Rolls-Royce has unveiled its upgraded thruster production plant in Rauma after a €57M (US$64.7M) renovation at the Finnish facility.
The investment included the rebuilding of the site’s production hall and the construction of a new, 35m high hall with cranes for manufacturing and testing thrusters of all sizes. A renewed welding hall, six factory acceptance test rigs, a logistics centre and an office complex were also built.
“The conclusion to this investment prepares us for future growth in this market, while enabling us to produce our existing range of thrusters and develop new products more efficiently,” said Rolls-Royce Marine president Mikael Mäkinen.
Rauma produces mechanical azimuth thrusters for a wide range of applications including semi-submersible drilling rigs and drillships, tugs, offshore vessels and specialist vessels including icebreakers and polar research ships. The new facility aims to streamline the production and simultaneous testing of thrusters.
Rolls-Royce programme manager at Rauma, Ulla Ylisäe, said: “We have created a state-of-the art thruster manufacturing hub that increases operational capacity and optimises production flow lines. We have closed the project on budget and as scheduled.”
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