MTU’s remanufacturing benefits from SKL acquisition

Subject to approval by the German antitrust authorities, on 1 January 2008, MTU Fredrichshafen, part of the Tognum group, will complete the acquisition of SKL Motor GmbH, a subsidiary of Dr Gies Vermögensverwaltungs group. The acquisition will enable MTU to offer a complete service for the remanufacturing and overhaul of its engines in Magdeburg in the eastern part of the country. It is also another step in MTU’s declared expansion strategy in the after sales field. SKL currently operates modern plant and test benches, employing a highly skilled work force.

At the signing of the contract, Tognum chief executive officer Volker Heuer commented: “With the purchase of SKL, Tognum is effectively continuing its growth strategy in the field of after sales. We intend to expand in this sector by an average of approximately 10 per cent annually during the coming years.”

Neither party was prepared to disclose the purchase price. Rainer Breidenbach, executive board member for after sales, told Marine Propulsion. “Now we can offer our customers a broader range of high-quality services for the general overhaul of MTU engines and components.”

SKL (an abbreviation for the company originally known as Schwermaschinenfabrik Karl Liebknecht) has been manufacturing diesel engines in Magdeburg for many years and currently produces medium-speed models in the 500-2,350kW range. In future it will provide the basis for the new re-manufacturing centre for MTU engines. The SKL division of MTU will also supply the Dr Gies group with engines and spare parts.

In 2006/7, SKL sales amounted to €e17 million. The Tognum group, one of the world’s leading suppliers of marine propulsion systems, achieved sales of €e2.5 billion.