Schottel enhances propulsion expertise
Schottel has increased its direct involvement in its products, including azimuth thrusters, with the purchase of a majority stake in Turkey-based electric systems integration expert elkon.
The signing of the contract for the purchase by holding company Schottel Industries means the two companies will operate as partners in the maritime market. elkon is described by Schottel as a “renowned and very successful supplier of electrical power system engineering, design and integration for vessels” and the German propulsion company’s aim is to grow even stronger from a strategic point of view, Stefan Kaul, Schottel CEO saying: “We will expand our portfolio to include everything regarding generation, distribution, storage and management of electrical energy on board vessels. Schottel becomes a complete system supplier for electrical and green propulsion.”
With the growing trend towards energy efficiency in the towage sector including an expanding range of hybrid and electrical options, Schottel sees them as being offered in a complementary way, noting a particular overlap in the field of propulsion hybridisation in the new build and conversion business.
It adds that customers can continue to benefit from the usual professional and independent services of both companies with the advantage lying in expansion of both portfolios and possible commissioning of turnkey solutions for propulsion systems and systems integration.
Ertuğ Yaşar, Managing Director at elkon, said: “In the past, Schottel and elkon have already been contracted independently of each other in projects on several occasions. They involved virtually every possible vessel type, from tugs and ferries to offshore vessels. Both companies thus play an important role in the customers’ decision-making process. In the longer term, they will benefit from each other and further develop, especially towards green propulsion.”
elkon plans to take “an important leap forward” in its international ambitions. In addition to the current regional focus on Europe, some Caspian Sea countries along with the Middle East and North America will benefit from the global reach of the Schottel network.
Schottel will take over a majority stake in elkon from family investment house Vera Capital, the minority stake remaining with elkon’s senior engineers and management.
elkon will become a legally independent subsidiary of Schottel Industries GmbH, a holding company which in addition to Schottel GmbH, already includes companies of the automation and gearbox technology sectors.
