VIKING CEO Henrik Uhd Christensen
VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S has announced it has acquired a part of Australia-based Wiltrading Pty Ltd.’s maritime safety equipment activities effective 1 September. The move strengthens VIKING’s offering in Australasia, adding 4 locations to the company’s global network of wholly-owned servicing stations as well as several products and services, bringing new advantages for shipowners and offshore operators in the region.
A subsidiary of Wilh. Wilhelmsen Investments (WWI), Wiltrading offers integrated activities in marine safety, fire fighting and protection, equipment and servicing, serving the offshore, oil and gas, shipping, military and cruise industries. The company is an authorised representative and service partner for a wide variety of maritime and offshore equipment producers.
Under the new agreement, selected safety equipment and servicing activities previously managed by Wiltrading will be seamlessly integrated into the global VIKING organization, offered and serviced locally, whereas remaining activities will be carried out in close cooperation between the two. VIKING’s CEO, Henrik Uhd Christensen, welcomes the new addition to his company’s constantly expanding worldwide presence and the growth opportunities it provides in the region:
Servicing under VIKING Shipowner Agreement
“We’ve worked in close partnership with Wiltrading for several years, ” he said. “They are a professional organization with a strong, service-minded approach to customers – something that makes these activities and the people who operate them an excellent fit for VIKING. We strive to be close to our customers, so we can support their competitiveness with fixed prices, flexibility and fast delivery no matter where they operate.”
At the same time General Manager of Wiltrading, Michael Connolly is pleased that VIKING and Wiltrading can continue their respective growth activities, for example through their popular VIKING Shipowner Agreements:
“With the VIKING Shipowner Agreement rapidly winning favour in the market, and plans for even more capabilities in the future, VIKING has much to offer Wiltrading’s customers and staff. We have always had a great deal of respect for the company, and are really looking forward to leveraging VIKING’s global network resources.”
Brian Jacobsen has been appointed Country Manager for VIKING Australia. He is a former VIKING sales and marketing director, and started the company’s Singapore office several years ago. He has recently returned to VIKING.
About Wiltrading
Established in 1986, Wiltrading provides and services a wide range of lifeboats and davits, liferafts, lifejackets, through to fire and breathing air systems, in many cases holding Australian distribution rights for leading marine life saving appliances and brands. Today, the company is present in major Australian ports including Dampier, Fremantle, Sydney, Brisbane and Townsville and Darwin – and offers flying squads of service engineers available for deployment throughout Australia, New Zealand and into the Pacific.
About VIKING
VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S is a global market leader in maritime and offshore safety, providing and servicing safety and fire-fighting equipment for passenger and cargo ships, offshore installations, fishing vessels, the navy, fire departments and leisure yachts.
VIKING is a privately held corporation founded in 1960 with group headquarters in Esbjerg, Denmark. Products are manufactured in Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria and Thailand. VIKING offers a broad range of off-the-shelf and tailored safety solutions and systems certified in accordance with the latest requirements of the IMO, SOLAS, EU and USCG.
The product portfolio includes chute and slide-based marine and offshore evacuation and crew transfer systems, liferafts, lifejackets, immersion suits, fire suits, work suits, pilot suits, helicopter transportation suits, MOB boats, davits, pilot ladders, signs, and other lifesaving appliances. The VIKING Agreements offer uniquely customizable concepts that incorporate safety products, global servicing, single-source management, and financing in a variety of fixed price structures.
With 2, 000 employees worldwide, the unique VIKING network of branch offices, agents, 270 certified servicing stations and worldwide stock points makes VIKING a truly global provider at convenient locations in all significant markets.
