Finnish propulsion firm to establish manufacturing plant in Brazil

Finnish marine power and propulsion manufacturer, Wärtsilä, has announced plans to construct a new fully-owned manufacturing facility in Brazil, investing EUR 20 million in the project.

The manufacturing premises will be based on a multi-product factory concept for the assembly and testing of Wärtsilä generating sets and propulsion products. The company says that manufacturing will initially focus on medium-sized, medium-speed generating sets and steerable thrusters, with the possibility to expand the product range to respond to market needs.

The company said in the statement that the new factory was being constructed in response to increasing market demand, particularly in the offshore market.

Björn Rosengren, President & CEO of Wärtsilä Corporation, says: "Wärtsilä's global strategy is to be close to its customers. Our presence in Brazil is now further strengthened to respond to the on-going demand for Wärtsilä power solutions, and to meet the set local content requirements.”

The new manufacturing plant will be located some 300 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro in the Açu Superport Industrial Complex.

The 4000 square meter plant will be situated on its own waterfront and quay with construction scheduled to commence in April 2013. The company anticipates the factory to be in operation by mid-2014, with close to 100 jobs being created.

The construction of the plant is part of a clear growth strategy being instigated by Wärtsilä in Brazil. Last month, the company relocated a marine services workshop to Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, where a larger capacity will enable the company to cope with increased demand for its services.