ZF Marine acquires HRP

The Marine Propulsion Systems business unit of ZF Friedrichshafen AG in Germany is further expanding its position as a leading worldwide supplier of complete marine propulsion systems for all types of vessels.

ZF Marine has now acquired HRP Nederland b.v. with all subsidiaries including production locations in The Netherlands and Indonesia as well as sales and service locations worldwide. HRP produces a wide range of steerable thrusters, which include well-mounted thrusters, retractable thrusters, tunnel thrusters and controls, available in fixed pitch, CP and CRP versions. As in previous years, HRP achieved positive sales development in 2008. HRP currently has about 250 employees worldwide.

According to Roland Heil, ZF Marine’s ceo: “With the addition of the new ZF Marine HRP company, we are now able to offer competence in the field of steerable thruster technology. We can swiftly apply HRP?s extensive propulsion know-how, for our future growth in the ‘Commercial Craft’ market segment.”

HRP, in the thruster market since 1973, designs and produces a wide range of steerable thrusters for all types of applications throughout the marine industry. Most of the workforce is located in Europe, with headquarters in Krimpen, The Netherlands. HRP also has offices and facilities in Asia, North America, South America and Middle East. The sales turnover in 2008 comprised around 30% percent in Europe and 50% in Asia.

Henk Terlouw and Jan Offerman, managing directors of HRP: “This transaction has great strategic value as it will allow HRP to expand its current customer base. ZF Marine will bring substantial additional resources for future growth in all of HRP?s product segments. There are many opportunities for incorporating HRP?s products successfully into the already broad range of ZF Marine products.”