Propulsion and steering system manufacturer Schottel Group is regularly mentioned in Tugs & Towing when reviewing new tugs and a reorganisation within the group will now see greater benefits for its customers.

The Spay/Rhine-based company can trace its history back to 1921 and is known for its development of azimuth propulsion and manoeuvring systems and this latest reorganisation will see Schottel combining its customer service expertise into a new After-Sales Service division that was previously spread over a number of decentralised interfaces of Customer Support and System Technology.

Head of the newly organised division is Stefan Buch who states the objective is to provide: “… even more intensive support to our international customers and service subsidiaries.” Projects will be able to be processed more directly and presenting ‘one face to the customer’ with close technical networking with the employees through shorter communication channels and concentration of know-how. Schottel state this will mean shorter response times and greater customer proximity for its clients.

By Peter Barker