Culzean project has been a key strategic goal in this process”, says Harding’s Global Sales and Marketing Director Bjørn Sturle Hillestad.
Communication is king
One of the largest in recent years
He emphasises that good communications are key in winning good contracts.
Culzean is one of the largest gas discoveries of recent years in the UK North Sea, and the field centre will comprise a 12-slot wellhead platform (WHP) linked by bridges to a central processing facility (CPF) supported by a floating storage and offloading vessel (FSO), and an installation for utilities and living quarters (ULQ). Harding will deliver a total of four FF 1200 lifeboats with LA 1200 SU davits, four systems to the ULQ and one to the WHP. The davits are scheduled for delivery by March 2017, with the lifeboats to follow in December of the same year. The Culzean offshore gas complex will be constructed for owner Maersk Oil UK by Sembcorp Marine subsidiary SMOE PteLtd of Singapore. Harding is still in the bid phase for the FSO lifeboat contract. “The competition isn’t getting any easier, so we’re very happy and proud to have won these latest contracts”, reports Odd Åge Helvik, Harding's NCS Director/Regional Sales Director.
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He attributes Harding’s success to a combination of high quality, a strong local presence, and central expertise.
HARDING MAGAZINE
“Our first job is to earn the customer’s confidence, to build their trust in Harding quality, and we have plenty of good references to help us there. Then we listen. We learn about their concerns and preferences, and help them to understand that we’re committed to delivering exactly what they need, not just a standard product line”, Helvik says. Hillestad also highlights the value of a true team effort. “No one person is responsible for our success. We are a global team, and we believe the customers see the advantage of this”, he says. In a tough market, though, continued success is never guaranteed. “We’re bucking the current right now”, Helvik acknowledges. “We realise that the only way to maintain success is to keep delivering quality and keep giving the customer what they really want”.
>>
“We realise that the only way to maintain
Block 22/25a
success is to keep delivering quality and keep giving the customer what they really want.“ – Odd Åge Helvik, NCS Director / Regional Sales Director.
Culzean is a high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) gas field located in Block 22/25a (License P111) of the UK continental shelf (UKCS), around 145 miles east of Aberdeen at a water depth of approximately 90 m.
Facts FF 1200 The FF 1200 is a 70-person freefall lifeboat designed to meet the most stringent standards in the industry. With just over 100 delivered, it is among the most popular in the industry. The LA 1200 SU is a skid-launch davit specially designed for the FF 1200.
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H A R D I N G ’ S G L O B A L E X PA N S I O N S
THE WORLD OF HA RDING
investing for the future >>
“By expanding and investing even when the market has a downturn, we hope that our customers will see that we’re in it for the long run”, says Harding CEO Styrk Bekkenes.
On the following pages you can read about how Harding is expanding and evolving its global presence. CEO Styrk Bekkenes shares a few thoughts on the strategy behind this. “Even though it’s a difficult market, with low oil prices and less willingness to invest, it is vital that we continue building the company through new sales-and-service offices that can support our customers locally. Being closer to the customer allows us to respond and to deliver products and services more quickly and cost effectively. This strengthens our competitiveness, so the strategy of establishing our presence in major ports and hubs around the world will continue”, says Bekkenes. “By expanding and investing even when the market has a downturn, we hope that our customers will see that Harding is in it for the long run. We’re thinking long term. Regardless of the twists and turns of the market, we will be there for our customers when they need us”.
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Styrk Bekkenes, Harding CEO.
BRAZIL
harding’s new service station inaugurated >> With the opening of a service station in Macae, the oil and gas capital of Brazil, Harding aims to further its Brazilian success.
“Our new workshop comprises an area of 3,000 square metres equipped with a painting booth, a GRP working area, a mezzanine for spares, an outstanding 200-square-metre office, and everything else our service team needs to get their jobs done according to Harding’s quality standard”, says Raphael Maciel.
Rapid growth Harding’s Regional Director for South America is proud of the latest addition to the company’s Brazilian expansion – not only of the facility itself, but also of what it represents. “Back in 2011 when Schat-Harding and Noreq were just starting out in Brazil, with a small office in Niteroi and another in Rio, it was hard to foresee the point we’ve now reached as a company. Harding has grown fast, despite the oil, macro-economic, and political crises in Brazil. Since this point in 2013 we’ve tripled our revenues, tripled our staff, and dramatically improved our margins”, says Marciel.
years ago to shift our main focus from delivering new equipment to being a provider of high quality services, maintenance, and refurbishments. We also chose to be the first player in our industry to be established in Macae, the oil and gas capital of Brazil. With our new station up and running, Harding is now perfectly positioned to support our customers in meeting their current needs – which are mainly related to lifetime extensions and preventative maintenance on existing equipment”, Maciel says. In addition to the new service station in Macae, Harding also has a commercial office in Torre do Rio Sul, Rio de Janeiro. In total, Harding employs 30 people in Brazil.
Our service engineers at work in Brazil.
Attitude and strategic analysis He highlights having the right people with the right attitude – combined with careful market analysis, strategic planning, and financial discipline – as the key elements of this success. “Based on periodic studies of the market, we decided almost two
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H A R D I N G ’ S G L O B A L E X PA N S I O N S
UK
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making a big impact in aberdeen “New offices, new services, new management, new prices” – Harding has set up shop in the UK’s oil capital, with plenty that’s new to offer existing and new customers.
After months of planning and talking to customers, Harding UK has opened a modern new office and service centre close to the harbour area in Aberdeen.
Still a strong market
“We’ve listened to the marketplace and responded to the positive feedback and advice gathered over the last 12 months. We’re now able to offer the full range of services at a local level – from the sale of new equipment to inspections, maintenance, and special projects such as re-hookings and refurbishments”, explains Peter Marshall, Managing Director of Harding UK.
“Of course, the global oil and gas economy has had an effect, but the legal requirements for regular inspections and maintenance in harsh environments mean that there’s still strong demand for the service and maintenance of critical life-saving equipment”, he says. The new Aberdeen office, which has a small workshop facility, also has support from Harding’s UK Head Office in Gosport, where a further 15 service engineers are based together with finance, sales, and technical support. In addition, a new refurbishment facility has opened recently in Gosport to
Quicker responses, less delay Getting closer to customers, primarily in the offshore segment, has been the main driver for the new set-up. “Aberdeen customers will now experience quicker on-site responses and faster, more personal face-to-face communications and project management. With our new, highly experienced engineers, we also have greater technical expertise available locally. In essence, Aberdeen is now a standalone unit performing according to Harding’s global standards. For Aberdeen customers with global operations, the office will function as a single point of contact – managing service and project assignments for clients from start to finish, around the world via our global office network”, says Marshall.
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Although the UK oil and gas capital has been hit hard by the global oil price slump, Marshall still describes the market as strong – with plenty of opportunities.
Facts: Harding UK >> HQ and service station in Gosport,
close to Portsmouth, Southern England >> Sales and service office in Aberdeen, Scotland >> 38 employees in total
NORTH EAST ASIA
>>
new service station in south korea With its new service station on Geoje Island, near the city of Busan, Harding has established a local presence in one of the largest ship-building countries in the world.
“We want to be where our customers are. Our new service station brings us closer to many customers in South Korea and North East Asia”, says Chang-Hae Chan, Harding’s Regional Director for North East Asia. Located between Samsung Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, the new station provides quick access to two of the biggest ship-building yards in the area. Two major Hyundai yards in the region are only a few hours’ drive away. “Having a local presence in South Korea means that the customer can contact us directly instead of via another party. They can also speak to Harding in the same language and within the same time zone, which makes communication even easier. This station means that local support is readily available for shipyard customers who require services like project commissioning or have questions regarding newly delivered equipment. To ship owners, we also offer annual service, repair, refurbishment, and re-hooking of equipment aboard operating vessels”, Chan elaborates.
“Being highly skilled, experienced, and service-minded, our employees are the key feature of our South Korean operations”, says Chan. South Korea is by no means new territory for Harding. The company has served this market for quite a while through sales agent GIN-A and service partner BNS. “GIN-A continues to be our sales agent in South Korea, but with the opening of our own service station we have ended the agreement with BNS”, Chan explains. He adds that the South Korean operations are also supported by the company’s regional hub in Shanghai.
Busy days in the new workshop.
Harding’s Geoje facility is equipped with both a workshop and offices, and serves as a base for two service engineers, one adminis trative as sis tant , and the operations manager.
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H A R D I N G ’ S G L O B A L E X PA N S I O N S
CZECH
maritime design and service – directly from the heart of europe
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Davit production in Slany, in the Czech Republic, is history. But the Harding name lives on with the establishment of a new combined service station and design office.
When Harding sold the old davit factory in Slany in 2015, the company decided to create a new set-up comprising a pool of service engineers and a new design office. This new branch is manned by 15 employees from Harding’s former Czech company, who share their new facility in “downtown” Slany with a small warehouse, a workshop, and newly restored offices. “The service station consists of six service engineers and a service manager. The competence of our Czech service engineers is a great asset for us when servicing customers in both Europe and the rest of the world. Although the new service station lies in the heart of Europe, far from the sea, it’s located only 25 minutes from Prague’s international airport. This makes it very convenient for the service engineers to travel globally”, says Christopher Nysted Sørensen, Regional Director Europe. The design office – contributing both lifeboat and davit designs – is part of Harding’s global technical team and consist of six engineers led by an engineering manager. They share their workspace with one of Harding’s ERP implementation co-ordinators. The new Czech branch of Harding is a subsidiary of Harding Safety Netherlands.
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Prototype testing.
H A R D I N G ’ S G L O B A L E X PA N S I O N S
factory expansion in poland >>
New addition removes bottleneck and increases testing capacity for Harding’s davits and cranes.
Soon the new 1,366-square-metre addition to Harding’s production facility for davits and cranes in Solec Kujawski will be up and running. The main features of the new testing area will be two test stations and a 20-tonne gantry crane. “The main objective of the investment is to raise our testing capacity, which has been a production bottleneck since 2012. Not only will the expansion substantially improve our workflow and quality of work, but above all it will be of great benefit and added value to Harding customers”, says Paulina Szplitt, Managing Director of Harding Poland.
Designed for safety Safety has been a keyword for the design of the factory expansion. “The testing area has been designed to provide the maximum level of safety for our employees, as well as for Harding customers and visitors witnessing factory acceptance tests. The design of the testing hall and its solutions is based on the knowledge and experience of our employees, who have contributed greatly through our Risk Assessment Analysis”, Szplitt explains. Celebrating its fourth anniversary this year, Harding Poland can look back proudly on having produced davits and cranes for customers all over the world. To keep up with increased demand, the factory staff has grown from a mere nine to today’s 83 employees. “It’s been a fantastic journey and we’re looking forward to seeing what the future will bring”, says Szplitt.
Major deliveries Due to a strong focus on project management, the major construction work has barely had any impact on current production. In recent months, several major davit shipments have left the factory.
of more than a hundred years, Harding Poland has successfully delivered two massive NPD 11300 davits. The Norwegian Fjellstrand shipyard, which is located across the fjord, to the north of Harding’s HQ, was yet another recipient of two NPD 11300 davits this spring”, says Kamil Kościelski, Supply Chain Manager of Harding Poland. “All these deliveries represent important milestones at a time when the market situation is tough”, adds Kościelski.
Fewer orders, more prototype testing How has the downturn in the oil and gas industry affected Harding Poland? “As is the case with the rest of the offshore industry, it has of course had an impact on us as a production entity. We’ve experienced a drop in the number of orders compared to previous years. In times like these, however, seeking new opportunities and trying to meet customer expectations is our priority. This has resulted in the development and testing of prototypes, bringing forth new and innovative solutions that fit the market demand and meet our customers’ requirements even better”, Szplitt says, adding: “In a period of troubled waters we’ve truly seen the importance of teamwork and having people with the right mind-set.” “Each member of our Solec Kujawski team is focused on doing his or her best to deliver the highest quality products. From a long-term perspective, we believe that this attitude is what will keep Harding’s customers coming back and bring new business”, says Kościelski.
The new testing hall.
“Some of the major deliveries have included NRD 18200 davits, one of the largest rig davits manufactured by Harding so far, dedicated to the COSCO Shipyard Group’s yard in Dalian, China. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in South Korea, the second largest shipbuilder in the world, have received two NPD 18200 H davits as part of a total delivery of five Harding davits. To Construcciones Navales in Spain, a shipyard with a history
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MISSION COMPLETED
Harding's Project Manager Abdul Mannan Bin Ahmad (left) and Sales Manager Daniel Lee at the naming ceremony for DLV 2000.
successful delivery to
dlv 2000
>>
With bright orange Harding lifeboats as shipside focal pieces, the American multinational engineering, procurement, construction, and installation company McDermott International formally named its flagship the „Derrick Lay Vessel 2000” at the Keppel Singmarine Shipyard on 16 April.
The naming ceremony and official handover to McDermott not only marked a great milestone for the shipyard, it also symbolised a great achievement for Harding, which has proudly supplied the DLV 2000 with a large package of life-saving equipment. The package contained six sets of LBT 1090C lifeb oats with NPD 18200 davits and two sets of FRB 650 fast rescue boats with NPDS 3500 H davits. “The DLV 2000 has been a great project for us, one with a particularly strong focus on ensuring that our product quality corresponds to the strict quality requirements on the ship as a whole. Working as a team and collaborating closely with both the shipyard and owner, we’ve delivered according to expectations. As in all our projects, we will build on this experience to further improve our standards – and in the best interest of our customers”, says Harding Project Manager Abdul Mannan Bin Ahmad. Both Ahmad and Sales Manager Daniel Lee attended the naming ceremony in Singapore, together with around 400 McDermott and Keppel employees, customers, and guests.
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Derrick Lay Vessel 2000 >> Versatile combination heavy-lift and pipelay vessel with
2,200-tonne crane
>> Multiple cranes for construction, pipeline, and deepwater installation >> Deepwater S-Lay capability from 4.5 to 60 inches >> Pipelay operations in single or double joint configuration >> DP3 compliant dynamic positioning system
Harding’s delivery: >> Six sets of LBT 1090C lifeboats, each with a capacity of
106 persons + NPD 18200 totally enclosed davits
>> Three sets of FRB 650 fast-rescue boats with
NPDS 3500 H totally enclosed davits
ST RONGER AND MO RE POWERFUL
>>
mcb 1100 raises the bar Using the Norwegian standard for free-fall life boats as a guideline for the design, Harding‘s global technical team has developed a new lowering lifeboat for extra safety-conscious offshore customers.
“Today most conventional lowering lifeboats only have to comply with the minimum safety requirements laid down in the SOLAS convention. However, at Harding we find that more and more companies operating rigs and vessels on the Norwegian continental shelf want a higher level of security, including on their lowering lifeboats. As a solution for this customer group we’ve developed the MCB 1100”, says Global Technical Director Alf Eidsvik.
“We wanted the MCB1100 to stand out, so the design has evolved significantly compared to the traditional looks of lowering lifeboats. Some of the changes have come about as a result of the increased strength built into the structure, but it was also our goal to create a modern visual impression that inspires trust and confidence among those who will use the vessel”, Eidsvik says.
One of the few with a documented safety level
Harding has already secured two contracts for the MCB 1100, both with Norwegian end customers. Harding will deliver five lifeboats to Master Marine, to the company’s multip urpose accommodation unit Haven, and the Japan’s Kawasaki yard has ordered two MCB 1100s for a new offshore service vessel for Island Offshore. All seven lifeboats are to be delivered in autumn 2017.
The new vessel type, which is 11 metres long and has capacity for 111 people, offers increased strength in both hull and canopy. It is also equipped with a larger and more powerful motor. This enables the MCB 1100 to cope with greater forces during evacuation in harsh conditions, and with its greater engine power the vessel can more easily move to a safe distance from its parent vessel or rig in an emergency. “During the development process, we used the strict regulatory requirements for free-fall lifeboats on the Norwegian shelf that are stated in DNV-OS-E406 as our guideline. The MCB 1100 is designed to partially comply with these requirements, and through extensive calculations and analyses we know what waves and forces it can withstand. The result is not only a lowering lifeboat with security that exceeds the SOLAS standard, but also Harding being one the of few suppliers who can actually document the security level to our customers. This is quite unique in the industry, given that SOLAS sets few requirements for such documentation on lowering lifeboats”, Eidsvik says. The new lifesaver also resembles a modern free-fall lifeboat in appearance.
Contracts for seven vessels
“We’re obviously delighted to have landed these two first contracts. Although lowering lifeboats today do not require a higher safety level than SOLAS, we believe there will be a greater interest in the high-end market as our new product gets attention and customers see that there is a safer alternative to the standard solution”, Eidsvik says.
The MCB 1100 has capasity for 111 people.
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EXHIBITIONS
let‘s meet!
exhibitions 2016
Offshore Northern Seas, Stavanger
29 August – 1 September
Stand no. 5570 (hall 5)
SMM, Hamburg
6 – 9 September
Stand no. B5.426
19 – 21 October
Stand at the Norwegian Pavilon
7 – 10 November
Stand at the Norwegian Pavilion
Offshore Korea, Busan
Adipec, Abu Dhabi
List of exhibitions and conferences online: harding.no We look forward to seeing you soon!
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G L O B A L T R A I N I N G D E PA R T M E N T
lights, camera, action! >> During the winter, three new “movie stars” emerged in Harding’s global training department. Following a request from MSC Cruises – the market-leading cruise company in the Mediterranean, South Africa, and Brazil – Michel Vollebregt, Nico van Kouterik, and Jamie Swennes supported the cruise company with on-board filming for their new LSA instruction video. The footage included the launching of several types of Harding lifeboats, highlighting key equipment, preventive maintenance, and how to operate the equipment safely and efficiently. The trio also assisted MSC in setting up the training material before the cruise company finalised the in-company instruction video. “The task wasn’t just an easy walk in the park. All of the vessels concerned were on a tight schedule and the guys sometimes had to work overnight to finalise the content. All in all, it was a great team effort”, says Sergio Meekel, Harding’s Global Training Director. Meekel says that MSC is very pleased with Harding’s support in this special project. The project has resulted in not only a satisfied customer, but also valuable new video and still images which Harding can use in its own internal training material. “The new media footage is a valuable asset for our courses, which are conducted in our Global Training Centre in Schiedam, the Netherlands. Competence development is key in our organisation. Having a close relationship and collaborating with our customers not only gives us a good understanding of their requirements, it is also crucial to success in this mission”, says Meekel.
all aboard! Early in 2016, a convoy of trailers carrying eight Harding lifeboats made quite the impression at one of the many small ferry quays found in Western Norway that is home to Harding HQ and one of our production facilities. Taking up practically the entire waiting lane and nearly causing a traffic jam, the convoy was such an unusual sight that it even made the news in two local papers. The lifeboats were being transported from Harding’s factory in Ølve to the city of Bergen, where they were loaded onto ships and sent to their final destinations by sea. The smallest 40-person lifeboats went to customers in New Orleans in the US, and the larger 70-person versions travelled to Liberia.
(Photo: Tysnes)
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SAFETY TRAINING
1 7 M AY
Photo: BA/Mats Myredal
a popular tradition
– extended by harding
>>
For 169 years a prestigious lifeboat rowing competition has been a vital part of Bergen’s celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day. This year the rowers competed in two brand new boats moulded by Harding at our factory in nearby Ølve.
The two lifeboats are replicas of the original lifeboats of Bergen’s maritime pride and joy, the three-masted steel barque the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, which first set sail in 1914. The boats are named after the two armoured Eidsvold class ships of 1899 and 1900, the Norway and the Eidsvold. Both of these naval vessels participated in the fighting against the Germans on 9 April 1940. Eight teams signed up this year’s rowing competition. As always, the festive 17 May event gathered many spectators along the quayside of Bergen’s waterfront.
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trained by the pros Maritime cadets familiarised themselves with lifeboat, davit, and winch operations during their internships at Harding Singapore. During March, 24 cadets from Singapore Maritime Academy participated in two-day familiarisation programmes with Harding Singapore. The objective: preparing for a career at sea by learning about and training in lifeboat, davit, and winch operations. “These cadets will go up through the ranks from 3rd officer to captain upon completion of their course. When they go on their very first sailing expedition, scheduled for October, they will certainly have benefitted from our programme increasing their knowledge of lifeboats, davits, and winches”, says Mohamad Farid Bin Hameed, Technical Manager at Harding Singapore. The programme “curriculum” included a presentation of Harding lifeboats, davits, and winches, and lectures on regulations for servicing and maintaining LSA equipment, as well as practical lessons and training in GRP maintenance and the operation of winches and hooks. The cadets also got to know the inside of a lifeboat and the equipment found there. “Feedback from the cadets tells us that they truly enjoyed the programme and gained valuable knowledge and understanding. Singapore Maritime Academy is also happy with the programme. They would like to continue working with us on this programme and also introduce other programmes that can benefit their cadets”, says Hameed, adding that for Harding it is important to contribute and support efforts that benefit the development and safety level of the marine industry.
ONE OF US
Inga (right) with Harding colleague Rati Elisabeth Sæbø after finishing the half-marathon in Bergen.
>>
“a little activity goes a long way!” So far this year Inga Aarseth (50) has completed a 34 km cross-country skiing race, her first half-marathon, and now she’s thinking about taking on a full marathon. Still, it is the short, everyday physical activities she’s most passionate about.
Around Harding there are many fit and active people. NCS Sales Manager Inga Aarseth is definitely one of them. This winter the 50-year-old mother of four completed Haukelirennet, a 34 km crosscountry skiing race that took her 1,200 metres above sea level. In April she ran a half-marathon in Bergen.
everyday activities she’s really enthusiastic about: walking or cycling to work, taking the stairs, doing some squats beside the work desk. This enthusiasm is felt by her colleagues in Norway, to whom she sends weekly moti v ational emails with tips on easy activities and exercises that can get us out of the office chair and moving our limbs.
“I love to ski, so Haukelirennet was primarily about having a wonderful outdoor experience along with excellent colleagues. Participating in the Bergen City Marathon was an ambitious training goal I set myself in January, to have something to reach for when exercising. It’s proved to be a realistic goal”, says Aarseth, who teamed up with a couple of Harding colleagues at the starting line in Bergen.
“A little goes a long way, and by getting more active we improve both our physical and mental health, as well as our well-being. This I know from personal experience. I haven’t always been this active, but a few years ago I decided to get a grip on my own health and fitness level. Getting more active on a daily basis was my starting point”, says Aarseth.
Motivation by mail
Not too surprisingly, the sales manager is also the head and driving force of the 124-member-strong Harding Sports Team Norway. Each Wednesday she’s in charge when a bunch of colleagues meet up after work for an hour-long strength workout at a gymnasium near Harding HQ.
The half-marathon required serious prepa ration in the form of long runs in cold weather along the sometimes snowy and icy Norwegian roads. Although she happily put in the effort, long and strenous training is not her true passion. It’s the quick and easy
“We have a lot of fun together in Harding Sports Team Norway, whether we’re doing strength training, spinning, bowling, or going for a hike in the mountains. I would definitely encourage other Harding departments around the world to establish their own sports teams. They don’t have to be that ambitious. The main thing is to meet regularly for some physical activity, whether it’s taking a walk, going on a bike ride together, building strength, or any other activity that gets the heart pumping a little harder. In addition to improving our health, it’s pretty darn social”, says Aarseth with a big smile. The Harding Sports team Norway, ready for a strength workout.
Strengthens her colleagues
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harding attitude:
the winning factor >>
“Having the right attitude is what puts us ahead of the competition”, says Harding CEO Styrk Bekkenes.
Josh Lozano - GRP/Painting Manager (USA) November winner The jury and nominators say (excerpts): “The word ‘NO’ is not in this man’s vocabulary, whether dealing with a colleague or customers. He will do everything in his power to help. Due to his hard work towards this philosophy, not only has the GRP division repaired fibreglass damage to boats and helped them shine like new with his refinishing work, but they have truly become known as problem-solvers to customers around the world”.
On the next two pages you can meet the latest Harding Attitude Award winners from throughout the global organisation. CEO Styrk Bekkenes has these reflections on the importance of having the right mind-set: “Harding Attitude is all about going the extra mile for customers and co-workers, and this is truly our winning factor in the tough LSA industry. We can create amazing ad campaigns and spend millions on marketing, but without great employees showing the right attitude, it’s a waste of money”, he says. In addition to the many award nominees being suggested each month, the CEO highlights Harding Brazil as a great example of the Harding attitude. “In the Brazilian organisation we have many people with little or no previous experience from the LSA industry, but they have put their minds to learning the business and satisfying the customers, and this has led to fantastic growth, excellent results, and happy customers – all in a country that’s experiencing turmoil. In a speech to our Brazilian employees I said that they are probably the best example of how attitude is our most important attribute”, says Bekkenes.
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Trond Paulsen – Sales Director, Offshore and Merchant (NO) December winner The jury and nominators say (excerpts): “Trond is the perfect example of ONE Harding. He works closely with all Harding sales departments on a daily basis. He treats all his colleagues equally and with the deepest respect, whether they’re in Asia, Europe, or the Americas. Trond is the mentor that everyone dreams about. You can ask him any question and he can always give you a well-considered and detailed answer. His morning starts with follow-up on Team Singapore and China, then he continues with Europe and at the end of the day he turns into an American… He has a unique ability to put himself into the various cultures that he meets every day. He has that extra apparatus, and it’s always turned on! He’s a master at motivating the colleagues around him – worldwide.”
H A R D I N G AT T I T U D E AWA R D
and the winners are ...
Jonny Flatebø – Head of Group Finance & Business Performance (NO) January winner “Jonny is positive, polite, approachable, and extremely hard-working. Not only does he concentrate very hard and diligently to ensure that all Harding entities are following group guidelines, but through dialogue and analysis he also shows and demonstrates to entities why decisions sometimes made to the detriment of one entity benefit the group (e.g. transfer pricing, cost allocations, budget processes, reporting processes).”
Marcin Stefaniak – Production Manager (PL) March winner “Marcin is a very trustworthy worker with great knowledge and expertise. He has shown himself to be very professional within the working area he is responsible for, and he is highly competent in all aspects related to customer deliverance. If you are in contact with Marcin, you will always get an answer – and if he doesn’t have an answer then and there, you can fully trust that an answer will be forthcoming. Simply put, he is a great ambassador for our company! With his good attitude he shows that he is proud of being a part of the Harding family.”
Angela Lunn – Accountant (UK) February winner “Angela quite naturally has the Harding attitude. She cares very much about the company and about doing the very best job she can in every task she takes on. She is always prepared to offer assistance and support when needed, and does so with readiness and without complaint. She has a very sunny disposition and brightens the working environment with a ready smile and cheerful personality.”
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NEWCOMERS
new in harding >>
The Harding team continues to grow. Here you can meet some of our new faces.
Leif Ove Mikkelsen, Legal Counsel, Finance (Norway) Leif Ove has experience in both private and public jurisdiction, including several years with the Hordaland County Police. With the hiring of Leif, all managers will now have access to legal support, from contractual practice to international laws/regulations and business development, in respect of all segments of our business.
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Rahul Prasad, Sales Coordinator (UAE, Dubai)
Manuel Redaniel, Spare Parts Coordinator (UAE, Dubai)
Given Rahul’s more than five years of experience in sales, marketing, and business development in various industries, we are confident that he will add value to our operations.
Manuel has joined us as Spare Parts Coordinator. He is an electronics technology graduate with many years of experience in parts management and procurement in the marine industry.
As Sales Coordinator, his role focuses mainly on service sales. Rahul will be following up with customers on annual, five-yearly, and other refurbishment jobs.
The performance of Harding’s parts division shows a steady growth rate, and we will definitely gain from Manuel’s past experience.
Palaniappan Meenakshi Sundaram, Sales Coordinator (Singapore)
Palaniappan joined Harding Singapore’s sales team as Sales Coordinator in March. As a fresh graduate, this is his first job, and Palaniappan looks forward to learning and growing at Harding. Our new Sales Coordinator has a great amount of perseverance to apply to achieving his goals. He loves to travel, take photographs, play sports, and read. Before joining Harding, he did his national service as a platoon commander in the army.
Vitalijs Pilutins, Service Coordinator (Germany)
Patrick Riemann, Service Coordinator (Germany)
Vitalijs started working for Harding in February, and is responsible for coordinating all international and I/C services for German customers. Prior to joining Harding Germany, Vitalijs spent three years as Technical Supervisor for the servicing of fire-fighting and rescue equipment at Wildhagen Marine-Service. Prior to that he held several positions with the Garant Group in Riga, worked for Unitek SIA in Kazakhstan, and spent three years with our service partner AV Safety in Riga.
At the end of March, Harding Germany was happy to welcome Patrick on board. As Service Coordinator he is responsible for all local service projects, including workshop coordination and refurbishing projects.
Vitalijs combines huge experience in the marine service and life-saving industry with cross-cultural attitude. The 33-year-old knows several languages, is an approved ISO 9001 auditor, and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Vitalijs lives in Kiel with his family.
Patrick started his education with Fassmer, manufacturing davits at their Rechlin factory. Later he joined the service engineers team in Germany and soon developed into a commissioning specialist. Consequently he spent two years supervising davit production and commissioning in China, as well as in South Korea. He then moved to Florida, where he worked as Deck Equipment Manager and Senior Engineer. Patrick is 35 years old and lives in Itzehoe with his family.
Marcel Alexander (Alex) Schouten, Regional Sales Director America (Louisiana, US) Alex joined our North America office as Regional Sales Director in May 2016. Alex brings a wealth of experience in the marine industry based on a 14-year work history starting with Holland Marine Equipment and going up to his time at Palfinger Ned-Deck Marine BV.
from Sales Manager and Commercial Director to Acting Managing Director. Of particular note, our Sales Team in America were in competition with Alex in his previous jobs, and they were always impressed by his knowledge of markets, marine equipment, and customer relationships. In addition, Alex is very hands on, highly motivated, and very professional.
During those years, Alex demonstrated excellence in the positions he held, ranging
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VV ‘t Goy's C3 team.
the only way is up! >>
The Dutch national football team failed completely when qualifying for the European Championship, but two football teams from a small village near Utrecht are still doing pretty well!
“After an exciting season featuring both setbacks and victories, the two Hardingsupported teams from VV ‘t Goy ended up in the top three of their leagues”, reports Robert Miltenburg, coach and Harding design engineer. Both teams consist of 11 players and three substitutes aged 12 to 15. Inspired by the motto “The only way is up”, the boys and one girl train twice a week and play their matches on Saturdays. “Football is a team sport and we can only
win the game if we act like a team, work hard, and deal with our setbacks. Thanks to all the hard work and dedication of all the players, they were able to close the season with a very positive result”, says Miltenburg. Harding has sponsored the two teams for several years. “The players are proud to wear their shirts with the Harding logo! For me as a coach, however, the logo can cause distractions during the game, as supporters often ask me what Harding is. Then I’m suddenly stuck talking
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about the company instead of focusing on the next brilliant tactical move”, says Miltenburg with a laugh. Apart from these minor “problems”, he and the teams are highly appreciative of Harding’s contributions. “The financial support is important for a small football club like VV ‘t Goy, as we can buy a nice team outfit and equipment for training”, the Dutch coach says.
Responsible Publisher: Harding Safety AS Design and production: Zpirit Press: HBO Text: Zpirit, Harding Photos: Zpirit, Harding, Shutterstock