Insinööritoimisto Comatec Oy purchased the design business of Edec Oy on 27 November 2015.The acquired business will be part of the Electromechanical Systems and Components business unit in Comatec’s Industrial Production Systems segment. This transaction strengthens Comatec Group’s knowhow especially in electrical design for the marine industry.
– Electrical engineering, electricity distribution and automation industry are some of Comatec’s most important areas of specialist knowhow. Low voltage systems and lighting design are areas in which Edec is strong. Joining forces will boost our volumes, and our areas of knowhow fit in well with each other, states business unit manager Pekka Jaakola.
– Increasing our project business is part of Comatec Group’s strategy. The acquisition of edec is a very good step in this direction, says Marko Pennanen, Vice President, Industrial Production Systems.
– After the merger, with our current volume and our own capacity we can take on larger projects covering a wider range of services. At the customer interface the benefits come from being able to design larger entities and design them more efficiently, states Pekka Jaakola.
“After completing the acquisition of Edec we can also further expand the team organically. We have obtained a unit that functions very well, and integrating this into Comatec’s existing design team is one of our most important tasks in 2016. Together we are stronger. That is why we will be able to serve a broader client base and take on larger design packages, says Marko.
Common history
Comatec and Edec share a common history. In 2005 engineering design was outsourced and some of design engineers moved to different companies at that time.
– People with a background more in high power and automation systems came to Comatec. Design engineers with more of an emphasis on navigation and low voltage systems went to Edec, says Pekka.
– Comatec’s main focus has been in the engine room with its high voltage electricity and automation systems. Edec possesses indepth knowhow in the design of lighting and low voltage systems. They have expanded their offering so that they can carry out electrical design for ships and for real estate.
– Edec and Comatec personnel have carried out extensive marine electrical design work, including for cruise ships. At the moment our design work has mainly been for ice-breaking vessels and car ferry projects, but we could for example do parts of the electrical design projects for cruise ships in Turku as well. We can offer a wide range of electrical design services for the marine sector, states Pekka.
Electrical design projects
Edec currently has an extensive order book from the Helsinki shipyard for the year ahead. Edec has been involved in designing the electrical systems for the first LNG-fuelled ice-breaker NB510 as well as in the electrical design for the multipurpose icebreakers NB511(PSV), NB512 -NB514 (SBV).
– The design work for these new build ships has included basic and detail design for the lighting, safety, navigation, communication and electricity distribution systems. The ships are being built at the Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Oy shipyard, reports Mikko Ala-Jääski, department manager, Marine and Land electrical design projects.
Another important client is Aker Arctic Techhology Oy, with whom Comatec has signed an agreement for the basic design phase for the electrical and automation systems for a harbour icebreaker based on the Aker ARC 124 concept.
The agreement arose out of the long-term cooperation between Comatec and Aker Arctic Technology Oy. Preparation for the design project obtained by Comatec began in the concept phase for the ARC 124.
The future
– In line with our strategy we aim to offer larger total packages to our clients. Our goal is that in future we could take on responsibility for the total design for a certain area, not just for the electrical and automation design for the whole ship. The engine room, for example. But we intend to remain a service provider, so we will not be offering turnkey deliveries. A contractor for one area might, however, be looking for a strong design partner for their contract. Comatec could be that partner, says Marko.
Electrical design –
opening up international markets
Electrical design for the marine sector is one of the spearhead products in Comatec’s Industrial Production Systems business segment. We aim first of all to strengthen our market position in the domestic market, but we will also be looking at international markets for the design of ship electrical and automation systems, for example at shipyards in the vicinity of the Baltic Sea. We are looking to raise market awareness by taking part in the international SMM 2016 trade fair for the marine industry to be held in Hamburg 6 – 9 September 2016, reports Marko.
– From edec’s viewpoint, it is exciting to be part of the process for developing Comatec’s international operations and project business, states Mikko.
AUTHOR: TAINA SYRJÄNEN
