Spare parts suppliers deliver a reliable service

Every ship operator knows the importance of a reliable spare parts service. Readily available spares are vital for the smooth operation of their fleet, so with this in mind most operators cultivate a close association with a good spares supplier. Sometimes this may be a shiprepairer who knows the ships and can often offer a selection of spares from its own stores, often even producing some of the spares in its own workshops as well as supplying a delivery service direct to the vessel. A major and vital source of ship’s spares has always been the engine or auxiliary machinery maker including companies like Wärtsilä, MAN B&W Diesel, SEMT Pielstick and Caterpillar, who last year opened a brand new spares facility in Germany. Because of the continued growth of MaK diesel engine sales around the world, in April last year Caterpillar opened a new logistic centre in Henstedt-Ulzburg, Germany, north of Hamburg. The warehouse comprises an enclosed area of nearly 15,000m2 (161,450ft2) and is the fourth facility in Germany for Caterpillar Motoren Gmb. The facility now serves as a hub for MaK spare parts for customers throughout the world.

Another major European OEM supplier, ABB also places great importance on spares supply for its turbochargers and other equipment and offers a 24 hour service for the supply of all urgently needed marine spare parts direct to the vessel or shipyard.

Other suppliers are dedicated spare parts producers and suppliers who can obtain spares anywhere in the world and deliver to the ship. The GI Group is one of these.

With over 15 years experience in supplying spares and marine parts, the group has the industry knowledge to provide ship operators with almost any replacement part, from marine pumps, auxiliary engines to Alfa Laval spares and Hamworthy air compressors. GI Group says that its range of marine parts is backed up by a dedication to customer service that is unsurpassed. A spokesman told Marine Propulsion recently, “Our London offices are run by personnel that have direct experience in the maritime industry, including marine engineers and naval architects, so it is easy for us to locate and deliver say a specific Alfa Laval spare part. We can find it quickly and accurately. We work hard ensuring our systems for the distribution of marine parts are highly efficient so you can rely on timely delivery of spares for all your vessel's needs. Our sophisticated database can locate urgently needed marine parts, including Hamworthy air compressors, Alfa Laval spares and other parts direct from producers and traders so we can provide the most cost-effective solution for the customer.

“We’ve created an efficient distribution system for marine parts, with large stocks of all components (including marine pumps, auxiliary engines and Alfa Laval spares) stored at strategic locations so we can provide what the customer needs as quickly as possible. Because we're totally independent of any equipment manufacturer or other supplier, we can give the ship operator a totally independent and objective view on their requirements.”

GI Group currently claims to offer the widest range of spares for marine pumps of any marine parts company, online or offline. It says that there are thousands of ships currently in operation worldwide that have been supplied with marine pumps and other key spares by them. It is continually monitoring and developing its technology in accordance with ISO 9002 (the global standard for product and process quality). GI’s spokesman explained, “The ISO standard ensures that you get the best product available; you can also rely on consistency and quality in the customer service you receive from us, whether ordering specific marine pumps or establishing a long-term relationship with us for marine parts supply. Our London warehouse carries a large stock of marine pumps and spares, so we can source marine pumps for a wide range of specifications easily. We also have a UK factory where we manufacture marine pumps and other spares to your specifications. When the customer contacts us we produce the exact marine pump for their requirements.”

GI Group say that it is one of the largest stockists of marine auxiliary engines spares in Europe. “We have spares for Daihatsu, Yanmar and Ruston. Because of our buying power and industry knowledge, we achieve the most competitive prices for auxiliary engines and other marine spares. We’re committed to constant review and development within our range and update it frequently with the latest products from the auxiliary engines market. While our range of new auxiliary engine spares provides you with access to a vast range of products, we also offer reconditioned spares including crankshafts, cylinder heads, and connecting rods. All of our reconditioned auxiliary engines come with class certification and many are surplus from our own warehouse stock, which means you have the additional reassurance of our quality control. We also have a white metal bearing agreement that allows us to meet urgent requirements and provide tailor-made bearings when they are required”

GI says that they are ready to discuss any issue with customers concerning auxiliary engines and one of their experienced staff will always be available to help.

GI say that Alfa Laval are world leaders in water purifiers and refrigeration and the GI Group claim to have a massive selection of Alfa Laval spare parts, with over 1,800 items in stock and highly competitive prices on both new and reconditioned parts.

“In addition to the huge range of Alfa Laval spare parts, we also carry Mitsubishi purifiers and parts for both Carrier and Sabroe refrigeration components”

“We carry a large stock of air compressors at our London-based warehouses, including Hamworthy air compressors. Hamworthy have been producing air compressors for over 70 years and during that time they have become one of the most popular air compressors, with a variety of marine applications.”

“Because of this, we ensure that we provide a competitive and easily accessible supply of Hamworthy compressors to the marine industry as part of our range of over 6000 air compressor spare parts. As well as our new air compressor parts we also offer customers a wide range of reconditioned parts. Trained personnel perform all our reconditioning in our workshops in accordance with detailed inspection and quality control to ensure high quality performance, safety and durability of every one of our reconditioned units.”

GI say that they are always ready to discuss specific air compressor requirements, be they for Hamworthy compressors or other manufacturers equipment.

GI Group claims to be the industry leader in marine spare parts. It also says that it is the leading supplier of marine spares in Britain. “We have over 15 years’ experience at the forefront of our sector and have continually modernised our systems, providing customers with rapid, accurate responses to any enquiry. Our large, current stock includes many standard marine spare parts from leading manufacturers such as Sperre, Thune Eureka marine pumps, Alfa Laval purifiers and Carrier and Sabroe refrigeration compressors.”

GI says that unlike many suppliers, it employs dedicated personnel, most of whom have notched up several years in the marine industry, including naval architects and marine engineers.

“In recent years we have spent considerable time and money developing highly efficient software, speeding up sourcing and distribution of marine spares from manufacturers across the world providing the most effective and reliable service for the customer. Our unique computer programs have been written specifically for us, providing a state-of-the-art database and retrieval system making our supply the most efficient in the world. The main benefit of using us is our large stock of spares held in warehouses around Britain, all carrying essential spares. This means we can fulfil your orders quickly, without sourcing the item direct from the manufacturer. We also run our own ‘factory bespoke’ providing marine pump spares and other marine spare parts.”

“In addition we also offer highly competitive prices on Carrier and Sabroe refrigeration compressors. Carrier invented the basics of modern air conditioning over 100 years ago and the company has since been the world leader in air conditioning, heating and refrigeration systems.” MP