Damen acquires WK Hydraulics

Construction of vessels including tugs and workboats involves coordination of myriad sub-system suppliers from main machinery down to the very smallest of individual components. To offer customers as near a seamless turnkey solution as possible, shipyards regularly establish supply agreements with component manufacturers or take the company under its own wing; this acquisition is an example of the latter.

Located in Barendrecht, WK Hydraulics already overlaps with Damen in areas including steering gear and hydraulic power units, it also brings experience in the construction of larger customised hydraulic systems for winches, crane, bow thrusters and other applications. This will no doubt be of value to the Damen Group in general who offer a broad range of vessel types and sizes.

WK Hydraulics’ own portfolio includes towing pins, wire and chain stoppers and equipment to flush large hydraulic systems, an area that will fit with DMC’s own core rudder, steering gear, winch and nozzle systems.

Having worked on projects with DMC previously, WK Hydraulics’ management recognised the benefits of taking the relationship a stage further by becoming part of a larger entity, especially in today’s highly competitive market. Its aim was to broaden its business model to include drive systems in all their different forms but required additional skills and resources in areas such as electronics and PLC technology, fitting neatly with DMC to become a ‘competence centre’ covering the entire hydraulics sector.

Following the acquisition, WK Hydraulics’ product range is now sold under the DMC or Van der Velden Marine Systems brand names, the transition completed when WK Hydraulics join the DMC team at its new facility at Hardinxveld on the Beneden Merwede river in the province of South Holland around ten miles east of Dordrecht.

For DMC, Steef Staal, managing director said: “WK Hydraulics has always been an important supplier and indeed partner for Damen Shipyards. With DMC now moving to extend its product portfolio, we identified the need to enhance our capabilities in hydraulics and hydraulic-driven deck gear. WK Hydraulics is ideally positioned to fill that gap. We are very happy to welcome the complete WK Hydraulic staff and their skills and knowledge. We are looking forward to a successful future together.”

By Peter Barker