ahead A magazine from Harding — 1/2014
“the start of an eventful voyage” Harding CEO Styrk Bekkenes on the birth of the company and future prospects.
>> a solid offshore boost
Contracts for a total of 16 FF 1200 freefall lifeboat systems represent a strong contribution to Harding’s order book.
harding services >> – a truly global partner Focus areas and future prospects for the industry’s largest service network.
www.harding.no
May 2014
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ahead Welcome to the Harding Magazine
Dear Friends Welcome to our very first issue of Ahead, the Harding magazine. It’s been almost a year since the merger between Schat-Harding and Noreq, and we are now fully operational as one company. With our new magazine, we proudly invite you to take a glimpse into life and business at Harding. In this very first issue, our CEO shares his thoughts on the future and the way forward. You’ll also find articles about major contracts, our global service network, customer satisfaction, as well as thoughts and perspectives on the new Harding from colleagues around the world. As one of the leading players in the lifesaving industry, we can offer our customers what is probably the widest range of products from a single supplier. The recent orders presented in the magazine are great examples of our competitiveness within the offshore, cruise and merchant markets. Innovation and product development have always been, and still are, important to our company. On pages 22–25 you can gain an understanding of our urge to innovate and some insight into the development processes behind two of our major innovation successes. We have named our magazine “Ahead” for several reasons. Harding is both a company that is ahead of our competitors in many aspects, and a company that is moving forward through growth and development. Ahead is also a nautical term, linking the magazine to our maritime core business. And while I’m on the subject of names: We have chosen Harding Safety AS as the official name of the company. This is a name that is strongly rooted in history. Did you for example know that back in 1971, the first totally enclosed lifeboat approved for use on board a Norwegian-flagged vessel was named “Harding Safety”? Welcome aboard! I hope you will be a faithful reader in the time to come. Best Regards,
Bjørn Sturle Hillestad Global Marketing Director
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co n t e n ts 4 This is Harding
6 “The start of an eventful voyage” The merging of Schat-Harding and Noreq into one Harding, uniting the best of both companies, is well underway. Today the main focus lies in business opportunities, innovation and future strategy. “I have great faith in the market and in Harding’s potential”, Harding CEO Styrk Bekkenes states in this interview.
10 “2014 – a year for laying a solid foundation” Interview with Harding’s chairman Inge K. Hansen
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12 Major offshore contracts boost order book
Outstanding effort in the wake of fire
14 The world’s largest service network Harding has the industry’s largest service network, with more than 30 service stations spread around the world. In an interview with Global Services Director Roeland Scholtes, he explains the strengths, focus areas and future prospects for our services division.
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“Three years of complete satisfaction”
18 Exhibition overview A proud TV moment Harding’s ironman 19 Breakthrough in Brazil
20 Aiming for former glory Harding was once a major supplier of life-saving appliances to the cruise industry. Now we’re aiming to reclaim that position.
22 The innovative saga continues 25 Supplying National Oilwell Varco with safe access 26 Strong tailwind for Harding’s FSAs Excited about the new Harding
28 Supporting active youngsters
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Harding is the global market leader of marine life-saving systems, with a solid track record of deliveries to offshore installations and vessels world-wide.
this is harding >>
“Harding Safety” was the first totally enclosed lifeboat, approved by the Norwegian authorities to be used on board a Norwegian-flagged vessel.
The number of Harding offices around the world is 28, and still growing.
We have over 900 dedicated employees, and people from over 40 nationalities work for Harding.
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The largest passenger vessel carrying Harding equipment is the “Oasis of the Seas” – the largest passenger ship ever built.
Harding’s headquarters is situated in beautiful Seimsfoss, Norway.
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Harding was the company behind the first GRP freefall lifeboat, launched for the first time in 1976.
We have delivered more than 2000 lifeboats to the international cruise industry.
We have the industry’s largest global service network, with close to 200 service personnel and more We have production facilities in seven locations in Europe, Asia and the US. These represent a total indoor production area of more than 70.000 square meters.
than 30 service stations.
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One Harding
Harding's major initiative:
“the start of an eventful voyage” >>
“I have great faith in the market and Harding's potential. We have cast off and started out on an eventful voyage, on which we will do many exciting things in the time ahead”, Harding Director Styrk Bekkenes announces.
“We have half an hour before I have to go to the next meeting.” Harding Director Styrk Bekkenes rushes into the interview holding today's lunch. Time is a scarce resource when the new Harding is being streamlined as one company, at the same time as customers all over the world are continuously being provided with the very best products and services. “We have come a long way in the job of merging Schat-Harding and Noreq into Harding, and the strong enthusiasm I am witnessing amongst the employees has undoubtedly been important in assisting the birth of the new company”, states Bekkenes.
Bigger and stronger – in the customers‘ best interests. The investment fund Herkules Capital acquired Umoe Schat-Harding and Noreq last summer, and commenced the work of establishing Harding as the world's leading supplier of maritime lifesaving equipment (LSA). By uniting the collective expertise and delivery capability of the two companies into a bigger and stronger unit, Harding can offer both new and existing customers increased assurance regarding equipment deliveries, service and cost levels.
“Our most important competitive advantages are the collective history and experience we have in the company, the extensive competence of our employees around the world, the great equipment and service products we can offer, as well as having owners who want to invest in Harding”, the Director says. As part owner and General Manager in Noreq, Bekkenes was a key driving force behind this major initiative. He rewinds to autumn 2012. “The LSA market was very fragmented with many small suppliers. In Noreq we understood that the customers sought bigger operators. Vi understood that if Noreq were to expand further and become a large-scale and important supplier, we would have to bring about a consolidation with a partner. Both industrial and purely financial contenders were considered before we chose Herkules Capital. In addition to financial muscles, Herkules has an industrial competence and understanding of the underlying factors that run our industry. This competence was crucial in the choice to commit together with them”, Bekkenes recalls.
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As CEO Styrk Bekkenes is at the helm of Harding. The company’s flagship, the FF 1200 freefall lifeboat, offers great practice opportunities.
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I have great faith in the market in which we operate, and in Harding’s potential.
Will be expanding Noreq and Herkules quickly realised that Umoe Schat-Harding, based in the same west Norwegian municipality as Noreq, was a company that would complement Noreq well. While Schat-Harding had the world's biggest service network, and a strong position as a supplier to offshore customers on the Norwegian shelf, Noreq had a strong position in the offshore and merchant market globally. “In the winter of 2013 we commenced talks with the Schat-Harding owner, Umoe, who, shortly afterwards put the company on the market for a structured sale. On July 8 last year, Herkules took over both Noreq and Schat-Harding. Since then, it has been full steam ahead in the work to unite the best of the two companies”, Bekkenes relates. He makes no secret of the fact that the goal of the owners and the management is to expand. “Harding's new plan of strategy will open up for both organic growth and possible acquisitions. The growth will take place solely within our core business areas, which are equipment sales and services. Today we have a total market share of 15–16 percent globally, so the potential is enormous”, Bekkenes ascertains, and quickly adds: “In order to realise this potential we need to make a number of moves. We need more sellers and sales offices, we must look at how we carry out our services, we must install the most cost effective production solutions, and we must continue to invest in innovation and product development. Innovation is becoming an
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“Great products and services are some of our most important competitive advantages”, says CEO Styrk Bekkenes, here chatting with Quality Inspector Bjarte Lunde during installations inside a FF 1200.
extremely important activity for us, if Harding is to maintain its position as the leading supplier.”
Has attended the school of life When Bekkenes took the helm of the Harding vessel in the autumn of 2013, around 840 of the total 960 employees got a new boss. Who, then, is this 40-year-old from Kvinnherad, western Norway? “Well ...”, says the Director and takes a deep breath. He's certainly not particularly fond of talking about himself. “I am a person who has been to the school of life. I left school at 16 and have worked since then. I started by tidying the storeroom at a shipyard, before I eventually took a trade certificate as an industrial mechanic. Along with two others, I started my first company in 1995, in which we bought and sold used equipment for ships, until I established Noreq in 2006. I was General Manager there right up until the sale to Herkules last year. To sum up, I believe this background has given me a very practical and solution-oriented approach to challenges that may crop up. At the same time I am humbled to now be leading a large organisation. I still have a lot to learn in that area, and acquire new knowledge daily - ably assisted by great colleagues.”
I would like for us at Harding to cultivate a creative force and establish a winning team. Some people might say that I am too involved in the details. They're probably right. But my involvement in everything from development projects to deliveries and internal processes is not due to a desire for control. The reason is quite simply that I am so passionately absorbed by my job, and the goal of creating something good with Harding. Then the details are important. But I am absolutely capable of lifting my sights and seeing the big picture too”, chuckles Bekkenes. He acknowledges that he willingly reveals his views at an early stage to provoke discussions. “I love that we have discussions in the company, as that means that we challenge each other and find the best solutions. Good discussions and brainstorming early on in various processes are extremely important for success”, the Director believes. He concludes the interview by pointing out that he is very optimistic on Harding's behalf. “I have great faith in the market in which we operate, and in Harding's potential. We have cast off and started out on an eventful voyage, on which we will do many exciting things in the time ahead”, Bekkenes announces.
“What are the most important qualities you have brought with you, as leader for Harding?” “First and foremost a burning commitment to what I do. The entrepreneurial spirit from the Noreq days is still in me, and
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One Harding
“in 2014 we are laying the foundations for the harding of tomorrow”
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In October 2013, Inge K. Hansen assumed the position of board chairman at Harding. The advisor, who has previously been CEO of Aker Kværner, finds it both interesting and inspiring to be involved in shaping the new company.
“My impression of Harding is that it is a company with a good name and great products, in which the conditions are ideal for excellent development. It is very positive to see that the new organisation has started to function as one unit, following a short period of readjustment, and that it is already fully focussed on business operations and value creation“, says the board chairman.
pany further, and the strategy plan will provide room for growth through a strengthening of Harding‘s core activities and competence. If we are to succeed internationally, we must not overreach and become mediocre”, warns Hansen, who was voted Nordic Chair of the Year in 2012 for his position as board chairman in Gjensidige Insurance – a position he still holds.
He believes that Harding‘s most important goal for 2014 must be to establish a solid foundation that the company can build on in the coming years. One of the building blocks in this foundation is the company’s new strategy plan. Work is being done on input for this plan in Harding’s various regions and business areas, which the board will adopt during the summer.
He has a good mix of employee representatives and people with solid experience from Norwegian and international industry with him on the Harding board.
One Harding
“It is the board‘s goal that the employees and the management will feel a sense of ownership of this strategy, and we will be open to any input that comes in. Our main focus during this strategic planning is how we can optimally build up the com-
satisfied owners “Here at Herkules Capital, we are very satisfied with the start of our ownership in Harding. It has been important for us to make Schat-Harding and Noreq emerge as one company with one brand name as quickly as possible. These processes are challenging, but the integration has gone well – with respect for both companies’ history. We are happy that the new organisation is already functioning as one team. Of course, we are also pleased with the positive responses we have received from numerous
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“The common denominator is that we all share a deep interest in Harding. The board is also extremely aware of the fact that we don‘t just have a supervisory role regarding operation and management of the company. The role we fill as an advisory resource for the administration is just as important to us“, Inge K. Hansen emphasises.
Harding Magazine
employees in Harding“, says Kristian Eikre, partner in Herkules Capital. Herkules was established in 2002, and is one of the leading private equity firms in Norway, representing a considerable capital base. Herkules invests in Nordic companies, with the main focus on Norwegian companies with international growth potential. For each investment, Herkules has an ownership perspective of five to seven years. “Even though we are financial investors, we think like industrialists.
Therefore, we spend a lot of time getting to know the industries and companies we are investing in. To generate return for our investors, it is crucial that we develop attractive and profitable companies. Our goal with Harding is to build the world’s leading supplier of maritime lifesaving equipment. This means that we are targeting to grow the company further in the coming years. With Herkules as owners, Harding has access to significant growth capital if needed“, Eikre explains – who himself is also a board member in Harding.
Harding‘s new strategy plan will provide room for growth through a strengthening of Harding‘s core activities and competence.
0utstanding effort in the wake of fire In early February, Harding’s production facility in Ølve, Norway was fully refurbished following a fire that had broken out on the night of 18 December 2013. Luckily, no personnel were injured in the fire, and the flames only caused limited damage to the facility. The subsequent refurbishment has resulted in an upgraded and aesthetically pleasing factory, which is now operating at full capacity. “Employees and sub-suppliers in Ølve have done an outstanding job! I would like express my gratitude to everyone involved. You spent several weeks during the Christmas holidays preparing the factory for production in January, and this effort is a great example of what we mean by “One Harding”. I hope you all enjoy our new environment”, says Tom Jensen, Harding’s Global Production and Procurement Director, in his message to the employees in Ølve.
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“We feel that Harding has the best technical solutions and has made the most progress in satisfying the new safety standards on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.“ Svein Helge Eide, PRE, Apply Leirvik. Full scale acceptance test for the Edvard Grieg project.
Harding‘s North Sea Sales Director, Johannes Hjønnevåg (left), Apply Leirvik Purchasing Manager Espen Mæland and Apply Leirvik PRE Svein Helge Eide sign the agreement for the supply of two FF 1200 systems to the Ivar Aasen platform.
major offshore contracts boost order book
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Since summer 2013, Harding has been contracted to supply a total of 16 FF 1200 freefall lifeboat systems. Eight will be delivered to new platforms on the Norwegian continental shelf, and another eight to the Chinese shipping group COSCO. All orders include Harding’s LA 1200 SU davits.
Harding has the most sophisticated and most advanced technology for freefall lifeboat systems in the industry. The core market for this high-end equipment is the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS), but as new product and test standards make other offshore regions look increasingly to Norway, this high-end market is likely to expand over the next few decades.
As contractor for the living quarter for Det norske oljeselskap’s Ivar Aasen project, Apply Leirvik will also be the recipient of another two FF 1200 systems from Harding. These will be installed on the Ivar Aasen living quarter in 2015. Apply Leirvik is Harding's contact partner for this delivery.
Harding’s latest offshore contracts seem to confirm such a prediction. Since last summer, the company has received orders for a total of 16 FF 1200 freefall lifeboat systems, comprising lifeboats and Harding’s proprietary LA 1200 SU davit solution.
Following a positive 2013, 2014 started off well for Harding with regard to offshore deliveries. In January, Harding was contracted to deliver yet another eight FF 1200/LA 1200 SU systems to the Chinese shipping group COSCO. These will be commissioned in the first half of 2015 at the COSCO shipyard in Nantong, upstream on the Yangtze River, following installation on the semi-submersible rig Axis Vega. This is a floatel owned by Axis Offshore, who has one floatel in operation and another two under construction. The first two in the series will operate with Harding lifeboats and FRC’s installed, the contract for the third floatel has not yet been awarded, but Harding’s sales team hopes to be well positioned to compete for this as well.
“The preferred leading product” “We are very pleased with the agreements, which collectively add up to some very significant deliveries and provide a solid boost for our order book. Along with our comprehensive list of previous deliveries, the orders are further confirmation that Harding FF1200 is the preferred leading product on the Norwegian continental shelf – as well as in other offshore regions”, says Johannes Hjønnevåg, North Sea Sales Director in Harding. Eight of the FF 1200 systems are destined for the Norwegian continental shelf. Harding will supply three FF 1200 systems to the Martin Linge platform, which will be operated by Total. The contract has been signed with Technip, and the lifeboat systems are to be delivered in 2014. The same number of lifeboats and davits will be delivered to Gina Krog, having been built by our contract partner Daewoo in South Korea. The installation will be performed by Norwegian Apply Leirvik in 2015, during Apply Leirvik’s assembly of the platform’s living quarter. Statoil is Gina Krog's operator.
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Another eight to COSCO
hyundai orders six ff 1000s In addition to the FF 1200 deliveries, Harding has also recently been awarded two other significant offshore contracts: The first is an order for six FF 1000s M systems that has been placed by Hyundai, and the second is a large modification project of four FF 34 systems on the Statoil-operated Heimdal field.
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Harding Services
Roeland Scholtes, Harding's Global Services Director.
the worlds largest service network >>
“An increasing number of customers are realising the value of entering into a service agreement for their whole fleet. With the industry's largest service network, Harding Services is optimally positioned to meet this trend”, states Roeland Scholtes, Harding's Global Services Director.
“Harding is one of the first companies in the LSA industry that can offer everything the customers need, with regard to both equipment and servicing”, says Scholtes. As Global Services Director, the 35-year-old has the overriding responsibility for Harding's network of 25 service stations around the world. Harding Services plans, coordinates, and carries out inspections, maintenance, and urgent repairs on maritime lifesaving equipment supplied by Schat-Harding, Noreq, and a range of all other suppliers. “Our task is, quite simply, to ensure that life-saving equipment aboard platforms, rigs and vessels functions optimally throughout the lifetimes of the various products”, says Scholtes.
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New service concept provides advantages for customers He is a great believer in the “new creation” that is Harding, and points out two particular advantages that the merger of Schat-Harding and Noreq provides for the service customers. “Harding services can now offer a complete package of life saving systems. Previously we experienced that service customers wanted to make use of us purely for service purposes, but due to Schat-Harding's limited product portfolio, they chose other business partners when they were going to upgrade to new equipment. That situation is no more. Today, Harding services have access to a much larger portfolio of interesting and competitive products, both for the global
offshore industry, and the commercial fleets. I see that the compact and enclosed davit system in particular, developed by Noreq, is a very interesting product for our service customers”, says Scholtes, and quickly adds: “The other main advantage is that the Noreq customers now gain access to a global service network. We usually have service teams available close to the most important ports or waters where the ships operate, and can mobilise more economically and quickly than Noreq's service organisation could previously. This means big savings for this customer group, while it also becomes easier to gain access to services and repairs.”
Hook replacements constitute a large and important market for Harding‘s global services division.
Focusing on hook replacement and fleet service agreements Replacement of lifeboat hooks will be an important area of focus for the approximately 360 employees in Harding's service division over the coming five to seven years. “New requirements from IMO, stated in MSC 1392, mean that all hooks on nearly all lifeboats supplied by Schat-Harding and Noreq must be replaced. The present day hooks do not meet the new regulations, and must be replaced with a new hook system that Harding has developed in line with the new requirements. All these hook replacements constitute a large and important market in which we will work hard to secure a share”, Scholtes points out.
Fleet service agreements, where the customers enter into service agreements for all lifesaving equipment in whole fleets of vessels and installations, are another area of focus. “With a fleet service agreement, the customer has a single point of contact in Harding, who maintains an overview of all inspection deadlines, and where the vessels are located at all times. This enables us to deliver global service assistance in the most practical ports for the customer, at a fixed price. These kind of service agreements make it simple and predictable for the customer to budget and administrate inspections and service jobs”, Scholtes tells us.
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Harding Services‘ additional ability to service other suppliers‘ equipment is an important success factor for the fleet service agreements.
Expertise in third party equipment Harding Services' additional ability to service other suppliers' equipment is an important success factor for the fleet service agreements. “We have a separate programme linked to third party equipment, in which we give our service engineers training in maintenance and repairs of the various products our customers have installed. This is part of a comprehensive training programme in which we continuously strive to improve our employees' competence, and thereby elevate the quality of the services we deliver”, Scholtes emphasises. He is experiencing that more and more shipping companies and operating companies are realising the value of having a single service provider for all their lifesaving equipment. “This is a trend we are well positioned to meet, and fleet service agreements are something we promote strongly. There are always cheaper alternatives in the market if the ships are
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taken to local workshops, but an increasing number of customers are, however, realising the advantages we can offer as a point of contact and administrator, with access to a worldwide service network”, Scholtes tells us.
become even better, so right now my main focus is on making our service organisation even more effective. When this work is complete, we will have a solid mainstay for starting to look at further global growth,” Roeland Scholtes informs us.
Preparing for further growth Pr ior t o b e c o m i n g S e r v i c e D i r e c t o r i n Harding, the 35-year-old naval architect worked in various service and technical services related positions in Willem Pot BV for 12 years. Six years ago, the Rotterdambased service company was acquired by Schat-Harding, and Scholtes was made CEO. Under his leadership the company has grown significantly, both in turnover and numbers, and has introduced a dedicated training centre. Here, Harding Services now run courses both for their own service engineers, and technical personnel from the customers. “The excellent service department we built up with Schat-Harding is the fundament for the new Harding Services. But we can still
harding services: >> 1 and 5-Yearly Inspections, refurbishments and testing of LSA >> Fleet Service Agreements >> Training >> SeaCure LHR on-load release gear >> Retrofitting of on-load release gear >> Technical Studies and upgrades on LSA
Th e c u s t o m e r
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“The fleet service agreement with Harding has reduced our costs, freed up a lot of time to develop our core business, and given us the reliable and certified service partner we wanted”, states Jens Meyering, MD of Meyering Shipmanagement.
Three years into a fleet service agreement, Meyering Shipmanagement MD Jens Meyering (to the right) feels quite sure that they will sign an extension with Harding Sales Manager Mathias Balcke.
“three years of complete satisfaction” Although Haren is far from a major city, it’s still Germany's third-largest in terms of the number of ship owners – with over 20 shipping companies. One of these is Meyering Shipmanagement. The classic family ship owning company operates a fleet of five multipurpose vessels, which sail between ports throughout Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Baltic Sea.
Securing safety and quality on board In 2011, Meyering Shipmanagement entered a five-year fleet service agreement (FSA) with Harding in Germany for the company’s multi-brand lifesaving appliances (LSA). “With multi-brand equipment on all our ships, it’s been very time-consuming to find capable, certified, and well recognized service providers, that can perform ad hoc and case by case inspections, and possible follow up repairs in the next port. By entering a fleet service agreement with Harding, our aim was to save time, eliminate possible hassles and to reduce costs – as well as to secure the overall safety and quality that we already have established on our vessels”, explains Managing Director Jens Meyering. “Has Harding lived up to your expectations?” “Yes, fully! Having Harding as a single point of contact that keeps track of, and manages, all our LSA inspections and possible follow up repair works has reduced our costs, freed up a lot of time to develop our core business, and given us the reliable and certified service partner we wanted. The quality of the services and repairs are always excellent, and if we have any questions Harding’s representatives are always open to dialogue and discussions”, states Meyering.
Quite possibly a returning customer “In addition, the FSA also enables us to utilize Harding’s world-wide network of service stations, adding greater flexibility to our operations. Harding even offers fixed pricing for services delivered either in key ports, or on board vessels close to key ports, and this helps both our budgeting and planning. Finally, we highly appreciate Harding´s proactive approach regarding information about new regulations and training possibilities within the LSA field”, Meyering adds. With two more years to go, the MD is already thinking of extending the fleet service agreement beyond the initial five years. “We will, of course have to discuss future pricing with Harding, but I’m feeling quite sure that we will extend”, says Jens Meyering. “In your opinion, is there anything Harding can do to improve the FSAs?” “As mentioned, we are completely satisfied with Harding as our FSA partner for our lifeboats, davits, winches and hooks. To improve the services even further, we would like to see Harding include inspections of other LSAs, such as accommodation ladders, gangways, and life rafts, as part of the FSAs. Nevertheless, we appreciate that our Harding “Single Point Contact” already offers these additional services case by case”, says Jens Meyering.
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exhibitions 2014 5.– 8. May
OTC, Houston
25.– 28. August
ONS, Stavanger
9.– 12. September
SMM, Hamburg
15.– 18. September
Rio Oil & Gas, Rio de Janeiro
10.– 13. November
Adipec, Abu Dhabi
List of exhibitions and conferences online: harding.no
We look forward to seeing you soon!
a proud tv-moment The premiere of “Mission Hurtigruten”, a new national TV series in Norway, offered a proud TV moment and great publicity for Harding. In the season premiere Truls Svendsen, a popular TV host, dropped 21 metres in a Harding FF 1200 freefall lifeboat.
A happy Truls Svendsen after the FF 1200 drop. Beside him, Falck Nutec Instructor Helle Aarseth. (Screenshot from TV2)
In the TV2-series, Mr. Svendsen sails along the west coast of Norway, taking on various challenges throughout his journey up north. The drop with the FF 1200 was one of these, taking place at Falck Nutec's training facilities in Bergen. Harding Safety has close relations with this training site, and has delivered four different lifeboat types to the facility; FF 1200, FF 48-1, FF 700 and FF 1000.
harding’s ironman 1.9 kilometres of swimming, followed by a 90 km bike ride and a 21 km run. This is the tough challenge Ronny Nordal in Harding Services Norway took on when he and two friends participated in the Ironman 70.3 competition last November in Miami, USA. They had trained intensively together since February, and in Miami all those hours of training paid off. After 4 hours, 54 minutes and six seconds, Ronny passed the finish line – exhausted but also very happy with a great result.
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Ronny Nordal after the swim leg, ready to hit the bike.
Kenneth Blom (left), Ronny Nordal and Tore Opsanger after a well excecuted triathlon.
breakthrough in brazil >>
Harding has had a breakthrough in Brazil, in the form of supplying lifeboats, davits, and rescue boats for eight large drillships to be built for Petrobras. “These two contracts provide us with a foothold in an important market with a high level of offshore activity”, says Sales Manager in Brazil, Per Korsvold.
In the course of the spring and autumn of 2013, Harding has secured important contracts for the delivery of lifesaving equipment to two Brazilian shipyards, who will build eight drillships in all for Petrobras – the world's third largest oil company. The drillships will be part of a fleet of 29 new drillships contracted by the oil giant.
Option for a further five Harding will deliver lifesaving equipment for seven drill ships in total to the Estaleiro Atlantico Sul (EAS) shipyard. Each ship will be equipped with a lifesaving package consisting of two 100-person capacity lifeboats, two 80-person capacity lifeboats, one rescue boat (MOB boat), as well as davits for both the lifeboats and the rescue boat. Per Korsvold, Sales Manager, Brazil.
“This is a major contract for Harding for this type of equipment, one of the largest of all time that we have ever secured”, Per Korsvold tells us. Estaleiro Enseada do Paraguacu (EEP) has given Harding the task of delivering an equivalent equipment package. Initially, there is one ship to be equipped, but Harding also has an option on supplying the five sister ships that the ship yard is going to build.
Harding has had a sales office in Rio de Janeiro since 2010, and a service station in Niterói since 2011. “Access to the service station means additional security for our Brazilian customers regarding deliveries. The local service unit ensures rapid and high quality service and maintenance services throughout the life of our equipment”, Korsvold says.
“Confirms our competitiveness” “The two agreements give us a foothold in an important market with a high level of offshore activity. The contracts demonstrate that an increasing number of customers are becoming aware of our products, and confirm that we are highly competitive regarding both price and quality”, Korsvold believes. He quickly adds that the contracts give in no way a false sense of security to the Norwegian supplier. “We know from experience that Brazil is a tough market, so even though we now have succeeded in securing vital market share, we still have to be proactive and knock at customers' doors every single day”, the Sales Manager states.
new order strengthens the foothold Recently Ecovix awarded Harding a contract for delivery of lifesaving equipment for three large drillships to be built for Sete Brasil. Each ship will be equipped with two 100-person capacity lifeboats, two 80-person capacity lifeboats, one rescue boat (MOB boat), as well as davits for both lifeboats and rescue boat. The drillships are to be built at the Ecovix yard in Rio Grande, southern Brazil.
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Th e c r u i s e i n d u s t r y
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aiming for former glory Harding aims to reclaim its position as a major supplier of life saving equipment to the cruise industry. Three new major contracts provide ample inspiration for renewed efforts.
Harding has a long tradition as a supplier of lifeboats, tenders, and rescue boats to the international cruise ship fleet, and in the early 2000s the company handled more than half the global market. The company maintained this position until 2009, when a new standard for cruise lifeboats was introduced. This raised requirements up to 300-person capacity lifeboats; a product Harding does not have in its range, at least not yet. “Our ambition is to regain a strong position in the cruise market, and we are working on the development of a lifeboat concept that meets the new standard”, Sales Director Johannes Hjønnevåg informs us.
“Comeback” Following several quiet years in the cruise market, the sales department could celebrate a quite substantial comeback around the beginning of the new year, in the form of three new major contracts. “All together, including options, the orders really provide excellent motivation for our renewed commitment to the cruise industry”, Hjønnevåg smiles. Harding will deliver a package of a total of eight combined tender and lifeboats, type CTL 38, to Fincantieris shipyard in Palermo, with corresponding davits, as well as eight combined rescue and lifeboats, type Kiss 700C. These will be allocated equally to the ships “MSC Lirica”, “MSC Symphonia”, “MSC Opera”, and “MSC Harmonia”, as part of a comprehensive upgrade Fincantieri is carrying out for MSC Cruises. The CTL 38 has a passenger capacity of 120 persons when used as a tender boat, and can take 150 persons when used as a lifeboat. The Kiss 700 has a 50-person capacity.
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“The technical department in Harding has done a phenomenal job in adapting the davits. Thus RCCL avoid making significant and expensive modifications to the ships' design”, Hjønnevåg explains. The last of the three contracts has been entered into with Holland America Line, who has ordered a combined tender and lifeboat of the type CTL 38, short version, for “MS Noordam”. This will replace an equivalent tender boat that Harding has previously supplied. “The lifeboats for all the contracts will be produced at our facility in Ølve, Norway, whilst the davits are produced in Slany, in the Czech Republic”, Hjønnevåg informs us.
special adaptations Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) has ordered a total of eight CTL 38 tender boats for “Voyager of the Seas” with an option for “Explorer of the Seas”. The delivery is part of a major upgrade programme, in which RCL starts a revitalization of the 311 metre long ships. The tender boats will replace eight lifeboats on each ship, and a VIP 24 FD davit will accompany each one. In addition, two raft davits and two towing booms will be supplied. The davits are specially adapted to be used in the existing lifeboat recesses on the two Voyager Class ships.
Harding has a long tradition as a supplier of lifeboats, tenders, and rescue boats to the international cruise industry.
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Tak i n g s a f e t y f u r t h e r
the innovative saga continues
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Individually, Schat-Harding and Noreq have been two of the world's most innovative suppliers of maritime lifesaving equipment. The level of innovation will by no means be reduced now that the two environments are united in Harding
Since the founders of Harding started to build lifeboats in 1945, the Harding name has been associated with quality, reliability, and not least, innovation. Over the years, the company has been responsible for a number of milestones in the improvement of safety at sea. Noreq has had a shorter lifespan in the LSA industry, but has, in just a few years, launched several innovative products that have left their mark in the market. Not least, the unique series of compact, closed davits for davit-launched lifeboats has been well received in the market.
The tradition for, and the eagerness to create, new and better products and services are well preserved when Schat-Harding and Noreq move forward as one company.
“Development of new and existing products takes high priority in Harding. The objective is clear: We will continue improving safety at sea. As the leading supplier of maritime lifesaving equipment, we will remain at the forefront of technological development”, Global Technical Director Alf Eidsvik and Global Products Director Arild Løkøy state – each of whom has been involved in Harding's latest major innovative successes.
New regulations - new solutions Lokøy, with background from Schat-Harding, has been involved in the development of the freefall lifeboat FF 1200. He explains that work on the lifeboat has its roots as far back as 2005, when shortcomings were discovered in the roof structure on one of Schat-Harding's freefall lifeboats on the Veslefrikk field. Under the direction of the Norsk Olje og Gass organisation, a united offshore industry started a thorough review
of all types of freefall lifeboats that were in use on the Norwegian shelf. “This evaluation demonstrated that neither the lifeboats nor the regulations they were built to meet came up to standard. The process eventually led to a completely new DNV standard for lifeboats and new NORSOK regulations for davits. All the participants in the projects did a thorough job, and as a central contributor throughout the whole process, we acquired knowledge that we could use in the development of a lifeboat system that fulfilled the new requirements. The result was the FF 1200”, Lokøy tells us. A central point in the developmental process was to ensure that the FF 1200 was dimensioned to tackle freefall in all kinds of weather, with no wave height limitations. Several years of comprehensive and advanced calculations, simulations, model, and full-scale testing are behind the final design.
Kristian Nedrevåg, Engineer Lifeboat.
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Vit Cerveny (from left), Kristian Nedrevåg, Eivind Kjerpeset, Håvard Lunde, Arild Lokøy and Kjell Ove Underhaug discuss new product developments.
“The FF 1200 is equipped with a solid, strong, and rigid structure, and fulfills the new DNV requirements regarding free-fall capability in 17 metre-high waves. The boat is built with a total safety factor of 2.7. This means that when it is in freefall in the worst imaginable conditions, and is subjected to the severest stresses and strains, it will still tolerate forces that are 2.7 times stronger”, Lokøy explains. He adds that even the seating solution has been crash tested. This took place at a Dutch company, who normally crash test new car models.
Giving evacuation a flying start Lokøy highlights acceleration capability and low g-forces as the FF 1200's two most important advantages. The freefall lifeboat is constructed so that when it hits the water following release from a platform or ship, it will move as fast as possible away from the platform or ship, without the need for anyone to start it up or steer it. “The lifeboat gives a type of flying start to the evacuation, and the passengers on board
are exposed to minimal g-forces during the fall”, Lokøy explains. The engineer also highlights Harding's new davit solution, LA 1200 SU, as an essential part of the lifesaving system. “The davit has an extremely advanced winch solution that “reads” the force in the wire and compensates for wave movements when an FF 1200 is being hoisted up. This therefore reduces the danger of collision between wire and lifeboat, and one avoids strong jolts to the boat. The davit has been developed in accordance with the requirements in the new NORSOK standard, and the unique solution further increases safety for offshore personnel“, Lokøy explains.
A davit series in a class of its own Harding's closed davits are another great example of innovative and commercial success. Over 700 systems have been supplied to customers worldwide since 2009. “From the early 1900s up until the mid 2000s, lifeboat davits generally looked the same. Our experiences indicated that there was a
need for a new and improved solution, and in 2008 Noreq purchased a concept at the drawing board stage from the Norwegian company Crevi. We then developed this into a comprehensive series of closed davits, and to date, Harding has developed 45 different varieties of davits based on this concept. At the end of 2013 we received approval for the prototype for our biggest so far; a closed davit with a lifting capacity of 23 tonnes”, Alf Eidsvik, who was one of the driving forces in the development project, tells us. He says the Noreq team had four main criteria for the new davit solution. They wanted a standardised solution, units that are compact and closed to external influences, increased user friendliness and safety, and installation according to the plug & play principle. “Lifesaving equipment is often subjected to tough environmental influences, in the form of sun, wind, precipitation, sea spray, ice, and exhaust fumes amongst others. Our davit structure encloses and protects the hydraulic winch, the electrical components, cylinders, hydraulic tank, and battery from
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Vit Cerveny, Engineer.
such influences. This increases both the reliability and lifespan of the davits”, Eidsvik explains, and quickly adds: “We also came across an inadvertent bonus with our first delivery to Dubai; it turned out that the closed davits also protect well against sand. We actually hadn't thought of that”, Eidsvik chuckles.
Plug & Play The fact that the davits are delivered as a plug & play system makes installation both easy and fast. The only things required are filling oil and connecting a cable to an electrical supply. “The plug & play system also reduces the potential for mistakes during installation, while we ensure that the customer receives a Harding product from the factory that has been thoroughly test driven”, says Eidsvik.
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Unlike many other davit systems, Harding's closed davits are operated in the same way, regardless of whether it is a lifeboat drill or a real crisis situation. The only difference is that in a crisis situation the system switches automatically from electricity to battery mode. “Having the same operational pattern for drills and crises means that the operators receive superior training in operating the davit system through regular use. At the same time, our system only has one line for releasing the lifeboat, a simplification that, when compared to traditional solutions, reduces the risk of making mistakes in a critical situation”, explains Eidsvik.
Maintaining the pace Even though both the FF 1200 and the series of closed davits are out on the market, Harding is not resting on its laurels because of this.
“We are now in the process of looking at the possibilities for developing smaller versions of the FF 1200, which can be tailored to the customers' needs”, Lokøy and Eidsvik tell us. “The lists of new products we would like to develop here at Harding are long”, Eidsvik reveals.
Alf Eidsvik, Global Technical Director.
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Development of new and existing products takes high priority in Harding. The objective is clear: We will continue improving safety at sea.
committed to safety at sea since 1928
Some milestones from our proud history: 1928: Patented the first skates to launch a lifeboat from a ship 1945: Lifeboat production began in Norway 1957: From wood to GRP production 1974: The first freefall skid lifeboat in GRP launched 1981: The first vertical freefall drop lifeboat launched 1994: Our new type of cruise tender set the industry standard 1998: World record for highest freefall lifeboat drop – 38 meters 2002: Introduction of the revolutionary KISS consept 2005: The first freefall lifeboat approved according to new NCS regulations 2009: World record for highest freefall lifeboat drop – 55 meters 2009: Release of the totally enclosed davit system 2010: Delivered FF 1200, the first freefall lifeboat to satisfy the new NCS regulations
supplying national oilwell varco with
safe access
Following Harding’s successful deliveries of safe access baskets in 2012, 2013, and the beginning of 2014, National Oilwell Varco has confirmed an order for a total of 37 new baskets to be delivered on a regular basis from Harding’s production facility in Slany, Czech Republic, throughout 2014 and into 2015. The extent of the order comprises complete deliveries, including testing and certification. This means that Harding performs all hydraulic and electrical installation on the products, in addition to steelwork, assembly and testing. By shipping the products directly from Slany to the end customer or shipyards around the world, NOV’s logistics and costs are reduced. The safe access baskets are designed to enable safe access when performing maintenance or work tasks within the drilling structure, and in hard to reach places. In addition to the baskets, Harding’s facility in Slany has also delivered drill floor manipulator arms with pipe handling tools to National Oilwell Varco in 2013. National Oilwell Varco is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, and sale of equipment and components used in oil & gas drilling and production. The company has more than 60.000 employees and 800 offices around the world.
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“I’m really excited about the new Harding.” “It has been a pleasure to meet and begin working with all our new colleagues. The atmosphere is very good and I already know now that we are working towards the same goals as one company. Working together with so many excellent colleagues, both in the office where I sit, and around the world, makes it easy to be excited at work.” Inga Aarseth, Sales Coordinator
“Arctic Princess” is one of the ships included in the fleet service agreement between Harding and Höegh LNG. (Photo: Höegh LNG)
strong tailwind for harding’s fleet service agreements During the first months of 2014, Harding has signed three new fleet service agreements (FSA) for lifesaving appliances:
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Harding has entered a 5-year agreement for 24 vessels with German Brise Bereederung. Brise’s fleet consists of container vessels, forest-product carriers, multipurpose vessels and cement carriers, sailing worldwide. Four vessels are equipped partly with Harding LSA and 20 vessels mainly with other multi-brand equipment. Harding has signed a 5-year FSA with Norwegian Höegh LNG. The contract includes 10 vessels, mostly equipped with a combination of Harding’s FF 1000 and FF 900 freefall systems. 4 new builds are equipped with Harding’s LBF 850 T freefall system. Harding has signed a FSA for six accommodation rigs with ProSafe. The contract is initially for three years, with a two-year option. Harding has also supplied equipment for three of ProSafe’s rigs, and will be the OEM for most of the lifesaving equipment to be installed on the two new ProSafe accommodation rigs that are coming online in 2014–2015.
Harding Magazine
“Our new Harding company provides a great opportunity to service our new and existing customers even better in the future.” “We can now offer not only worldwide service, as we have done in the past, but also a wide range of LSA that will suit just about every project we could encounter. It’s a great challenge for Harding and even greater news for our customers.” Frank Garacci, Sales Manager Americas
“It’s a great union between two organisations that complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses.” Sharon Teo, Supervisor
“There are prospects for
excited about the new harding >>
the workers.” Encik Saib, Service Engineer
We asked a few of our colleagues what they think about the new Harding, based on Schat-Harding and Noreq.
“It is a perfect marriage
“A good merger between two
between Schat-Harding and
companies. More colleagues
Noreq.”
to share experiences with,
In Singapore we now have a complete system to offer the customers, from the sales of new equipment to refurbishing existing systems, and servicing lifeboats. The challenge we face is the difference in work cultures between Noreq and Schat-Harding. By focusing on each other’s strengths instead of the differences, I'm confident that we can build a strong company together.’’
in order to improve on the working environment. More challenging tasks entrusted.” Ei Ei Khaing, Accounts Executive
“I think it’s an exciting time for the companies and like the promoting of “ONE” company.” When employees work together as a team, this promotes positive energy. When you have positive energy flowing around you, it’s contagious and promotes teamwork. With teamwork, possibilities are endless. It’s great to be part of a winning team!” Vanessa Comeaux, Human Resources Manager
Sultan Ahmad Khan, MD, Harding in Singapore
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D e d i c at i o n
supporting active youngsters >> Harding’s products and services have one goal: to make
the ocean safer for crews and passengers on ships and offshore installations around the world. In keeping with our Corporate Social Responsibility, Harding also has a long tradition of contributing to making life safer and better for young people in the communities where we work and live.
We support a wide range of initiatives for youngsters worldwide. It is a pleasure for Harding to give our support to talented young people within sports, culture and education, helping them to become the heroes of tomorrow.
Getting kids involved in healthy activities is one of our focuses, and we have sponsored many youth teams over the years on a worldwide basis, with new, complete kits for use in different sports. For us at Harding, it’s their participation in sporting activities, not necessarily winning, that’s important. We love to see active kids and young people showing effort and enthusiasm from start to finish in a competition, match, or race. We also believe that it is significant to teach children cooperation at an early stage in life, and sports can be a good learning arena for such skills.
AHEAD® Harding Magazine is distributed to customers, partners and Harding employees.
www.harding.no
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Responsible Publisher: Harding Safety AS Design and production: Zpirit Press: HBO Text: Zpirit, Harding Photos: Zpirit, Harding